If anyone asks me how I got cirrhosis I always reply that it was from alcohol. I don’t really understand people’s stigma about it?
I’m one of the “lucky” 10 to 20% of people who got it.
Now if I just bought a lottery ticket instead 😂
My 10p worth.: If anyone asks me how I... - British Liver Trust
My 10p worth.
Written by
Brett11
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114 Replies
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Too true Brett.. all I had to do was look around the pub - when I used to go - and think Guidelines what Guidelines! LMAO.
Milo Pilo
in reply to
I cant think of a single human I ever met who liked alcohol that drank within guidelines. St Patty's day would only be a 2 hour event 😅😅😅
in reply to
Hehe yes I agree phoenixpalazzo (good job I could copy from above because who knows how I might have spelt your name! There’s a few options 😁). But do they they admit it. I didn’t 👎🏻
Mylez
It's about education 😊
And a point I made the other day was everyone knows the risk of alcohol, cigarettes, fatty foods etc etc ...
But people in the general public don't know about the conditions which effect the huge proportion of us who end up with cirrhosis and I personally find people very judgemental especially when it comes to a cirrhosis diagnosis and I blame the so called hero of a lot of people in the UK bloody George best he did a lot of damage to people waiting for transplants because of his addiction, which he should of tackled first but money and power is all you need to beat the queue!!
I think you should be proud of beating your personal demons it's definitely one of the hardest things to overcome 😊
But I just want people to understand it's hard for people with Nash to have a stigma what is actually nothing to do with them
That’s very true Jojo. It must be hard for them to have to virtually prove every time that they didn’t get cirrhosis thru addiction. My point is that stigma is someone else’s problem not mine. It’s just when I came screaming out of that closet 😂 I am me. Take it or leave it. Don’t put your stigma on to me as I have real things to worry about. You soon find out who your real friends are.
Gosh! I best check my ammonia levels! I’m never this serious 😂
in reply to jojokarak
Very true JoJo
I firmly believe that alcohol addiction is not blameworthy . I actually met George a few times in Manchester. I had a shock to be honest. He had stopped drinking at that time so I saw the real person. His mother was also an alcoholic. If anything fame and fortune contributed greatly to his addiction. He wasnt the flash harry you saw on TV. He was shy and introvert. So many people self medicate with alcohol and he certainly did. Dutch Courage . He loved his job but what went with it scared the hell out of him. We chatted about dieting lol. My Dad was miffed because I didnt invite him for tea lol. I have NASH, Methotrexate . I totally agree that cirrhosis should be publicised - all the other things that cause it. Obesity is becoming No 1 cause. You never see any mention of it in any public information ads? I have written some corrections to the letter sent to my GP. DENIES DRINKING ALCOHOL FOR 10/15 YEARS! Smacks of I dont believe her! My Gamma GT was 64 on 5/12. All other Liver bloods were normal. I have since researched and this level is indicative of abstainers. I never worry about what others think, However wo betide anyone who makes incorrect assumptions! They get both barrels! lol
As soon as I say I’ve had cirrhosis, which necessitated a liver transplant, alcohol is always assumed as cirrhosis is in the majority of cases forever ‘linked’ to drinking. Mine was via NASH and A1ATD (basically faulty gene). Alcohol for me was special occasions, birthday, Christmas, night out with the girls. On occasion when going to A&E the dr, always asks how much I drink, when replying, I’ve got cirrhosis so I don’t drink, his reply was that all alcoholics lie! Recently post op, on visiting my GP, he was insisting that I must drink as my levels were off the charts!
I would change doctor if I were you. Doctors are there to care for out health and not to be judgemental. Regards Alf
Tried, but in our area, have to stay with local surgery and I see different drs most of the time, so no continuity, hence why I’ve opted to stay at Addenbrookes, for now anyway as feel more ‘secure’ in my care. 😘
I suppose in that case you will have to turn a deaf ear to their ignorance, that is so long as their misguided opinions don't compromise your care in any way. All the best. Alf.
You are in Australia so you missed the Adrian Chiles documentary last night. Good for him for ‘coming out’, that was me, except of course the diagnosis 👎.
Brett11 in reply to
Who is he when he’s famous? Lol
I’ll have a google
He’s one of the lucky ones who has been told before it was too late. I hope he stops drinking.
in reply to Brett11
He has to stick to guidelines, I think that he will be on the spotlight.
in reply to
What was the programme called? I'll look it up on YouTube as I'm not allowed to watch live TV since cancelling my TV licence 😬
in reply to
BBC2 Drinkers like me - Adrian Chiles. Not sure about the ethics of you watching it though Klodian. 😂
in reply to
Oh yeah I've watched that one months ago. I like to get hammered every other day but I'm not an alcoholic 🙄
in reply to
I was in ICU when it was first broadcast.
in reply to
You got me there Mark?
in reply to
Another bad hair day Milo, originally broadcast August 27th and repeated last night. August 27th, was not long after my transplant, so still was in hospital. The TV thing in the ward , say no more.
in reply to
Aug 27 that’s my Tpday 👍
in reply to
God works in mysterious ways Milo.
in reply to
👍
Carefully does it Mark, you might get deleted (and your post 😁) if you bring religion into this alternative world of ours 😁
(Only joking Admin 😁 - I love you really.... )
MiloPilo
Brett11 in reply to
I actually got death threats from a USA fb group for questioning all the praise the Lord posts.
