New years eve: I was told a year ago if... - British Liver Trust

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New years eve

Carey4 profile image
68 Replies

I was told a year ago if I carried on binging on alcohol once a week that would be it. I gave up for six weeks but carried on binging. I gave up a few weeks here or there.

I've been hospital over 20 times either drunk.. Lost.. I had pains and went to hospital Christmas eve.

I had all my bloods done.. Pancreas liver all within normal range.

I am going out New years eve but then I am putting my all into no drinking.

I will try and I will do this.

I want my life back

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Carey4 profile image
Carey4
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68 Replies

Wow ! Isnt being told "if you carry on drinking you will die" enough for you to stop for good ? How else will you get your life back ?

Carey4 profile image
Carey4 in reply to

No that wasn't enough if I'm totally honest.

It's a strange thing.. Only when your ready will you do it.

Im lucky i know

in reply to Carey4

Then please listen to Richards advice

in reply to Carey4

My husband was told if you dont stop drinking you will die. Like you he carried on drinking. He was dead within a year.... think on !!

Making that choice is the first real step. Understanding why you drink, or need to drink this is the second. There's always a reason behind it. Sometimes the reason can become lost or forgotten. By understanding the reason, you are in fact treating the cause and not just the symptom and the physical damage.

Good luck, a life without alcohol is a far better road to go down, rather than the alternative one.

If all your tests are in normal range what prompted the doctor to tell you that if you continued on youd be done for? Must be a piece of info missing here somewhere.

Carey4 profile image
Carey4 in reply to

My enzymes were up. I had been in and out of hoe

in reply to Carey4

Well not that I'm giving any medical advice here but I can tell you that having normal blood tests dont mean you dont have liver damage. My liver function tests are aces and I certainly do have liver disease. Being in the hospital 20 times and given the advice you were given a year ago I'd probably eat my shirt if you didnt.

But hey that's just my opinion.

I dont know you but I think I can say that with being in the hospital 20 times that you definitely are going to likely need some help getting off drinking. Especially since you are saying you want to stop but yet are already pre-planning a new years eve bender.

I got here because of alcohol so I'm not judging you. This forum is for support even when you slip up. But to achieve your goals you really need to accept that the ultimate underlying requirement is your involvement in it. Your health is everything and I think personnaly that you need some more detailed tests and someone professional to talk to about getting a harness on the alcoholism.

Take care

-Phoenix

Hi Carey - welcome to this great forum!

A lot of us here have been in this same or very similar situation. Hence the great comments above.

I was told to stop drinking or else! I did but way too late - my liver did a runner and was superseded 😁

So you are right:-

You will (try) and give up dinking - please cross out the “try”

You will get your life back

And

You will stop having to go to hospital

You will find life is actually more than OK without alcohol

You will REMEMBER the good times you are going to have

You will have more money to spend on yourself for nice things 😁

None of this is advice it’s just my own experience.

Go for it Carey!

🇧🇧

Millie09 profile image
Millie09

Hi carey4,

You state on your profile "liver disease " , may I ask what the cause was ? .was it due to alcohol, i am presuming so , I was diagnosed with liver disease 10 yrs ago , similar to you, carry on drinking and you won't be around in 6 months, it's been a tough journey, fallen off the wagon many times , but I know now what the root cause was , took me 6 years!! Yes .. six years .. After no end of CBT therapist, alcohol counselling etc..

You can't expect to go out new years eve and tell yourself your going to fight hard not to drink 🤔 .. because you will, it's not that simple, trust from one who knows,

You have joined this amazing forum for help, and that's great!! , but please be honest with yourself.

You WILL get your life back, if you want it bad enough.

My best wishes to you .

Linda

in reply to Millie09

Great points there Linda. Yes, sometmes you have to, at least initially, when the temptation is still great, just not go out so you don’t get tempted 👍. Tough at first but, by gorra (sorry - showing my age there),it’s blurry worth it!

