Alcoholism, Prescription Drugs, And A Sedentary Lifestyle

[naomi24]

An almost totally reclusive, overweight 66 year old woman who has never suffered a serious physical illness, taking prescription drugs (for the past 40 years) for panic attacks, drinking a bottle of vodka a day, and rarely moving from a lying position on the sofa. How long do you think that can continue before it has serious repercussions upon her physical health?

[grasscarp]

I was going to add an answer here Naomi, - God knows - but I didnt think you would appreciate me saying so!

[ummmm]

It's an individual thing. I know people that should have been dead years ago but they're still here, having whiskey for breakfast, as they have done for as long as I can remember.

It really is 'how long is a piece of string'

[naomi24]

grasscarp, Why not? It's a common enough phrase. I use it myself.

[naomi24]

ummmm, yes, I know. Perhaps I shouldn't have posted the question. Daft really, but I am so very worried about her.

Thanks for your answers everyone. They are appreciated.

[ummmm]

Is she eating and drinking non alcoholic fluids?

[naomi24]

She eats, and when not drinking vodka drinks black coffee.

[mazie]

I have a friend who was always worried about his Grandma. After every shift (Police force) he would call in and see her day or night. The reason for his visit was that she used to drink a bottle of whisky a day. All the family worried about her but she was as happy as Larry. She passed away last year, she was 94. So, who knows naomi.. Is she unhappy?

[naomi24]

mazie, no, she's not unhappy. She's doing what she wants to do.

[ummmm]

I'd leave her to it. Encourage the husband to get out and about so she doesn't isolate him.

[mazie]

I'd leave her to it then naomi and try not to worry. She's doing what she wants to.

[grasscarp]

I can think of worse ways to go!

[naomi24]

I know you're right, ladies - there's little else we can do - but it's so awful to watch someone who used to be so vibrant self-destructing. Thank you all.

[atalanta]

I am astonished that she has reached her present age without already suffering from very serious problems. However, I feel such problems are probably silently creeping up on her, and I guess that symptoms will not be long appearing. Any chance that ( say) angina pains, shortness of breath, etc would change her attitude - even slightly ?

[Peter Pedant]

um if she has done that for 40 y
then another forty I would have thought ......

[ummmm]

Errr...Naomi has said she's lived a good life so I very much doubt this has been going on for years and years.

[Mamyalynne]

In these situations it is always harder for those that care, they are largely helpless unless or until the person admits they need help to change.

So sorry to hear this about your friend Naomi.

[Peter Pedant]

OK: Iwas wrong. she has been drinking for forty years and not drinking vodka for forty years at the same time

this makes perfect sense to at least some of the AB population

[Mamyalynne]

Peter

Naomi replied...

// She's been taking the prescription drugs for 40 years, but the excessive drinking and the reclusive, sedentary lifestyle began only a few years ago. //


That is why some understand it.

[naomi24]

Mamyalynne, thank you. That is what I said.

atalanta, she moves so rarely I'm not sure she would notice shortness of breath. She is on medication for high blood pressure too though and she's quite overweight - at a guess I'd say about 5 or 6 stones. I just don't know how her body can sustain it all long term.

[tamborine]

Look at skin/eye iris yellowing, grey stools, black bruises & dehydration for cirrhosis. My OH had same 6mts before death. He also liked black coffee & surrepticiously added vodka.

http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Cirrhosis/Pages/Symptoms.aspx