inchbald1235 years ago

Sorry. I should have read that through properly. It should read.

I am 55 and have enjoyed (too much) wine for years. Not a daily drinker but, when in company, (which is often) I have drank excessively. For some time now I have known this is not been a good thing for my health but I think I have been in denial

My stomach feels bloated, my energy levels are very low (for me) and when I eat I feel horrid. Sleep is elusive.

As it is Christmas I am unable to book in for ultrasound for a while so I thought I would ask for some advice.

I currently have a back condition which means I am on pain relief and am concerned that the paracetemol, ibuprofen and codein are exacerbating my liver’s problems. I am booked in for spinal surgery early in the year but read somewhere that blood clotting can be an issue with liver disease so am concerned that this might effect my op (which carries a high risk of bleeding)

I have stopped drinking altogether. It has only been three days but it is a start. I have been reading up as much as possible about liver disease and would really would welcome some thoughts and advice. I don’t know how serious this is yet and am scared

If it is not too late for me, I will do whatever it takes to try to help my liver recover. So far, I have discovered a book that looks very good on a liver cleansing diet. All thoughts of support and advice would be much appreciated

jojokarak5 years ago

Obviously you have done the right thing no more alcohol ... You are going to feel rotten for a while because even if you don't drink every day your body still goes through withdrawal as it has gotten used to it. Secondly don't read about anything on Dr Google , thirdly the best diet for your liver is no salt, fresh food (no ready meals and that includes sauces) and plenty of water so you don't need to buy a liver detox book, fourthly the hospital if they were majorly concerned about your levels would of advised you on what next steps were going to be e.g scan and regular bloods but the best one they can give is stop alcohol, regarding your operation if GP is concerned they will inform hospital and your clotting levels will be checked but it doesn't sound like it's going down that route. It's going to take a while for your blood levels to go down but you seem to have had a warning so take heed of this and change your lifestyle if your GP hasn't gone down the road of sending you to a heptalogist then they know you can turn this around and avoid any more damage 😊

inchbald123 in reply to jojokarak5 years ago

Thank you for your thoughts, much appreciated. Annoyingly I had my pre-op assessment before I knew about my liver problems, but I will flag it up to them and take it from there. I expect I will need to continue with the pain relief for a few weeks and then tackle the liver.

My sister is a nutritionist so I am picking her brains.

It is such a support having lovely people like you who understand and are happy to give input, so thank you.

I will book the ultrasound in this week and see where that takes us.

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Kristian5 years ago

There are loads of things that can cause the symptoms you describe and many are not liver related. So lets hope thats the case for you too.

You may be right about some of your meds and the impact on your liver. I know ibruprofen can have an effect and can raise LFTs as a result. I think a lot of anti inflammatory, and other, meds do. I don't think codeine is that friendly to you digestive system either, which may also be contributing to your symptoms. Your doctor's will be aware of these things, so if it is a concern or is causing your some discomfort, raise it with them to see if they think anything needs to change.

If you were drinking a bit too much, then cutting that right down will always be a help. Although given that you are taking a fair bit of pain relief, and probably have been for a while, alcohol is probably not a good idea whilst you are taking those. I'd certainly lay of the grogg until you're off the meds.

I have a personal view about "liver clense" type things. I think they are just a load of bunkum! But, I could be wrong. A healthy diet is never unlikely to be bad for you though, and I'm all for that.

You do ask a specific question about clotting, and yes liver disease can affect that. Certainly once cirrhosis has set in. Your doctor's will monitor that and its usually picked up in the full blood count. They'll have a look at your platelet levels to see how those are fairing. I suspect before your op they'll also check other markers of clotting such as the INR. However, having liver disease isn't necessarily a contraindication for surgery and I'm sure that they'll have protocols for patients with low platelets or a raised INR.

So, lets hope your problems are just a temporary thing and everything gets back to normal once you've recovered from your op. Once you stop the things causing the insult to your liver it can generally recover without too many long term issues. But, going easy on the alcohol is likely to remain a good idea.

Hope that's helpful and good luck with the op.

inchbald123 in reply to Kristian5 years ago

Thank you for taking the time to reply. I got the results at 5pm the day before the Christmas weekend, so it was all rather late in the day to arrange anything. I will see how the ultrasound goes and take it from there.

Annoyingly I had my pre-op assessment before I knew about my liver problems, but I will flag it up to them and take it from there. I expect I will need to continue with the pain relief for a few weeks and then tackle the liver. One day at a time!!

Your support is much appreciated, so thank you.

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O13B5 years ago

I think you need to see your GP and get your blood checked for full blood count, U+E’s, Lft’s, Clotting. I have liver failure and chronic back pain, I have had to stop all my pain meds. None of your pain killers are good for your liver! Try to eat little and often concentrate on high protein and high carb diet (I’m afraid healthy eating goes out the window). Make sure you have regular bowel movements, you may need laxatives. Good luck let me know how the tests turn out.

inchbald123 in reply to O13B5 years ago

Thank you for your response. Have been to GP. Will suggest this to him and see what he says.

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Lozzafis5 years ago

Hi im in same boat has you i have pain in my right rib area more dull feeling like a baby foot and radiates in side n bk upto my shoulder blade, im at my wits end ive had several scans which has shown slight fat, and saying grainy smooth texture i paid privately for fibroscan this again showing a bit of fat but results were F0 i am a drinker wine mainly and have tried my best to have a few nights off, i have overdone it over xmas and my atomach feels bloated and hard, im also struggling to go to toilet but i have always had a sluggish bowel, i have a lot of wind/gas too and belch quite alot, i have also been told i have a hetus hernia, im terrified that i have liver disease and the fibroscan wasnt done properly

inchbald123 in reply to Lozzafis5 years ago

Have you explored IBS? I changed my diet a year or so ago and it was a game changer.

No grains (wheat, rice, corn etc)

No dairy

No alcohol

No potato (sweet potato ok)

I did a month religiously and then eased other bits back I discovered that rice is a no no but the rest ok now (until latest issue)

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inchbald123 in reply to inchbald1235 years ago

My sister is a nutritionist and the diet she gave me changed my life as I had all the symptoms you describe

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Lozzafis5 years ago

Thanku for the reply itchbald did u have pain in the liver region alot

inchbald123 in reply to Lozzafis5 years ago

Lots of discomfort.

You should consult a nutritionist

Good luck

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