What happened to you in the end Linda, if you don’t mind me asking...

🇧🇧

Millie09 profile image
Millie09 in reply to

Thank you pilomilo,

I was just telling it how it was for me and my own thoughts on the matter.

Well im doing good liver wise, holding up its own ( thank god) . No transplant list, still sober !! 😊 .

Linda..

Darsmum100 profile image
Darsmum100 in reply to Millie09

So good to hear from you Millie. I was beginning to think we'd lost you. And very happy to hear you're doing ok. I've recently had my hip replacement op and progressing well.

By the way, I used to be Beauport on here - no idea how I came to be Darsmum!

All the best for the New Year to you Millie.

Love Carole

Millie09 profile image
Millie09 in reply to Darsmum100

Hi Carole ,

Awww .. Thank you, that's so kind of you to say . I have been very busy, with one thing and another, would take too long to even write it all down lol,

Been sorting out help for my aunt, in hospital since July , we thought we had lost her on more than one occasion, she is now (after a long long drawn out battle) in a nursing home for dementia patients.

My health could be better , mobility is not so good, I'm on pregabalin , only been 6 weeks but not working? plus i have awful restless legs!!! Driving me crazy, how are you now after the hip replacement? I could do with one myself lol .

So how come your name has changed 🤔😂😂, funny that is ,

Wishing you a very happy , healthy new year!

Linda x

najnaj123 profile image
najnaj123 in reply to Millie09

Hi, I also take pregabalin but used alongside amitriptyline for chronic sciatica and arthritis. If you haven't tried injections I can fully recommend them. They work for me, but not everyone. Have a happy new year.

Millie09 profile image
Millie09 in reply to najnaj123

Happy New year to you, i cant take amyltrptaline due to cirrhosis my dr won't allow it.

I am due to go back in February to pain management clinic as a review so fingers crossed im offered injections as I really can't carry on like this any more

najnaj123 profile image
najnaj123 in reply to Millie09

Hi Millie09, aw, I hope they do give you something. I go on 5th Jan and can't wait. Sorry you can't have them. Cirrhosis causes so many problems. My hubby has ascites at the moment and had scan over 2 months ago. Still waiting to hear from the consultant. Anyway, all the best at pain clinic. x

Millie09 profile image
Millie09 in reply to najnaj123

Hi najnaj123, I'm sure they will give me injections , it was mentioned in November at my first appt, I think they wanted to see if pregabalin would help which it isn't,

Yes , cirrhosis is a complex disease and we have to be mindful on taking anything without checking .

Sorry to hear about your hubby, ascites is very uncomfortable!! I have had it 4 times, been drained 3 times .

That's a long wait time ? Two months just for scan results? I would be inclined to chase it up

All the best and thank you x

Hope hubby improves

najnaj123 profile image
najnaj123 in reply to Millie09

Hi Millie,

Thanks for reply. I would deffo give the injections a go. I have several per year. As for hubby's results, we have left a message on answer machine but no response. He is going to chase again next week. It's too long to wait another 4 months for his next routine appointment. Well, i'll keep my fingers crossed your pain clinic gives you the injections and that they help you like they do me.

Millie09 profile image
Millie09 in reply to najnaj123

I intend to push for injections, I'm not one for taking tablets if I'm honest,

Oh i see , well ..at least you have left a message for them, but take it from one who knows, these days we have to push for getting things done. , thank you! I will let you know what happens.

Best wishes. Linda

Mags72 profile image
Mags72 in reply to Darsmum100

How you getting on after your hip operation, I spoke to you last week so hope your managing a bit better.x I'm maybe going for one this year.

in reply to Millie09

Good job Linda!!!

