vomiting blood

[townie8394]

I'm a 46 yr. old alcoholic. This past month my drinking has gotten progressively worse. This past week, I threw up blood twice. On both occasions I hadn't eaten all day, just drank many beers. There was no stomach pain. I felt acidity in my esophagus, throat? I forced myself to eat afterward, even though I had pain swallowing. I felt fine the next day. I'm scared to death, but I'm still drinking. I know I need help but I'm scared to quit. I've already been in rehab once. Was sober for a few months and fell off the wagon again. In my 20's i was hospitalized for anorexia, bulimia. I've seen numerous therapists, psychiatrist, but I feel like I'm a lost cause. Once one addiction is tamed, the other one surfaces. All I've seen to get out of the help I've gotten is more debt. Do I have to hit bottom (god forbid what that may be) to stop. HELP!

[MJIthewriter]

If you're vomiting up blood on any occasion, run not walk to your doctor or nearest health clinic. This may be an emergency! (or at least a sign of cancer)

Vomiting blood on any occasion is a serious concern (especially with the variables you express). There should be free services available for your area to check out.

Here's some things to look up:
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/vomiting-blood/DG00045

[MJIthewriter]

As far as hitting bottom goes, you have to decide. It's easy for me to say, I think you are pretty darn close! (and definantely finding help and decide to quit would be another wise thing to do, but I think you know that already.)

[Jacker]

Your "bottom" is likely to be something irreparable if you continue drinking.  You can still have a life if you stop now.  Please, go see the doctor.  Your body is trying to tell you something.  

I'm 42 and I drank until fairly recently - it definetly caused some health problems, but it looks as if they will be manageable or reverse.  If I'd kept it up for much longer, the health issues would have been much worse.  Same thing as you... ; I drank astounding amounts of beer during the last few months of my drinking career.  

[Louise111]

My husband has drank beer for the last 40 years or so....he's 62 now, and has Stage 4 Liver Disease (Cirrhosis)....End Stage......for the last 15 years or so, he'd drink three 6-packs of Coors LIght.......in 2003 he had a Stomache Varices episode  (vomiting blood
because a vein expands with built up blood, then burst, causing the person to vomit tons of old blood........He just got out of Rehab last week.....is on 15 meds a day (a lot are vitamins, sleep aids, nutritional meds, as well as water pills, anti-depressants)  He's not drinking....hope he can stay in Stage 4 for a long while and maybe get a Liver Transplant.            Gold bless you....................don't let stupid beer be the cause of life threatening health issues.......so many illness we cannot avoid.....Alcoholic LIver Disease is preventable...................
Louise111

[townie8394]

I cried when I read your response. May God watch over you and your husband. I know Id need to stop drinking. I grew away from the Chuch but since my 25 yr. old daughter got bells palsy last month, I've turned to God for help. And help, He did because she fully recovered. I am leaving this in His hands and hope He gives me the strength to get rid of this demon I've been battling because I know I can't do it on my own. I'm new to this site.. don't know how I found it but it's so good to be able to hear other people's stories and know that I'm not the only one out there struggling. God Bless you, too.

[townie8394]

I'm new to this site and just learning the ins & outs of it. I think I sent a msg. to your personal site? If so, sorry. Thanks for caring.

[townie8394]

Just wanted to let you know that I'm new to this site and I think I sent a msg. to your personal page? If so, sorry. And also, thanks for caring

[Louise111]

You have the strength to stop drinking...it's hard, but it can be done.....I hope my husband's sobriety is not "Too Little, Too Late".....but he's never smoked or drank coffee....always was an athlete, football, baseball, golf...always walked 4 to 5 miles a day, at a quick pace....maybe God will give him one more chance, or a least 2-3 more years.  We sold our lovely home in CT and built our dream home in FL.....for our retirement....we both had great careers in Law Enforcement...he did 31 years, I did 20.  We've been down here 3 years....I'd hate to lose my husband....a beautiful house, nice cars, don't mean a thing if you lose the one you love, and who loves you.  Sorry to hear about your daughter....my friend had Bell's Palsy a few years ago....he's fine now....when he's tired, one of his eyes "droops" sort of....we just laugh and say, "oh well, guess you're tired.   Be strong, Townie......this is a wonderful life, sober, more so than with a 'buzz'......my husband is naturally a quiet guy, a little shy, not a great public speaker....he thought drinking made him the "life of the party", a funny guy....very sociable and talkative....but you know, most everyone said that they like him better, quiet and reserved....more respectable, not that he was ever nasty....just to corny, especially at weddings....he'd want to dance with all the gals......they would to humor him.....but you can tell when someone thinks "too much is too much".... Anyway, I'll wish you the best of luck.  No one knows our fate on this earth....only our Almighty Father, so celebrate each day, enjoy the moment, do not dwell on the past, nor obsess about the future.  Take each day slowly and simply.  God bless.  Hope to hear from you.  This site gives me comfort to be able to speak with other folks with the same issues of concern.
Sincerely,
Louise111

