RE: A scared mom -

[Guest guest]

Hi,Thanks for the links, I will do more reading. and thanks for confirming for me what my momma bear insticts have been screaming. There is something else going on. is pretty much destitute at this point and sleeping on my couch most of the time. I am 99% sure he is not using. He's a funny little addict. He is generally honest about if he is using or not if you ask him straight up. He is so scared right now, I really think he knows he can't use. I think after 4 months the withdrawal should be gone. He was also diagnosed with Mono at the same time in January. and we may still be dealing with that as well. What happened was he checked himself into detox. His lab came back with liver enzymes were 2200 and 2250 and detox rushed him right over to the hospital. They kept him for 5 days, ran tests (but no liver biopsy) and then sent him home with the diagnosis. Also, a year ago, he also spent 4 days in the hospital. He had high fever, chills, exteme body aches and they never did find out what it was. The official discharge was bronchitis but no hospital keeps an uninsured person for 4 days for bronchitis. I wonder now if it was related. I still think we don't know fully what we are dealing with. We are going with him on his next doctors visit wich isnt until May. I am trying to get him to go back in now! In any event, I will get a copy of his labs. Thanks for all your help.

[Guest guest]

Hi

Sorry for being so late today in responding - Wednesdays I have several doctor appmts to go to.

From what you said about your sons condition, I too feel that something else is going on with your son's physical health.

Exactly what, I do not know.

This is why I suggest going back to the doctor ASAP, and trying to find more answers - right now.

Your son's health issues my very well be connected to the mono that he was DX'd with last Janurary.

Mono can be a lingering type of illness, with many symptoms.

I had mono as a teen, but do not remember much about it.

If I remember correctly, I was ill a long time.

I was also a IV and drug user at that time also, and this is likely how I caught HCV [but most people dont ever know how they really got infected].

I did some searching, and found that in many cases Mono and Hepatitis may be connected.

I will have to do more reading to try to fully understand how this connection works.

Click this link -

http://search./search?ei=utf-8 & fr=slv8-tyc8 & p=hepatitis%20c%20and%20mono & type=

I have not heard of liver enzymes being as high as 2200 & 2250, so I am not sure what these numbers you give mean.

There are 4 types of liver enzymes - AST [sGOT], ALT [sGPT], AP, and GGT.

Here are a couple of articles about liver enzymes -

http://liverdisease.com/liverenzymes_hepatitis.html

http://www.herbalprovider.com/liver-enzymes.html?src=ggl & w=liver-enzymes

, the withdrawl symptoms from addictions affects different people in different ways.

- The immediate cravings, and/or illnesses associated with drug withdrawl may be short term.

But that is not the end of the story.

- There are the longer term cravings, and related symptoms - depression, mood swings, etc. - that may take many years/decades to get past.

And many many 'triggers'.

I used IV drugs [heroin, speed, downers] from the middle 1960's until the middle 1970's.

I used downers [barbiturates], and psychedelics from the 1960's until somewhere around the 1980's ???

I used alcohol [whiskey] from my teen years until I totally quit around 1980.

I used POT from about 1963 until 2008.

I have smoked tobacco since I was 8, and still do at 60 [quitting is hard].

Then there are also other addictions - sugar, sex, thrills, TV/computers, work, and so forth.

I am an old hippy musician, but I used to be a BIG TIME addict.

I might still be in some ways.

I am amazed, and thank God that I am still alive, and still in pretty good health [all things concidered].

[There must have been an army of Angels watching over me.] :-)

Its not easy quitting an addiction, and even now I still crave certain 'highs' after being clean for years or decades.

Your son has just begun this journey, and I pray that he can be strong, and make it.

- He is physically, mentally, and emotionally trying to quit use.

- He is suffering from something [mono???], that is making him physically ill.

- He has had the crap scared out of him with his HCV diagnosis.

All these things piled on top of - living at home again as an adult, no means of support [shame], and loss of the friends/lifestyle that he once knew, is a very hard road to walk.

I have no doubt that he is battling extreme depression, racing thoughts, self-esteem issues, and mood swings.