Millie09 profile image
Millie09 in reply to

Thank you! Not an easy journey but would not swap it for the world

😊😊.

in reply to Millie09

Great to see you back here x

Millie09 profile image
Millie09 in reply to

Thank you Laura x hope you are well x happy New year to you

in reply to Millie09

You too xx

Millie09 profile image
Millie09 in reply to

Thank you 🤗xx

Kate50 profile image
Kate50 in reply to Millie09

Hello there stranger, how are you, nice to see you back, was wondering where you had gone, hope you are well ?

🌸🌸

Millie09 profile image
Millie09 in reply to Kate50

Hi Kate, I'm not so bad thank you!! Been a bit of a roller coaster ride since July with my aunt and my mobility issues! But glad to be back, missed you all .🤗

BSA-3 profile image
BSA-3 in reply to Millie09

Hi Linda,

Good answer ! How are you doing ? Hope all's good. Take care

Millie09 profile image
Millie09 in reply to BSA-3

I'm still here ! 🙂☺. Just been inundated with sorting things for my aunt, besides trying to sort myself out , was always lurking in the background lol,

How's things with you nick , good I hope 👍🏻

in reply to BSA-3

Hi Nick !! Xx

Stay in, you won’t do it, you are already questioning yourself. Tell your mates that you are ill.

I’ll add, hospital 20 x , A&E??? Please think of the resources you are taking up.

Carey your first post was over a year ago. Since then you haven't stopped drinking nor have you sought help to do so. You've ignored all advice given both here and by healthcare professionals. It really doesn't sound like you want your life back to be honest. Not sure what this post is even about. Telling us you're getting hammered tonight then putting all this behind you!? It's insulting to all those who got liver disease through no fault of their own! I, like many others, wish I could have had a warning sign but I didn't until it was too late. You only get one life, don't waste it away on alcohol!

Carey4 profile image
Carey4 in reply to

Don't tell me I haven't had help. I've been at lifeline a year stopped drinking dramatically and I'm getting there.

Too many people with high opinion on here.

I know all the facts still wear the t-shirt of being an alcoholic but I know I'm getting there.

Oh and I didn't go out lastnight.

in reply to Carey4

Wise choice, a good start to 2019.

in reply to Carey4

Well done, you really have made a great start and now into to the new year too! We truly are all behind you. We have complete and utter respect for anyone quitting drinking and know how tough it can be. The benefits to your health and enjoyment to your life will by far outweigh the fear of a future without booze. Once you can get your head around that, with your continued support network, you will never look back.

All the very best for a happy healthy 2019

Laura xx

Millie09 profile image
Millie09 in reply to Carey4

Brilliant! You should be so proud .

I know , and plenty of others know how hard it is to stay off the demon drink, it's ok stopping, it's staying sober thats the hard bit , I was the queen of falling off the wagon over the years, no one was being judgmental , and i hope you don't feel bad of us, sometimes it's 'tough love " that's needed to acknowledge and do something about the problem.

Wishing you a happy New year, may this be a healthy one

Linda x

So sad Carey, I have nothing I can say to you, I guess you have to really want it yourself? Choose life stay in. Jaycee

Carey

Is your real name related tags? That’s very unusual?!

1football profile image
1football

You should sit down and read and re read the comments that these members have posted to you!! they have done this to help save your life not because they have nothing better to do. You have two choices live or die sorry to be harsh but you started to post regards your worries over a year ago and still you continue please seek expert help through your GP although am pretty sure this would of been offered many times but I feel time is running out for you and that is reality.

STOP

Urgh i give up !!!!Go ahead guys drink yourselves to death !!!

in reply to

Uh yea Peter alcoholic decompensated cirrhosis ONLY ends that way in people who keep drinking. Thats not opinion that's a fact. Not sure where on earth you derived any opinion otherwise from? Her husband was told to stop drinking and he didnt and he was dead in a year. Thats not her Google searching.... That actually happened to her husband.

in reply to

Thankyou darling x

in reply to

No problem love. Needed to be said x

in reply to

Happy New year x

in reply to

And a great New Year to you as well😊

najnaj123 profile image
najnaj123 in reply to

You are right. It did need to be said.