[MJIthewriter]

You're welcome. I sent you a message  back.  Though I cannot fully relate to your experiance, I do try to reach out and help people in general. I'm a writer and through my research, I've come to read several stories both sad and inspiring. From what I've read, some people thought they were hopeless, but found faith in something and worked hard at it. Having faith in a higher power seems to really help those people who have shared their stories I've read.

[Louise111]

I just re-read your first posting.....even though you vomitted blood.....that is a subtle sign.  My husband used vomitg a little blood,  had acidity in stomach for a long time; he used to take "Gaviscon" like it was candy....that was at least 10 years ago.....if he quit drinking back then (at age 52) he'd be in great health now.....if whatever damage he did to his liver back then was not more serious than a 'fatty' liver, then his quality of life would be normal now....fatty liver is probably a Stage 1 Liver Disease condition....then it gets worse....Fibrosis, Hepatitic, Cirrhosis......the Liver is the only organ in the body that can 're-juvenate' itself, provided it's not too far gone, like Cirrhosis.  So, if you are just starting to throw up a little blood.....then you can still stop drinking and get healthy.  You're still young, heck, I'm 56 and 46 seems like yesterday.   In 10 years, you'll be 56, and you'll say that you've been sober and healthy for 10 years.  It's not easy, probably the hardest thing you will ever do in your life, but the most important thing you will ever do.  You will treat your body like a temple, in homage to God, who gave you life.  He only gave us one body, one set of organs, one 'trip' on this earth....some of us stay longer thans others, don't know how God plans it that way, or why, but that's how it is.  We have to treasure each moment on this earth, for we will never "pass this way again".  We will never 'repeat' March 10, 2003, for example!!!  God Bless, stay strong.  Talk to you soon.
Fondly,
Louise111

[susieq87]

It could be a bleeding ulcer, very serious stuff.  You'll quit when you have decided enough is enough.  I don't feel you necessary have to go back into treatment.  Go to AA Get a Sponsor.

[Jacker]

I sent you a message back - have a great day.  I'll keep you in my prayers.  

[townie8394]

Hello Louise! So nice to hear from you again. I don't know if you've ever had an alcohol problem or not but I really don't know if I have the strength to stop drinking. I am not myself, I am not who I want to be, I want to LIVE my life but I feel this disease as a demon that has a very strong hold on me. I feel ashamed I can't resist him...maybe helpless or just giving in to him. I don't know if I've told you that I have been to MANY therapists, psychiatrists...rehab....I am a single parent and feel so alone, no one to confide in so please feel blessed that you have a husband, a soulmate, a best friend to go through life with. So celebrate each day with your husband, enjoy every moment with him, don't dwell on the past or obsess about the future. Take each day slowly and simply and enjoy and relish everyday you have with your husband. Don't take anything for granted and feel blessed with what God has given you. Lots of love and prayers...Townie.

[MJIthewriter]

Just wondering how things are going. I haven't heard from you. I hope things are getting better.

[townie8394]

Hello! Went to the doc's, had an endoscopic procedure. Everything is fine, no ulcer, nothing. Made a decision today to stop drinking. Have a plan in place and taking it one day at a time. Hope all is well with you.

[working dog]

you better be carefull...i stopped while living alone and had no help..nothing...no drugs to ease the anxiety ..not a thing...i would never tell anyone that has a bad drinking problem to try and stop on their own...you should have someone near you the first couple weeks...i don't know how much you were drinking but if you were drinking a lot for some time i would get to a doctor before the third day...get some help...sounds like you've had it with the drinking and thats great..thats where you have to be to stop...but next thing is get help...i had terrible withdrawals...at about 6 months a lot of my symptoms went away...still had some though..after 9 months i started feeling much better...after a year i felt normal most of the time...but from the third day till the end of the 1st month most nights i wasn't sure if i would make it...i hope you make it townie and never go back..life is so much better without drinking...good luck...billy

[MJIthewriter]

I'm glad to hear that you got it before anything serious happened. I'm also glad that you've made a decision. It sounds like things are on their way to getting better, although, like working dog said, it would be good to get help and support from real life people around you.

[ibizan]

My friend workingdog knows what he speaketh!he has went thru a rough stint....and doing well.....at first stopping is hell....but then we repair or we die eventually and the real work is staying stopped!So many giving u good comments specially Louise111!

