Petechaise anyone?

[pb9902]

Hi first of all great forum full of honest, helpful people! I've been reading it for months but this is my first post.

I'm a 35-year-old male who's been drinking too much. Typically 50-100 units per week. It's been 24 months since I last had LFT's which all returned normal.

The only symptoms which lead me to think there's something wrong are these small red pin prick spots. I have about 60 on my arms, chest and belly. Some so utterly minute you can bearly see them. They started about 6 months ago and have been increasing at a rate of about another 1 or 2 per week. Thankfully no other liver markers like jaundice. I've three weeks sobriety behind me and I wish and plan to stay this way.

Just wanna ask some QQ's.

1. Has anyone else experienced this?

2. Should I be taking vitamins?

3. Should I be expected a Cirrhosis diagnosis when I pluck up the courage to see my doctor?

[Hidden]

Alcohol metabolization burns through Vitamin-C and a deficiency of this is known to be associated with petechiae. If your gums bleed when you brush your teeth, this is another manifestation of Vitamin-C deficiency.

35 would be fairly young to see alcoholic cirrhosis in a male, but not impossible. I'm betting you're not in serious trouble at this point, but you do need to go in for some new labs.

Hope to hear some good news from you soon!

[Hidden]

Do these spots resemble cherry angiomas? If so, that could be a symptom of liver disease. I have lots of them all over my body. Go and have yourself check. Giving up alcohol was a smart choice. I wouldn't necessarily take vitamins unless you are seriously deficient, in which case you take them short-term. Your doctor can test some of your vitamins levels in blood. Long-term, having a balanced diet with lost of veggies and fruit will be more beneficial.

I don't know about cirrhosis but that can be tested as well: USG, fibroscan. You may have some patches of cirrhosis but if I remember correctly - as long as they are not connected it is good.

[pb9902 in reply to Hidden]

Got about 3 which I would class as cherries (raised in nature) the rest are bleeds below the skin.

I check my arms and torso about 50 times per day. When it's cold the red dots stand out against my pale white skin. Makes me ultra paranoid!

[sunnysmile]

cherry angis are not a specific sign of liver damage. I have them and so does my hubs who hardly drinks. My mum had them and lived to 84 and never had liver probs at all. Where they are more of a concern is when they have the spider legs attached to them as in spider nevu.

[Woodystar]

I have lots of them around my torso in the liver area. They spring up in clusters then turn brown. My GP said they were a sign of aging but I'm not convinced as they are only in this one area.