Long term drinker

[Bazh]

Hi all,

Came across this forum after researching liver problems, which I may or may not have.

I have been drinking socially for almost 55 years infact since I was 18. I would say during that period there have not been many days i have not had a drink. Never had a problem until 3 months ago.

Started with gastric reflux and discomfort when swallowing. Endoscopy was fine, bloods, liver function ok. Now I have slight discomfort in my right side below rib cage, which is aggravated by alcohol, also constipation and anxiety and a fuzzy sort of feeling in my head, (which could be caused by anxiety). I am quite active 3 or 4 mile walk on most days. Now I drink very little maybe a couple of cans of beer a week. Should I give up completely?

[Hidden]

Hi Bazh.

Yes please do. Well done, you've managed to cut down so dramatically, there is no reason to continue drinking so little. Get shot of it all now and for good. Give your liver the best possible chance of a full recovery and lose that fuzzy head feeling which causes anxiety and clouds rational thinking. You can still be sociable and have a good time on soft drinks and the best bit is youll be able to remember what a great evening you had the following morning without the pounding headache and your head down the loo!

All the very best and look after yourself

Laura

[Bazh]

Thanks Laura for your reply. I have been lucky to drink for so long without a problem, but I think my luck is maybe beginning to run out. So I will heed your advice.

All the very best to you also.

[Hidden in reply to Bazh]

Hi Bazh

Welcome.

Laura talks good sense but you don’t need me to tell you that!

You are not alone in your issues on here. I drank for 46 years, since 15 (lived in the West Indies when young - lax laws - it was great ( at the time 😁)) but then my liver started to misbehave - naughty Lived, but poor Liver 😭. After about 3 years of this, in 2017, it said I’ve had enough of this for a game of soldiers it’s up to you to sort out this fine mess you’ve got yourself into! In my case I was too late for my dear friend Liver. But hey ho a new lease of life, literally, by a very generous donor and his family has transformed my life in only 8 weeks. Obviously I hope you don’t get as bad as I was but just to let you know my experiences! 😁. And there’s often light at the end of the tunnel...

Oh yes - and I haven’t had any Vimto for nearly 4 years.

Good luck Bazh

Miles

🇧🇧

[Bazh in reply to Hidden]

Hi Miles, Thanks for your advice, will stay off the Vimto. Wonderful you have a new lease of life.

Good luck to you

Barry

[horsey1]

Hi you have clearly done very well so far so why not quit completely! All the research now points to alcohol in any form being bad for you. Have you tried the o alcahol beers. Good luck .

[Bazh in reply to horsey1]

Thanks horsey1, Yes I have tried the 0% alcohol beers. I think with all the good advice, I will try them again.

[Hidden in reply to Bazh]

Trouble is they don’t in my humble opinion, taste as nice as the real thing. Well they used not to when I last tried about 5 years ago lol.

🇧🇧

[Hidden]

Isn’t 0% beer like a vegetarian eating Linda McCartney’s sausages and burgers, don’t get it myself or am I alone with this?

On the grog as a heavy social drinker for 30+ years, successful career in the media did not help. Long lunches, parties, international travel, all washed down liberally. Ignored the warnings and hit the ropes. When the consultant, known to me from previous issues, said carry on and you have a short life expectancy, time to stop. Drink free now and transplanted, a new lease and chapter of life.

Good luck with everything, and listen to the medical people.