I was just giving my point of view just like the others.
I didn’t get deadded though 😂
in reply to Brett11
I’ll pray for your redemption.
in reply to
I think it’s a bit late for that Mark 😁
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Only joking Brett me ol mucker (oops I nearly made a freudian slip... )
😁
in reply to Brett11
😅
in reply to
😅 his son did turn his blood to wine for us to drink. Poor devil always getting the blame haha
in reply to
Ooh you’re too clever for me 😁
in reply to
I guess cirrhosis wasn't a thing back then or the wine was low alcohol. I'm sure they'll update the scripture at some point 😏
alfredthegreat in reply to
Aug 26th my transplant day so I was in ICU too.
Santorini77 in reply to
I did watch it some time ago. He annoyed me a bit, to be honest. I thought he was a bit weak and indecisive. If you are serious then you don't need to be hanging around with friends that encourage you to 'go on, just have one drink...' To me, they are not true friends. In the end he didn't give up did he? I'm not really sure what he did!! But I wasn't overly impressed with him. You need to have the right mindset and be around the right people.
Mags72 in reply to
I watched that, it was very brave of him. I wonder how he's doing, not sure when the documentary was made. But a very honest and emotional documentary I thought.
It's an unnecessary stigma that you have to deal with all the time. If we looked around it could happen to anyone. Especially with the drinking culture we are living in. But people seem to be very keen to judge when it is happening to someone else. If you are depressed and drink- even worse- another stigma-addiction and another mental health problem. You are screwed no matter what. You just have to ignore the ignorance I suppose however painful it is.
My husband has cirrhosis possibly through alcohol, but also possibly as a result of damage done to a pipe when he was 20 by the council. I can't remember the name of the exact mix of yuck that was released in gaseous form below his bedroom window, but he came close to dying from it. The hospital genuinely aren't sure about the cause.
He does still drunk, in small amounts, and his liver has actually improved over the last 5 years. He is puzzling the consultant. He has another set of full tests coming up beginning of Feb. If the improvement has held, he'll be discharged. I can't say I agree with that.
Anyone disses my husband around me, I'll happily park my wheelchair on their foot and cock a deaf 'un to their objections until they apologise.
in reply to motleyalice
Why would you not agree with that alice? Wouldn’t that be good news? Or don’t you believe/trust them?
Miles
motleyalice in reply to
The improvement is good news, but there is still a problem there that will no longer be monitored if they discharge him. That's the part I don't like.
To be honest some of the hospitals in the area don't have a great reputation. For example in the 5 weeks my MIL has been back on the cancer ward at New Cross - cancer wards allegedly being very clean - she's picked up infections twice. Both times hitting her hard enough that visiting restrictions have been completely lifted and we've been to go any time. The doctors didn't expect her to regain consciousness either time. The fact that she has is testament to her constitution rather than anything they've done.
I can't say Russell's Hall has a good rep either (they once sent him him when his Hb was 45 instead of the desired 150, with no treatment at all).
Nope, I don't trust them much at all.
in reply to motleyalice
Oh crikey motley that’s a bummer 👎🏻. I see now, as they say, where you’re coming from. Aagggh.
Well I hope you can resolve these horribly “unfortunate” issues alice.
Miles
I agree entirely Brett, the stigma is their problem.
Personally I'm very open about it, it's not like everyone I knew was blind to the fact that I drank too much anyway.
I seem to get admiration from people if anything. I guess it would be different if I'd have carried on drinking.
Gary
Since diagnosed my so called friends don't get in touch,kinda made me feel like a leper,but i can honestly say i feel better and stronger for it as i have found joy in life without a drink and my ex drinking buddies.
Pizamkazdw in reply to
You don't need these so called 'friends'. You have us 
in reply to
For me it's been the opposite. They were still trying to keep in touch but there was always a sense of being pressured into drinking even though they wouldn't specifically do so. I think I've made it clear by now that's an environment I no longer wish to be in. I must add none of my drinking "mates" bothered to come visit at the hospital which was to be expected anyway.
in reply to
You’re deffo well shot of them klodian (sorry for spelling)
Cheers matey brings a smile to my face some real nice people on here.
