Panic time (newbie)

[Nixxysarge1]

Hi all, new to this!

Iv been binge drinking since I was about 18. And for the last few years Iv been drinking 5 days a week. 4 beers a night. Sometimes more if over the weekend. I am 30 now.

I had very mild itching all over, so went to the GP. Suggested a blood test just in case, but thought it was nothing serious. The few days before my bloods were taken I’d had a couple of heavy nights. My bloods came back and the liver levels were slightly high. In the meantime I’d taken allergy tablets for the inching, and it worked. Had no itches in 2 weeks now. I have another blood test coming up next Monday, and an ultrasound in the new year. I have had no other symptoms, no jaundice, no aches, nothing at all!

Should I be worried? I suffer from very bad anxiety and depression, and this has got me down big time.

I know you’re not doctors! But it’s great to hear others point of views and experiences!

[Hidden]

Hi

Please try not to worry too much, easier said than done i know!¡!. Your GP sounds like he's on the ball which is good, better than fobbing you off!! Please let us know how you get on. Take care Lynne

[Hidden]

Its impossible to say without proper tests and imaging scans. But I will say from experience that you should take it easy on the drinking. This may sound blunt but, though Not everyone who drinks heavy gets liver disease, If you are going to be one of the ones that does end up getting it your surely doing all of the things to get it. If your tests all reveal nothing than take it as a chance to get a grip on the drinking. Keep this in mind that most people with compensated cirrhosis have no symptoms of it. Its often only when it gets decompensated that people even find out they had it. Also if you end up like I did you can go from no symptoms to severe alcoholic hepatitis literally overnight and end up in the hospital. In severe alcoholic hepatitis 2/3 rds of patients die within the first month. So while I'm not trying to scare you. In part I am. If you let the fact that you dont have anything wrong lower your anxiety to the point where you can laxly keep on binging. You may deeply regret it someday. Just giving you the facts .

Take care of yourself. Alcohol can be enjoyable but trust me the fun stops when you let it turn on you.

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

Spot on Phoenix

🇧🇧

[Nixxysarge1 in reply to Hidden]

Thanks Phoenix.

I have read very little into liver damage, and various stages as I know I will just worry myself even worse. But has been enough to scare me into complete abstinence. To be honest I never even gave my health a second thought. Was all too wrapped up in the social side of it all.

What are the different stages in liver disease? Iv heard about cirrhosis, fatty liver, alcoholic hepatitis. But I have very little understanding, and often refuse to read as so many sites say different things. I’d rather know from someone with experience!

[Hidden in reply to Nixxysarge1]

There are stages but what's important to understand is that the stages dont always happen in linear order. If you read it that way the order would be 1) Fatty Liver 2) alcoholic hepatitis 3) Cirrhosis. But the reality is that they overlap. Pretty much everyone who drinks heavy has fatty liver. This is usually easily resolved by stopping drinking. Alcoholic hepatitis doesnt happen in everyone and for some the symptoms are mild enough that it goes undetected for a long time. Some go right to cirrhosis. In fact more than 50 percent of people with detectable alcoholic hepatitis already have cirrhosis. Again most with early stages of cirrhosis have no idea they have it and its found by accident. The liver will often do its job until it hits about 20 percent left functioning. But once its had enough it becomes that quiet kid in class that noone knew was there until he snaps and shoots up the place. It can be a very quick downhill slide from that point. Even without live disease one can drink themselves into acute liver failure. Not to mention the risk factors for all the other organs that it affects that are not as forgiving as the liver. The social side of drinking has much appeal and I'll never say I dont miss it because I do. But I will tell you this. It's amazing when you stop drinking how many of your so called friends just seem to not be around anymore. True story. I'm not saying you need to become a total teetotaler. That is for a person to decide for themselves. But I wouldnt resume any drinking until you have been given a clean bill from the doctor. If you do decide to try and keep it in moderation after that youd have to have a talk with yourself about if or not you can accomplish that. Some people simply cannot and given your history of binge drinking you may not find that possible. But again that is a personal decision.

[Nixxysarge1 in reply to Hidden]

It’s all so very scary. I’m what is even worse is how little I was aware the damage it caused. But then again maybe that’s a state of denial.

Anyways, my ultrasound was due on the 1st of jan, but I rang today to check as I didn’t think that was right being New Year’s Day etc. But they’ve managed to fit me in for an ultrasound earlier, in 2 hours time in fact. Very nervous. But my eyes are definitely wide open now.