BSA-3 profile image
BSA-3 in reply to

What do these people hope to achieve by putting posts like these up ? Do they think we'll be impressed ? I sometimes wonder if they'd be so blase about alcoholic cirrhosis if they had to live just one day with a decompensated liver and all that goes with it. I'm nearly certain that they'd never touch a drop again. I could get quite angry about it because there are a lot of vulnerable people who might be dithering about 'shall I, shan't I' who might have there minds made up for them by reading ridiculous posts like these. When will they realise that there is only ever one winner and that is alcohol. I will help anybody but not if the advice ( from experience, ) is thrown back in our faces. It's not a game, it is literally deadly serious as you, me and virtually everybody else on here knows. Take care Laura.

in reply to BSA-3

You my man are a diamond geezer.

Millie09 profile image
Millie09 in reply to BSA-3

Perfect nick!!! .. well bloomin said 👏👏👏👏.. makes my blood boil, the ignorance of some people

in reply to

I really don't know what to say Laura, so many things spring to mind. There's an ignorance factor to consider here as this poor fellow is totally in the dark. I think he may be Egyptian or something, he's certainly in de-Nile. Or even a human ostrich, with his head in the sand or even somewhere else.

Either way, don't take it to heart, or even rise to the bait. just walk on by (Dionne Warwick get out of my head).

Alcohol induced.....Pancreatitis -severe pain- fatty liver-cirrhosis- acities-hepatic encephalopathy -mood swings- hallucinations- major blood loss- liver failure- kidney failure- broncho pneumonia to "your husband is going to die"

Do you really believe more alcohol would have been the answer to numb the pain of the dieing man ?

in reply to

Laura - you know I completely and utterly agree with you. I think I said before I was SO SO naive that when I had a pain in my right side

I found that that a few drinks would “make it go away” . Idiot that I was. Had my head so buried in the sand I could see Australia. But AS SOON AS I saw a consultant and he told me to stop drinking I did. That was 4 years and 7 months ago... I still look back and cannot believe what an IDIOT I used to be ☹️.

Milo

🇧🇧

najnaj123 profile image
najnaj123

Don't 'Laura really' Read her story. It's tragic.

Millie09 profile image
Millie09

Is this for real?.. 🤨

Coralsun profile image
Coralsun

Hi there. You need to stop drinking now, you know that. It might not be as hard as you think once you commit to it although I know it varies from one person to another because we are all different. Having to go to hospital 20 times in a year is truly shocking. In fact I wondered if it was for real initially. I don't know if you managed to abstain last night when others were celebrating with a drink. Today has to be a fresh start. I don't know if it's safe for you to just stop drinking by yourself, you say you have before, so speak with your gp as soon as you can. It sounds like you may seriously struggle with it so get your coping strategies in place. Ask your family and friends for their support in going forward sober. Your surgery will offer you help in quitting. Speak with a counsellor and/or join a support group. Even the Samaritans because to carry on as you have been will be suicidal. Sorry but that's a fact. Don't wonder if you should have a drink or not, or 1or2. You need to start thinking I don't and can't drink alcohol. The people here will give you support and offer you the benefit of their experiences. You may be asking yourself how do I enjoy life or cope with everything without it. It's tough but when it's gone too far it's all over. Be strong.

Wishing you a happy and healthier New Year.

Coralsun

Carey4 profile image
Carey4 in reply to Coralsun

I see my gp three times a week to get my medication

Yes been hospital over 30 times in two years not through alcohol but cutting my arms legs. Suicide attempt

Didn't go out stayed in

in reply to Carey4

Self harm, work out the root cause of the pain, you probably have. Alcohol is a depressant and will only make things a lot worse. Good luck with the road ahead.

in reply to

Simply put and extremly true.