I think that it's because generally people presume that if anybody has a liver problem then it's down to drinking alcohol when quite a lot of people with cirrhosis don't drink. You can get heart, kidney,bladder,bowel problems and more from drinking alcohol but if you were to say to someone I have bladder problems or kidney problems they wouldn't straight away jump to the conclusion that it's caused through alcohol. Alf
in reply to alfredthegreat
Yea it's like people think the only single ailment that the liver can get is alcoholic cirrhosis
in reply to
I sometimes find myself guilty of saying I have liver fibrosis BUT I don’t drink! Perhaps I should then add, BUT I’m overweight due to being addicted to sugar and fatty things .😈. I don’t know anyone who is not addicted to something 🤔 There but for the grace of God go they 😇
in reply to
Everyone has their vice it's true. As intelligent sentient beings we just seem to succumb to bordem really easily and we psychologically look for things to stimulate us. Some good some bad. Oddly the bad ones always are the "good ones" lol. Dont get me wrong. If alcohol didnt cause me liver disease and wasnt bad for the health. I'd be picking up a nice bottle of red for tonight to drink while watching a good movie and honestly why the hell not? I'll never not like alcohol. I just recognize that alcohol is something my body cant take anymore of right now so I dont. I feel no shame in admitting the truth of that.
in reply to alfredthegreat
Too true atg
I think the stigma comes from the other 80 to 90 percent who think because they didnt get cirrhosis they must have drank less than you. That's the part that makes me want to drown them in it. I drank the least out of my heavy drinking friends and I'm the only who caught the bullet. But like you said it's just the lottery of it.
Garyvh in reply to
Very very true!
I originally started this post because I asked my mother if she has told any of the family about my disease. She said no because it’s an alcoholic disease and she is ashamed of it. I haven’t seen her side of the family for about 30 years. We are close 😂
I made her join a couple of forums and she realised its not just an alcy disease but she still won’t tell the family as they won’t understand.
in reply to Brett11
That's a real shame Brett, as they could/should be a good source of support? But if that's the way it is, then good on you for doing so well! 👍
I've never really been much of a drinker and my cirrhosis is due to autoimmune hepatitis. But I think there's too much pressure to drink. Every birthday card or plaque or even drinking glasses mentions prosecco or gin. I even saw a clock the other day saying "it's prosecco time" Gin is being pushed as trendy, there's every flavour of gin, rhubarb,violet, raspberry etc. I used to make damson gin as gifts for my family as damsons grew wild at the bottom of my garden. Funnily enough I never drank it myself..it just never crossed my mind 😵 anyway, sermon over. Deb
Very true. My wife told me that when she went to buy birthday cards for me (she usually gets 2, one funny and one nicer, more personal type) that most of the funny ones had pints, or shots or wine on them and were to do with being plastered and the few without booze on them weren't really that funny.
in reply to alfredthegreat
So true!
They even have mango wine over here.
in reply to Brett11
Opens the sluice gates at both ends?
in reply to Brett11
I love mango, well used to, for some reason it’s another of the forbidden fruits for me. Especially hard being brung up on the Rock 😠
Miles
🇧🇧
in reply to
Miles, I know with grapefruits it prevents medications from being absorbed properly in the small intestine. My dad is diabetic and isnt allowed to eat them for that exact reason as it doeant let his meds get absorbed in. I wonder if the ban they gave you on mangos is for a similar reason?
in reply to
Hey!
I’ve got quite a list of not allowed yes, grapefruit is a nono, it even says that on one of my tabs, coconut, mango, banana (I think). I need to find the bits of paper with these written down. My trouble is I only take notice when they are one of my favourites omg coconut water!!!
Miled
Mango is my favorite fruit. I bought 4 last week!
Every second tree is a mango tree over here.
I lived in Melbourne until I was six so maybe that's why I'm addicted to them. We lived in Cyprus for a while and you could just pick lemons, satsumas, oranges and figs from the branches overhanging the pavement...wonderful🍋🍊
in reply to Brett11
Oh how I love mangos. I have read the maganese in them is a no no for the compromised liver but i dont know how true that is to be honest. But I love them
Brett11 in reply to
How did the original post morph suddenly into mangos ? 🤷♀️ 😆
in reply to Brett11
I was just about to say that this is probably one of the longest post Ive seen so far. Its needs a map upon entry. Like a "Welcome to Brett's 10p Land" map of the theme park. "Walk this way to get to the mighty Athiest rollercoaster". "That way to get to Jesus ville for the kiddies." "This way to the mango appreciation centre and taste challenge" Oh and " dont forget to visit our liver shaped gift shop on your way out"
Lmao!
Brett11 in reply to
The longest post in history was mine when I asked everyone how they came about their usernames. But this one is getting there.
in reply to
Lmao! or mango!
