Please help... operation on alcoholic

[sweetmonkey]

Hi all

I just wondered if anyone could give me any advice please.

My mum has been an alcoholic for about 12 years and in the last 3 or 4 her health has really deteriorated. she has developed Osteoporosis (sp?) due to her addiction to the drink and last year alone broke both arms and her ankle all on diff occassions.

She fell over 5 weeks ago and broke her shoulder and went back today for xray and they have said it hasnt healed at all and they want her to go home pack a bag and go back later to have an op tomorrow to put a pin in.

I am just wondering how dangerous it is, given that she is so frail and that her organs are so badly affected by the booze.

also how long do you think they will keep her in hosp for?

I have tried every option to get her help but she just doesnt want to know. She wont admit she has a prob and as much as she hurts me she is still my mum
Sorry for all the questions i am just really worried
thanks

Are the hospital aware of her drinking problem?

I think they would prob be able to tell from her notes as she has taken a few overdoses in the past and they have dried her out 3 times. But each time she leaves the hosp she goes straight to the pub.

I'm sure from her notes they would be able to tell she was intoxicated each time.

It's just so frustrating

Sweetmonkey - what a wonderful daughter you are.

The hospital need to be aware of her alcoholism (whcih they probably are) but if not, somehow, you need to tell them.

I cannot advise from a medical perspective (I am a sufferer not a doctor) but my main concerns would be to do with the pain relief and anaesthetic. Long term alcohol abuse affects the way our body processes 'drugs' such as these and she may need a higher dose.

Good luck and let us know how she gets on. Nx

thanks so much. I will let them know. She has been moaning that the painkillers they gave her weren't working but i think that is because the hosp are too afraid to give her strong ones in case she od's on them and the alcohol

Yes i completely agree, you should deffo mention something just so they are aware, they not be thorough enough to go through her notes.

If she is alcohol dependant , it is very important that they know, particularly as she could go into alcohol withdrawal. They will probably need to give her benzodiazepines to manage her withdrawal ( if they know what they are doing) ...but it is an inherently difficult area ( to manage people with substance misuse problems who are also physically unwell).

Her alcohol problem will make the healing/recovery process slower . I would contact the GP/ward/consultant with your concerns. They won't be able to share any info with you - but at least they will have the knowledge that your mum is a drinker.

THank you all. Once i find out which ward she is on i will give them a call.

My grandparents are away (my grandpa has parkinsons and prostate cancer) so it is down to me to sort out. I wouldnt want to stress them out anyway as it makes him worse

so its a lose lose situation really. plus i am going on hol next week - my first one for 4 years

Just wish i could get her the help she needs, she just wont take it

sorry this sounds like a sob story. it isnt meant to

sweetmonkey - you are doing so well. And your love for her shines through. All you can do , is do your best. Talk to the hospital and let them know how things stand. HUGS x

thank you. will do
x

just had another thoouhght - al anon might have some advice for you. Cant do links but google them

Good luck Nx

I have spoken to them before. I have tried arranging injections which should stop her drinking, councelling etc but she just doesnt want to know.

I will phone the hosp once i know which ward she is on
x

Just wanted to thank you all for your help. i went and saw her in hosp last night and told the nurses about her. i told them i knew it would prob all be in her notes but i just wanted to check for peace of mind.

She's due to go down to theatre any time, so i will phone this afternoon to see how it went

thanks again
x

Just wanted to thank you all for your help. i went and saw her in hosp last night and told the nurses about her. i told them i knew it would prob all be in her notes but i just wanted to check for peace of mind.

She's due to go down to theatre any time, so i will phone this afternoon to see how it went

thanks again
x