[MJIthewriter]

I wanted to say thinks for your kind note and update. I'm glad you're looking at the links I sent you, especially that one forum. There seem to be some very supportive people. It sounds encouraging that you're getting back into AA.

[STENTON]

Hi Townie,
              I am brand new to this site, and I am delighted I have found it. Like yourself I have battled with alcohol for years, have seen Councillors, Therapists,been to A.A meetings, Councill addiction, I have been detoxed 5 times , have been on acomprasate. Finally collapsed a month ago, couldn,t eat couldn,t sleep, I was so dehydrated, My body was starting to shut down. I went into hospital, had horrible  withdrawel symptoms, in fact I had to have 8 intravenous drips to try to hydrate me. To be honest that was a month ago, and I feel so much better, Thank goodness I managed to get to hospital, or I may not have been here to tell the tail. My liver is now starting to damage and I have been told I must keep off the drink or I will Die..... So doc is cheking my liver again on Friday to see how it fairs and then I am going to start  taking DISULIFRAM.... ANTABUSE..  ...
      Will keep you posted.. You stick in there townie, keep trying.... Don,t give up...I know how hard it is.., but things will only get worse if you keep on drinking... I,m sure everyone on this site will back you all the way , including me

[3kidsandamommy]

I watched my Dad die from years of drinking... about 7 years ago.  He was a beer drinker too.  He died a month and 1 day after his 56th birthday...he never got to meet his grandchildren.

I still have really troubling images in my head from his last 3 months alive.  He started having seizures, he couldn't keep a job, he vomited blood.  His liver and kidneys were failing.  My sister and brother found him on the floor of his trailor almost dead.  He had soiled himself and we don't know how long he had been there since he lived by himself.  When they got to the hospital the doctors didn't think he would make it out of ICU.  As his children, we had to make the horrible decision as to whether or not he would be resuscitated.  He lived for 3 months, but they were difficult months.  He hallucinated terribly through detox.  They had to restrain him because he thought the tubes hooked to him were snakes and he constantly pulled them out.  He didn't recognize us at times.  He vomited buckets of blood in the hospital. His body swelled up with fluid (because of his failing organs) so much so that his skin would tear and it made him look as if he were pregnant.  And all those toxins in his body weren't being filtered by his liver and kidneys, so they made him very confused.

His last month alive was lived in a nursing home.  By then he was clear-headed and he hated being there.  He was the youngest person there, but he was dying and we couldn't take care of him.  My husband and I came into town to see him (at that time we didn't know it would be his last weekend) and my husband couldn't believe what he saw.  He said my dad looked like he had spent a year in a concentration camp.  He was skin and bones.  Less than a week later he would die.  My sister was there when he gasped for his last breath.  

I tell you this because I hope the reality of this will motivate you to do whatever it takes to recover and get help.  It's too late for my dad, but it's not too late for you.  You are not a lost cause!  You are a mother and your child (children) need you.  I wish I still had my dad.

You know, I don't believe anything happens by accident.  I found your posting because my son is sick (vomiting) and I was looking up info for him when I found you.

Don't just pray...plead with God...cry out to him multiple times a day!  He knows you...He knows your name, townie. He knows all the hurts you've experienced and when others have let you down.  His eye is on the sparrow and His eye is on you, townie.

Children, no matter what age, want and need, a sober parent.  If you are able to read this there is still time for you.  Alcohol and drugs only strain relationships...precious relationships.  When I visit my dad's grave site I can only imagine....what if?  I love you and I'll be praying for you!

[Jacker]

Thank you for the post.  There are times when I want to convince myself that my former lifestyle of drinking was "no big deal", and it wouldn't hurt me to try it again.  The truth is, the last few years have really flown by, and if I was to take up my habit again I could end up on the same boat as your father.  I don't want to go back there  again and I really don't want to die that way.  Your story is a powerful motivator.  

[working dog]

3 kids good sad story..thanks..and jacker hang in there.....keep this thing behind you...good luck...billy

[JDM211097]

Hi Guys im 14, This day that i am writing this is the third time my dad has vomited blood, In my opinion my father drinks way more than the people here do..... He drinks 4 liters of wine in one day and a bottle of whiskey or vodka or bourbon. As a child it's traumatizing, But for me i guess im super weird and for some reason i do not feel sad for my father instead i find hatred in my self. He know it's his final stage yet he drinks. He wants to stop cold turkey but his failed on multiple ocassions. I really dont know what will happen all i know is that he'll either live or die...  Oh he started drinking since he was 16 and now he is 54 years of age

[Sandiego1234]

You should look into Al Anon - it helps me tame my hatred tremendously