Nifty work Sherlock
in reply to
Well the amount of times you commented on my post. Doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure it out
in reply to
I believe in both freedom of expression and your right to have your beliefs. Remember though that this is a health forum and there are many of us here who are going through serious health issues. I have a right to say that I personally don’t believe that your Jesus made the medical advances that allowed me to survive my illness. I also note that you avoided the question about antibiotic resistance, why?
in reply to
Hmm hidden must be Jesus in disguise?
What do I know..
Don’t all shout at once. I know I know noothhing
Brett - more Fawlty Towers 😁
Pilo
in reply to
Careful Milo, I have just purchased a second hand lighting conductor off eBay. No prizes for guessing which building. 🙏
in reply to
You got me again Mark, what are you talking about 😁 I just can’t keep up with your (obviously very clever) riddles 😁
Miles
in reply to
Miles,
Have a word at QE, they might know a decent barber.
Think upwards, as in Spire.
Mark
in reply to
Strike me down Miles, perhaps it’s the meds and not the hair.
in reply to
Someone help me please!! ATG?
in reply to
Milo, engage brain or you will be struck down by lightning ⛈
alfredthegreat in reply to
For lightning to strike somewhere.
in reply to alfredthegreat
Well I thought lightning was involved - but still don’t get it. Ah well, it’s obviously totally lost on me and I resign myself to not getting it 😁
Miles
in reply to
Miles I will need to spell it out, say the wrong things and you will be stuck down by lightning. My conductor has just been delivered, so I am more comfortable giving clarification. The reason for being cryptic was the shocking grasp of grammar from the individual who told me what I was dealing with. Strike me down Gov’, I finally got it off my chest.
in reply to
Aha thx - well u gotta mit waz a bit obtuse
😁
Milo
in reply to
Obscure, check your ammonia levels?
in reply to
Lol I thought about saying that to you 🙂
in reply to
I sure you did not mean obtuse Milo, well I mean I hope not. I had to wait until the conductor was fitted, yup rubber shoes, before clarification. The man/woman/sheep/ass works in mysterious ways and I am in his cross hairs. 😇😇
in reply to
There are mysterious things out there.
Yep. Don’t mention religion, politics or the war.
I mentioned the war once but I think I got away with it 😂
Faulty Towers
I was a heavy drinker but my last visit to a top consultant resulted in me being told that I have severe NAFLD and my cirrhosis might not be alcohol related. (or a combination of both).
Everyone just assumes it was alcohol and the stigma of what many see as a self inflicted injury never goes.
As I just told you in PM, I do not have his number, maybe you could share it on the forum. We all have certain questions to ask him/her/them/it?
He certainly is not helping with your grammar.
Brett11 in reply to
Yet again religion starts another war 😂
Can someone tell me a joke PLEASE??
in reply to Brett11
I went out dressed like a chicken last night and met a girl who was dressed like an egg. One thing led to another and the lifelong question was answered: it was the chicken.
Shashwoo in reply to
hahahahahahahaha!!!
Grank in reply to
Thank you for that lol 😂 on my way to see QEH liver consultant to find out what can be done about my 3cm HCC. Cheered us up no end!
in reply to
Omg it took me a minute to get it - blurry brainfog - well that’s my excuse, others - like my wife - oh and jojo 😁 - would just say I AM slow...
Good one klodian, never saw that one coming round the mountain.
MP
It's the hypocrisy of heavy drinkers that drives me INSANE! There they are in the pub, or in their own living room, drink in hand, and they condescend with the likes of "I'm so proud of you", "You've done so well", etc, etc, until you want to shove their glass of booze where the sun don't shine! I don't need the likes of them to be proud of me, I'M proud of me and I'm sober when I say it!
in reply to Darsmum100
Go for it dars, but I don’t think you needed to beat about the bush so much...
Brilliant! 👍
in reply to Darsmum100
Fucking amazing anaology
I am very blessed to have 4th stg for 7 years. Hope everything is ok with you!
peoples stigma about it is due to themsaying it is self induced which is true but they are the people who do not have a life sit with there thumb up there ar** as they will not go out in case thet get run over
My wife got cirrhosis and she only drank about a 1/4 of a bottle of vodka a day and only for about a year whilst i was throwing 60 pints a week down my neck and I have no problems
Some people just need educating that there is more than the four walls they sit in
Dave
I was diagnosed over a year ago and was ashamed to tell my brother's n sisters but after telling them and getting their support I don't give a dam who knows and what they think of me. My liver is probably better than those who judge me but continue to binge drinking.😁
Good on yer jm 😁👍
My daughters are 28 and 32 and my son is 30. They all drink but not on a daily basis. One of my daughters and my son are doing dry January and veganjanuary. My daughter said she's tried Gordon's and tonic which apparently alcohol free. It's 50p a can and she said it's made her realise how much they were spending on trendy gins.
PS Brett that’s worth more than 10p...
😅
Now about a £1000...
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