32 year old male, told by doctor the usually cut back drinking, been a heavy drinker since 18 and last year really heavy due to depression. Had HIDA scan two months ago was normal. Blood test showed fatty liver but only slightly, now after a weekend bender right abdomen has a dull pain that comes and goes where liver is I think.
How concerned should I be? Was just at the docs go back next month. Feel ok otherwise but plan to curb my use big time, anyone else have similar path?
Hi .. you really have got to stop drinking which , if you are addicted .... after 15 years of drinking you probably are, you may find very difficult. Especially as you were using the drink to self medicate your depression, which let me tell you does not work. Alcohol has completely the opposite effect. .. it is a depressant itself so all you've being doing is pouring fuel onto the fire.
Sometimes liver disease shows little or symtoms until it's too late. So please see your GP, see about getting some professional councelling and turn your life around for the good now instead of becoming another sad statistic. Good luck
I'm a little confused on how your blood test showed fatty liver? Did you have a fibrosure test that uses a regression analysis to figure out the amount of steatosis? Without an ultrasound, fibroscan, MRI, CT not sure how they can rule fatty liver. I assume your liver enzymes were elevated, which means your hepatocytes aka liver cells are being damaged from alcohol. I know its difficult, but you have to try to cut down. After a while, many realize their life is better without alcohol, painkillers, ect. Many of us have been in your shoes, mine was painkillers with tylenol. Except my physician wasn't tracking my elevated liver enzymes. If your AST and ALT are high, your liver is saying stop. Trust me, you want to listen to your liver, I didn't have the chance to and it hit like a brick wall when it finally had enough. Read about liver disease, read stories of cirrhosis, look at pictures and realize that could be you if you don't stop drinking. That's how I got myself to stop many bad habits I had. Most of us don't think it can happen to us, until we end up on the other side of the fence, without the ability to jump back over to the safe side.
My last test the AST was high but within range (37) and ALT slightly over (50)...bilirubin was fine and I did have an ultrasound this year which was ok too...from what I remember doc said it was slightly fatty but yea I could be wrong ...I plan on taking a break and then seeing how that goes but was just gauging what danger I was in (say I need to stop or I’m in deep shit or a few once a week won’t be bad)....FWIW doc said 4 beers twice a weekend was fine but my current path would be disastrous
Also from what I read pain is not normal for this? I read the other symptoms which I don’t really recognize but pain seems to be rare and I don’t think I’m at the point of fibrosis or cirrhosis (knock on wood) just that my current path would ...thank you all for your responses I am glad I found this
Statistically, you're at a much greater risk for cirrhosis when drinking with a fatty liver. Once the liver starts to be damaged it can heal, however, it's more susceptible to damage at a quicker rate next time around. I guess stopping completely or a few beers a week is up to you and how good your will power is. Many start to feel better and then go back to drinking again too much. The only thing I can say is the less the better. When my liver was sick, my doctor said I can't touch anything that stresses the liver until we get a for sure answer about what's going on. The good thing is your ALT being above your AST is a good sign. A GGT test is a good blood test to have as it's very sensitive to alcoholic liver damage. The story down below is a good story to read.
The amount of beer your doctor is telling you is safe to drink is way over the recommended guidelines especially on top of all your previous drinking. I'm affraid if you carry on like this you will become very sick. Why gamble with your health and your life?
My husband was a drinker in denial who became an alcoholic in denial who went through many illnesses and stages of liver disease and died 8 years ago at just 54. Are 8 beers per weekend really worth it? Is there a reason why alcohol consumption is so important to you? If I were you I'd find a better way to enjoy the weekends and prolong your life.