He is going to need a lot of love, and positive support.

I dont envy yours, and his fathers job as caretakers.

This is a major war that will, at times, upset everyone involved.

The main needs for all of you right now, I think are -

- love and positive support

- good medical care

- a good diet and lots of liquids

- plenty of rest and exercise

- perhaps some health boosting suppliments

- someone to talk to that is not opinionated, or judgemental

[This may be each other, or outside help.]

- the belief/faith that any problem can usually be solved, and that there are answers

- some sort of diversion - hobbies, TV, gardening, bike riding, fishing...something, so that each of you can take an occasional break from the stresses involved.

I say this because all of you are involved - patient and caregivers.

, it is very important that your son understands, and is constantly reminded, that alcohol and all drug use are very bad for someone with any liver disease.

I strongly stress this point.

You all will be in my prayers, and I will be blasting each of you with love and everything good.

Remember - there is always a lot of HOPE.

love

don in ks

From: Tice <linda@...>Subject: RE: [ ] A scared mom - " " < >Date: Wednesday, April 6, 2011, 11:12 AM

Hi,

Thanks for the links, I will do more reading. and thanks for confirming for me what my momma bear insticts have been screaming. There is something else going on.

is pretty much destitute at this point and sleeping on my couch most of the time. I am 99% sure he is not using. He's a funny little addict. He is generally honest about if he is using or not if you ask him straight up. He is so scared right now, I really think he knows he can't use. I think after 4 months the withdrawal should be gone. He was also diagnosed with Mono at the same time in January. and we may still be dealing with that as well. What happened was he checked himself into detox. His lab came back with liver enzymes were 2200 and 2250 and detox rushed him right over to the hospital. They kept him for 5 days, ran tests (but no liver biopsy) and then sent him home with the diagnosis.

Also, a year ago, he also spent 4 days in the hospital. He had high fever, chills, exteme body aches and they never did find out what it was. The official discharge was bronchitis but no hospital keeps an uninsured person for 4 days for bronchitis. I wonder now if it was related. I still think we don't know fully what we are dealing with.

We are going with him on his next doctors visit wich isnt until May. I am trying to get him to go back in now! In any event, I will get a copy of his labs. Thanks for all your help.

[Guest guest]