Coralsun profile image
Coralsun in reply to Carey4

Hi. I've tried to reply before but it won't seem to send. I feel really sorry that you've felt so wretched as to go to the lengths of harming yourself. You say you see your gp regularly which is good, I would think that he will have referred you for mental health care and therapy. Alcohol and suicide often go hand in hand. The drink may blott things out for a while but will lower your inhibitions, heighten your emotions and make you more impulsive.

Try to recognise all the help that there is and have a network of support to call upon when you need to. The forum will support you in giving up drink and hopefully help you with feelings of being alone in it all.

I sincerely hope you can take the right steps to be happier and healthier in the future.

Take care.

Coralsun

Radnor profile image
Radnor

Dear Carey,

It really does sound that you are attempting to self medicate with Alcohol. Stopping drinking is tough, but you must realise by now that whatever you are trying to escape from is not going away, the drink by getting off your face is a temporary solution that will never address what is hurting you . You already know this , attempting suicide was a cry for help. Drinking is a form of slow suicide for you. I worked with people who were drug,alcohol,both addicted to. They were part of a group of street drinkers who scared the hell out of a lot of people. My work was quite unique, carrot and stick I am not suggesting your in this category , but there is one big similarity. I worked very closely with them as individuals. Without exception, their back stories about their lives, some going back to childhood would have made even a tough nut cry! I had to assess who should be ASBO'd. This was when my work really began. I wanted them to try and not breach this, and I was there advocate in trying to solve what was missing in their lives, housing being just one. Getting help for them was a real challenge but I gained their trust over time and they got to access services that until then either dismissed them or they didnt know existed. Of course drinking can be a result of habit, social norms etc. I sense there is something at the bottom of your drinking? Your GP is helping however have you been offered counseling for mental health issues? Do you have someone to give you support,, who will advocate for you. If you could address wat the underlying causes are, it may help you stop drinking. The greatest buzz i got from my work was re uniting my clients with their families. I could carry on but basically if you can get help to heal your feelings it should help you stop drinking. Mine is NALD but on my Dad's side a good percentage of his siblings were alcoholics. It skipped him and me and my brother. Our children too. The phrase that got me angry was drug/alcohol induced psychosis, I had many a battle with Mental Health Services, but I never gave up! If you can stop your doctor can push hard for you, find out why you drink what your attempting to escape from. Go for it love, you have a good life waiting for you, if you can win this battle. Hazelx

Coralsun profile image
Coralsun in reply to Radnor

Hi. I often thought it is slow suicide. You are spot on with that.

Coralsun

Radnor profile image
Radnor

How many people have seen who are in the final phase of cirrhosis? ie dying? Alcohol doesn't kill any pain whatsoever, You will not be able to drink water let alone alcohol. Your body will be emaciated, your eyes and skin yellow and its a slow lingering death for many. Slow suicide in your case. Your choice but its a damn good job people like you are few and far between on this site. If I was to follow your 'wisdom' I should start drinking eh? My cirrhosis is not down to alcohol . Your scared of stopping, plain and simple. I suggest you write a will and plan your funeral, save your family the distress . Only you can decide to stop, get your family and close friends to join, let them read Laura's story. At least they will know then what will most likely happen to you.

in reply to Radnor

Yes peter has gone !

X

Brett11 profile image
Brett11 in reply to

It’s better than Eastenders on here sometimes 😂

Radnor profile image
Radnor

Hi Carey

The message above was for a guy called Peter! Looks like he has now left the building ! I know you thought people were appearing harsh on you but we all want you to have a happy healthy future.Your not a lost cause , I can recognise one , I knew who would never change when they were under my umbrella. Just 2 out of 12, they had regular jollies at the queens invitation, Having an ASBO didnt bother them, every prison sentence increased every time. You have been making an effort, now you need a lot of strength for the final hurdle love. I know it hard, but you have come this far, dont try and do it on your own, If you can get into detox you will be with others like you. Supporting each other too Hazelx

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