Stupid Relapse

[Hanc]

I very stupidly have had a relapse of 30 days heavy drinking 10 pints after a period of 3 months sobriety. I had a Fibroscan done in August which was 4.5 Kpa, the hepatologist said no scarring or fatty liver. My worry now is could this stupid binge have caused me scarring to the liver or Cirrhosis. I have stopped now and don't plan on going back. Any help would be much appreciated. Thanks.

[Hidden]

Well, if all was OK in August, even though a heavy hit, I would have thought you’ll be fine. However, I would get a blood test done to put your mind at rest. Are we talking cooking or super strength pints?

[Hanc in reply to Hidden]

Thanks for the reply, it was larger about 4%. Thanks for the kind advice.

[Hidden in reply to Hanc]

Cooking then, I am confident all will be OK but keep it down, you don’t want to end up on the transplant list.

Make sure you have the blood test and explain why. That is well over 100 units a week.

[Hanc in reply to Hidden]

Thanks for the kind reply, I have a blood test arranged for next week.

[AyrshireK]

Hi again Hanc, you need to try and really get a grip on this binge drinking scenario. This isn't the first time you've reported back on here after a lengthy period of abstinence then a relapse to old ways. Only you have the power to get this under control and whilst your fibroscan in August was at the ok side of things that isn't to say that further down the line your fatty liver won't take a plummet. Seek some assistance to get guidance so that alcohol doesn't become a useless and harmful crutch during difficult times. You only need to read some sad stories on here this week (indeed today) where loved one's are reporting back the horrendous death of a loved one through alcohol related liver disease. Don't become one of those guys.

I do wish you the very best going forward.

Katie

[Hanc in reply to AyrshireK]

Thanks for the kind reply and good advice Katie, I have booked to see an addiction councillor.

[Hidden in reply to AyrshireK]

Wow Katie what a memory you have!

[HumtpyDumpty43 in reply to AyrshireK]

Hi Katie,

I always read your replies with interest. You have so much knowledge and useful information that I wondered if you are a nurse or work with the British Liver Trust?

I'm only asking because I am nosy!!

Thank you for continuing to post.

All the best.

Humpty xxx

[AyrshireK in reply to HumtpyDumpty43]

Hi Humpty, no not a nurse or linked to BLT in anyway just a wife who has been supporting hubby with cirrhosis since April 2012. Been a member on the forum and very active here since those early days so a lot of my knowledge just stems from being on here, hearing other people's stories and looking up and researching anything i'd not heard of before. I attend all hubbies appointments and his doctors liaise with me as hubby struggles with 'med-speak' and I then interpret med-speak into common sense for him. As part of our liver journey i've also done some online courses and other bits of learning plus in the early days I spent a lot of time on the BLT main webpage.

I just like to help where I can.

Katie

[HumtpyDumpty43 in reply to AyrshireK]

Hi Katie,

You are doing an amazing job - looking after your hubbie and sharing your knowledge with us. It's much appreciated and I wish you and your hubbie all the best.

Thank you!!

Humpty xxx

[iarattray]

Hi Hanc, I'm not a medic but have suffered with hep c for 39 years until recently. New anti viral drugs eliminated the virus. I had the most aggressive type of hep c, genotype 1. I drank heavily for years with the virus. Like you I have no cirosis or fatty liver disease. It's extremely unlikely that your relapse has done any real damage. The danger for you as I see it would be if you continue to relapse. Sounds like you would be smart to consider alcoholics anonymous. Because if you drink like you have on top of liver disease that indicates that you have a serious problem. It's pretty insane really, drinking like that with your health issue.

[RonShirt]

I was diagnosed with Cirrhosis of the liver in 2017 and have taken steps to give up/cut back on alcohol. I tend to think this is a rather personal thing and wanted one to one counciling, which I couldn't get on the NHS. Anyway, having seriously cut back - given up for weeks, started drinking again for a while and then given up again, etc. I was given the 'all clear' in August 2018 (normal liver function).

What did I do but see this as a green light to drink again! On and off, on and off. The more one does this I think, the harder it becomes to stop altogether which, so far as I can now see, is the only sensible outcome.

So I actually thank God that I have been given another chance now, as I realise that I simply must not doubt the wisdom and healing power that lies within.

Ron

[Hidden]

No you wouldn't develop cirrhosis in that short a period of time and only about 15 to 20 percent of people who drink heavily will get cirrhosis. But ypu could end up with a severe case of alcholic hepatitis which comes on full blown sometimes literally overnight and survival rates for.in hospital cases are only about 33 percent. Also one does not need to even have liver disease at all to end up with acute liver failure from drinking.

So far you've been lucky. If you were drinking at a social level and control it I'd say that your no different than any other healthy person. Problem is that you have issues with alcohol. It's either all or nothing it seems. A person in your shoes is likely to need to be abstinent permanently because your likelyhood to relapse even after one drink is extremely high.

Normal liver function tests are not an indicator that one doesn't have cirrhosis or liver disease btw. Liver function tests show the present function of the liver NOT the state of the liver. Many people with alcoholic cirrhosis have normal liver function tests and further there are also people who have cirrhosis whose fibroscan scores are normal if there is not active inflammation ongoing. So never use medical test results as green lights to drink.

Wish you the best

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

By the way Hanc I wanted to point out that by in no way am I judging you. I got to this forum from my excessive drinking. Had a decent bout of alcholic hepatitis and ended up in the hospital. I haven't drank in 9 months and am kicking ass. Normal LFTs and a fibroscan score that is continuously dropping. Will I be a complete Teetoetaler for the rest of my life? Who knows. But for now I decided a good strong rest time for my health was needed. Not to mention time to.get some clarity and enjoy things sober. Watching my favorite band play and having an ale or some wine at an an anniversary dinner will likely not be put of the question down the road. As for me personally I believe in free will and that each person should be able to decide how they live their life and what things in it make them happy. That being said I have learned not to use alcohol as a way to cope with depression as it is a slippery slope at 90 degrees and happiness and enjoyment in depression cant be felt with or without alcohol as it is it's own demon. Certainly being Ill from alcohol or disease brings depression and again makes it not a happy or enjoyable time. I should have also said congrats on the 3 months sober even if you did relapse. Dont look at the relapse as a failure. Look at it as a minor set back and keep moving forward.

[Hanc]

Thank you for all the very kind replies and great information guys, it is all very much appreciated. I am now dealing with high anxiety that I have done some serious damage. Thank you all again for the kind support.

[Hanc]

I read this article on another forum (hope it's OK to post here), which gives some perspective on things, I think.

mdjunction.com/forums/alcoh...

[Hidden]

Great share Hanc. And that was exactly the point I was getting at in my first post. Mdjunction has a good bunch of members on there as well. There is a very well informed Chap on there that goes by "moonwatcher"". Very science based fellow. If you ever get a chance to read his posts it's a learning experience everytime.

[Hanc in reply to Hidden]

Thanks PhoenixPalazzo, I have read alot of MoonWatcher's posts and he has also given me some great information and thanks for your very informative replies and support they are much appreciated.