Hi, As has been said you must cut out alcohol completely. Liver disease isn’t called the silent killer without reason. The Liver is an incredible organ but once we have damaged it, sometimes it can be too late to reverse the condition. It will go through phases, Fatty, Fibrotic (Hardening of the surface) and then Cirrhotic, this is also the perfect breeding ground for Liver Cancer. I too drank alcoholically from 23 - 43 and although I am told alcohol had nothing to do with my subsequent issues (not that I can accept that) my liver was effectively beyond repair and I got primary Liver Cancer. As I said I stopped drinking in 2002 and was diagnosed with serious liver issues in 2013. Stopping drinking should not be underestimated, and I personally chose to use AA and mix with people who all have the same goal. At first I thought it was going to be full of old men who I had nothing in common with, only to find it had the complete mix from society amongst its members. Solicitors, Bankers, Accountant’s, Retired People, City Traders, young and old, black and white. It changed my life completely, I stopped before I lost all the material things in my life, and slowly regained my self respect back along with the love and trust of my whole family. I am approaching 16 years without a drink, and I can absolutely say that I walk this planet a free man. I can go where I like, When I like, With whoever I like. I do not regret one drink I had, but wouldn’t change my new life with one day from my old life.
Good luck
Ray
Well done on the drink issues, you’ve mentioned cancer what treatment did you receive?
Barry
I was put on the the transplant list. Got the call and effectively exploded on the operating table. Transplant aborted, 25 pints of blood to get me up to icu. 12 day coma, family told to prepare themselves for inevitable death. That was in Nov 16. Still here better than ever. Have regular embolisations (4 a year) expecting to have number 12 sometime in September. After original cancer diagnosis I underwent a resection, got told then cancer would return it was only a matter of when. Upon its return I began having embolisations to reduce in size or kill off any tumours before they became too big and would exclude me from the list.
Egad! I was diagnosed November 9th that year .
When you say exploded , is that the liver , a blood pressure issue or a general astites issue when the made the insision (mind you mentioned blood)
I had a SERts procedure (18cm x12cm) tumour) so my options for transplant was shelved, I’m trying to have them reconsider due to success of above procedure.
Luck to you
Barry
Because there is effectively only one route into your liver. They had to enter along exactly the same scar line that happened after the resection. They expected small blood vessels entwined in the scar tissue, unfortunately they encountered artery sized vessels which caused the issue.
How goes it now then are there any options or just a slow wait to the inevitable?
No chance of yet another attempt at transplant
Barry
I suppose the inevitable will happen, but it will happen for everybody at some point. No chance of another transplant, but the amazing thing is my bloods are nearly normal, I feel good, the only thing that I would say differentiates me from normal people is the fatigue. As long as I am honest with myself and go to bed when I’m tired I find life is nigh on normal. I do wonder if I got the better deal, no massive number of tablets to take etc. Since it all went pear shaped, I have been to Russia and the Baltic States, Singapore, Thailand, Sri Lanka, India, Abu Dhabi, Dubai and in 3 months I am going to the Carribean with my best friend and then spending the whole of December in Florida being joined by my kids and grandkids as soon as school finishes. So all in all I can’t really complain.
Ray
Indeed, morbidity not intended , I’ve found that Australia (for example and perhaps other countries) has a somewhat different policy, as I responded well to treatment overthere I will be considered for potential transplant whereas whilst I was here even the treatment that has at least prolonged my life wasn’t even mentioned due to cost issues , yes I also have and doing the travel thing, it was always one day before, but now that one day is now .
Cheers Ray for chat
Luck
Barry
Yep, the liver has those tiny sinusoids, that bring blood from zone 3 to zone 1. Cirrhosis makes the blood unable to pass through, sinusoidal congestion. That's horrible, sorry to hear about that.
Hi, you really do sound like one who is seeking reassurance to carry on but with a tad modification. You may already be reaching the tipping point. In my case, I was diagnosed with cirrhosis aged 53, in January-10 days in hospital- after over 20 years of heavy drinking. The "I'll stop tomorrow", never came and drinking in moderation was impossible for me. Take good care. 
Concerned
Concerned
After 1 year?
Please help! Very concerned! 
liver pain in side. Terrified