But as you say it’s the social side that’s hard to let go of. I never drink at home, always in the pub. I’m pretty much black and white, and I know it’s got to be all or nothing. Though that thought kills me!

[Julie8]

Hopefully your livers ok but the fact that you’re on here means you’re worried. Use that worry to give yourself a chance to change your lifestyle. My scirrosis took 20 years to develop and during that time the blood tests were all normal.

[Carper1]

Hi similar story to me my gamma was 157 also had a heavy weekend prior which can make a big difference the ultrasound chap said. Stressed for 6 weeks waiting for the ultrasound I think the stress made it lots worse I was itching plus the anxiety. I expected the worse at least fatty liver but thankfully my ultrasound was fine and 4 weeks abstinence results back in line. Do take it as a warning though as it is easy to get back to normal habits as I did in the summer and my bloods recently have shown enlarged blood cells so it is a second kick up the backside for me. Awaiting CT results but confident I will be ok as I was fine in May. I am 44 don’t believe I am alcoholic just habit socially. 4 weeks off haven’t bothered me feel loads better just need to cut out mid week glass of wine and heavy weekends. It has certainly opened my eyes as drink is so normalised in society and with my friends. Good luck and try not to worry!! I am staying in this forum to remind myself how worried I was and I was the lucky one 👍

[Nixxysarge1 in reply to Carper1]

Hi! Thanks for he reply. Wow. You’re very lucky. I’m hoping for a similar outcome but I very much doubt it. Came to a point that I now know I need to change things around. I had a ultrasound booked for New Year’s Day, I rang today to confirm that they had the date correct, being New Year’s Day etc! Then they said they have a free space his afternoon. Happy at that as I don’t have to wait a further 3 weeks. But very anxious about the results.

That’s a very wise idea about staying on this forum, will take that on board!

[Radnor]

May sound crazy but in some ways you are lucky. I was diagnosed with cirrhosis last Wednesday. I said to the prof I saw, but I have no symptoms at all, apart from my body thermostat not working! He explained that because its mostly a silent disease, a large number of people have no idea of the health of their liver. Only when they get the collection of yuk symptoms are they diagnosed. My skin has itched for decades as I have psoriasis.You acknowledge your drinking which is the first step to changing this.I admire everyone who beats this, mine is not alcohol related, but no one on this site judges, all our journeys are different. A lot of people drink to chase away depression. Alcohol is a depressant. You are young and there is a lot of help available , only you can make this choice. Your GP is looking out for you which is great, Its natural to be worried, but the big plus is you have sought medical attention. Try and stay positive, and I wish you the strength to address your drinking. Hazel

[Jenny13]

Sounds like you are doing what you need to start taking care of yourself. You have come to a good place for support and guidance in that regard. Keep in mind that if you continue to drink, you must be cautious of the medication you are taking while doing so. Most allergy meds contain acetaminophen. This can be very dangerous when combined with alcohol, even to a healthy liver. Always be honest with your doctor about how much you are drinking and get recommendations for over the counter meds to avoid potential problems. Best of luck.

Jennifer

[Nixxysarge1]

Hi all. Thanks very much for your replies. Just to update everyone. I had an unltrsound booked for the 1st of January. This morning I called the hospital to double check this was correct, being New Year’s Day etc. They mentioned they had a free appointment this afternoon, which I jumped on.

I know an ultrasound isn’t everything, and there are far more graphic tests. But the sonographer said as far as she could see I have a healthy liver. No obvious signs. She said the colour of my liver on the ultrasound looked healthy, and not at all fatty. So now I’m going to wish for the best and try and get my bloods back to normal.

It’s taken this to make me realise that yea, maybe I do have a problem with drink. Iv never had to abstain from drink until now. I haven’t drank for 10 days and already battling to stay away from the pub. So I know I have issues to address. And I’m well aware I’m not out of the woods yet. And again, thanks for all of your responses. As someone suggested to me earlier, I will keep following this forum as a reminder.

[Hidden in reply to Nixxysarge1]

Your attitude towards this is very honest and realistic and that is a HUGE thing. Take care moving forward. It's hard but time makes things easier especially when it comes to changing routines and habits.

[Costa18]

Take it easy on the alcohol, it doesn't do you any favours in the long run. It's also a depressant, so when you are unready depressed it can make things worse. Take care and get back to us.