Hi,Thanks so much for the link! The enzymes were the SGOT and the SGPT and the doctors and nurses were visibly concerned. They remained that elevated for a day and a half before they got them to come significantly. Thanks for your kind words. Addiction is a family disease. I have 22 years clean, his dad almost 13 yrs clean. was raised up around recovery and rebelled like so many of us do. Its already been a hard road watching his process and not being able to do anything to stop it. We both work with addicts new in recovery every day, and we could never help him. Last year, his dad and I got back from a recovery convention to find him passed out on our patio. The next day I had a talk with him about the road he was on. Hep C was mentioned. I feel kinda guilty about that now. I think he needs a liver biopsy. The reason is that over the past few years we have watched his tolerance fall to where one or two beers and he was slurring his words. I was worried about his liver a year ago before this dx. Thanks again for all your help and all the links, I am checking out everything. From: [mailto: ] On Behalf Of ChristSent: Wednesday, April 06, 2011 7:17 PM Subject: RE: [ ] A scared mom - Hi Sorry for being so late today in responding - Wednesdays I have several doctor appmts to go to. From what you said about your sons condition, I too feel that something else is going on with your son's physical health.Exactly what, I do not know.This is why I suggest going back to the doctor ASAP, and trying to find more answers - right now. Your son's health issues my very well be connected to the mono that he was DX'd with last Janurary.Mono can be a lingering type of illness, with many symptoms.I had mono as a teen, but do not remember much about it.If I remember correctly, I was ill a long time.I was also a IV and drug user at that time also, and this is likely how I caught HCV [but most people dont ever know how they really got infected]. I did some searching, and found that in many cases Mono and Hepatitis may be connected.I will have to do more reading to try to fully understand how this connection works.Click this link -http://search./search?ei=utf-8 & fr=slv8-tyc8 & p=hepatitis%20c%20and%20mono & type= I have not heard of liver enzymes being as high as 2200 & 2250, so I am not sure what these numbers you give mean.There are 4 types of liver enzymes - AST [sGOT], ALT [sGPT], AP, and GGT.Here are a couple of articles about liver enzymes -http://liverdisease.com/liverenzymes_hepatitis.html http://www.herbalprovider.com/liver-enzymes.html?src=ggl & w=liver-enzymes , the withdrawl symptoms from addictions affects different people in different ways.- The immediate cravings, and/or illnesses associated with drug withdrawl may be short term.But that is not the end of the story.- There are the longer term cravings, and related symptoms - depression, mood swings, etc. - that may take many years/decades to get past.And many many 'triggers'. I used IV drugs [heroin, speed, downers] from the middle 1960's until the middle 1970's.I used downers [barbiturates], and psychedelics from the 1960's until somewhere around the 1980's ???I used alcohol [whiskey] from my teen years until I totally quit around 1980.I used POT from about 1963 until 2008.I have smoked tobacco since I was 8, and still do at 60 [quitting is hard]. Then there are also other addictions - sugar, sex, thrills, TV/computers, work, and so forth.I am an old hippy musician, but I used to be a BIG TIME addict.I might still be in some ways.I am amazed, and thank God that I am still alive, and still in pretty good health [all things concidered].[There must have been an army of Angels watching over me.] :-) Its not easy quitting an addiction, and even now I still crave certain 'highs' after being clean for years or decades.Your son has just begun this journey, and I pray that he can be strong, and make it.- He is physically, mentally, and emotionally trying to quit use.- He is suffering from something [mono???], that is making him physically ill.- He has had the crap scared out of him with his HCV diagnosis.All these things piled on top of - living at home again as an adult, no means of support [shame], and loss of the friends/lifestyle that he once knew, is a very hard road to walk. I have no doubt that he is battling extreme depression, racing thoughts, self-esteem issues, and mood swings.He is going to need a lot of love, and positive support.I dont envy yours, and his fathers job as caretakers.This is a major war that will, at times, upset everyone involved. The main needs for all of you right now, I think are -- love and positive support- good medical care- a good diet and lots of liquids- plenty of rest and exercise- perhaps some health boosting suppliments - someone to talk to that is not opinionated, or judgemental[This may be each other, or outside help.]- the belief/faith that any problem can usually be solved, and that there are answers- some sort of diversion - hobbies, TV, gardening, bike riding, fishing...something, so that each of you can take an occasional break from the stresses involved. I say this because all of you are involved - patient and caregivers. , it is very important that your son understands, and is constantly reminded, that alcohol and all drug use are very bad for someone with any liver disease.I strongly stress this point. You all will be in my prayers, and I will be blasting each of you with love and everything good.Remember - there is always a lot of HOPE. lovedon in ksFrom: Tice <linda@...>Subject: RE: [ ] A scared mom - " " < >Date: Wednesday, April 6, 2011, 11:12 AM Hi,Thanks for the links, I will do more reading. and thanks for confirming for me what my momma bear insticts have been screaming. There is something else going on. is pretty much destitute at this point and sleeping on my couch most of the time. I am 99% sure he is not using. He's a funny little addict. He is generally honest about if he is using or not if you ask him straight up. He is so scared right now, I really think he knows he can't use. I think after 4 months the withdrawal should be gone. He was also diagnosed with Mono at the same time in January. and we may still be dealing with that as well. What happened was he checked himself into detox. His lab came back with liver enzymes were 2200 and 2250 and detox rushed him right over to the hospital. They kept him for 5 days, ran tests (but no liver biopsy) and then sent him home with the diagnosis. Also, a year ago, he also spent 4 days in the hospital. He had high fever, chills, exteme body aches and they never did find out what it was. The official discharge was bronchitis but no hospital keeps an uninsured person for 4 days for bronchitis. I wonder now if it was related. I still think we don't know fully what we are dealing with. We are going with him on his next doctors visit wich isnt until May. I am trying to get him to go back in now! In any event, I will get a copy of his labs. Thanks for all your help.