Advice..

[Nick_123]

Hello again. It's been awhile. I've been away from the site for a while posting that is I read it every night. The reason for not posting is because I feel like a failure. I'm back on the drink, well I was off it for a while joined AA I did really well so well I thought that I could drink again.

So I did only this time it was worse. It involved strong ciders and cheap vodka most nights. i have some medical knowledge, and have done alot of reading around this. I've come to the conclusion that I now have cirrhosis I obvs don't know what stage but my last bender was last Fri Sat Sunday, since then I haven't touched a drop and attending AA again (I know this is to little to late)

After stopping last Sunday and going cold turkey I've had the worst withdrawl symptoms ever. Sweats, really dry mouth, insomnia, hearing voices (well music) vivid dreams when I can sleep, lots of muscleloss over a few months, hiccups and really strange bowel sounds loud grumbles, also I notice belly slightly bigger and alot wobblyer. And today yawning alot. Also I've had a pain under ribs untill today. Basicly I would like to know if anyone else has experienced those sort of things detoxing and am I correct about my diagnosis in your eyes.

I'm so worried but think I'm gonna have to tell people. Thank you nick

[Morton365]

How old are you ' how long you been drinking how many years ?

[Nick_123 in reply to Morton365]

Hi 44 this month. More than 10 I know...

I was just thinking it could be the sudden hit again after the break but i am feeling so tired today could be lack of sleep as with the yawning but who knows

[Morton365 in reply to Nick_123]

You've not been drinking long to have cirrhosis. Takes about 12-15 years everyday heavy drinking without having a rest do you have a consultant? He or she would inform you not a good idea self diagnosing oneself if one is not knowledgeable about your liver . In the meantime get yourself a nice cup of tea and get yourself a copy of the beano .

[Nick_123 in reply to Morton365]

Ha. I dont want to have this! I started drinking at 16/17when joined army then pretty much constantant. I'm worried Morton like we all are. I had bloods done 5 months ago and gamma was 70 as was alt. Top range is 50 so I thought that's not to bad I'll give it a break and go from there. But now all this has happened. Im so worried that's all. Cheers nick

[Hidden]

Hi Nick,

I am sorry to hear of your troubles. You can't diagnose yourself, you need to see a doctor and get tests. But no matter the diagnosis, your prognosis is going to be better if you quit drinking for good. I only have 17 days sober myself. But we can't change the past, only the future. Now you realise you are ill (I'm not talking about the liver, I'm talking about the drinking), you can start taking steps to getting better. If AA was working for you before, it's great that you've gone back. Do you have family that you can talk to? I am sure they love you and would want you to get well again.

BTW, every symptom you have described sounds like detox and/ or the consequences of an unhealthy lifestyle to me. The dreams are something I have had. Mention your symptoms to the doctor including the wobbly belly and they can give you a physical exam and order tests.

Rooting for you x

[Nick_123 in reply to Hidden]

Thank you for the kind and sensible reply. And well done you for the 17 days. Keep it up. Just finished the meeting tonight and the speaker did a talk about how the drink will kill us in one way or the other, either physically or mentally or both! Very true words. Girlfriend doesn't know about symptoms neith do family, I'm hoping they won't have to, but something isn't Ill keep you posted no matter what. Keep up the good work x

[Hidden in reply to Nick_123]

You keep up the good work too! You've got this! X

[Hidden in reply to Nick_123]

Hi Nick

Hard times for you - been there as I think a lot of us have! But you really, as Dorset says, should tell your girlftiend and/or your family. They may surprise you how sympathetic they are (most people, imho, know they themselves that they drink too much and think, there but for the grace of God, go I. When my wife realised I was in a bad bad way through drink she said “we’ll stop together”! She did and I did and 4 and a half years ago 😁 not a drop not even my favourite sherry trifle 😁. It was blurry hard but worth it in spades now.

Go for it Nick!

Miles

[FuzzyWasShe in reply to Hidden]

Your wife is wonderful for doing that with you, Miles! How I wish my dad had done the same for my mom!

[Hidden in reply to FuzzyWasShe]

Yes Fuzzy I am indeed a lucky lucky man. Sorry about your Dad and Mom but I sympathise to a degree (a large degree because I think it’s hard enough for the ill person to stop let alone stop because of someone else? 😑)

Miles

[Coralsun]

Hi Nick. Well done for having got off it for a while, I'm sure you can do it again. You really do need to go down the proper investigative medical route to see where you health is at in relation to your alcohol intake. This would prevent all the worry and speculation to whether there are any issues. Also, if there are any changes to the health of your liver I think you'll find it a greater incentive not to drink if you have that knowledge. I really hope that everything will be found to be ok but either way you have to make a sensible decision on how you drink in the future or if you drink. If you don't think you can stay within the limits it is time to stop. I and others on this forum regret not having done so before it made us unwell.

I truly hope everything goes well for you.

Coralsun

[Nick_123 in reply to Coralsun]

Hi good advice. I know Google can be dangerous. Funny you said that about drinking. I really haven't craved alcohol even when I'm alone since all this started, I'm to scared. I'm not going yo drink again, however I went to another AA meeting last night and thought the same. Why did I not come here before it got like this. 2little2late I thought.

I'll see what they say and let you know.

Thanks for message take care of yourself

[Coralsun in reply to Nick_123]

Ditto. I just came across this forum in December and it's a lot of help. There's nothing like a reality bites moment to give us momentum to pack it in. You're still a young man and taking control now will serve you well I'm sure. Good luck.

Coralsun

[MoodySunflower]

Hi Nick: Don’t beat yourself up. Relapsing is common, alas. Do see a doctor as soon as you can. I recently slipped back into drinking (due to boredom and loneliness), and will be honest with my doctor next time I see him. Hang in there.

[Nick_123 in reply to MoodySunflower]

Ta. Take care

[Hidden]

What everyone is saying here is true in regards to diagnosis. Only medical testing can diagnose something like cirrhosis. Not that you cant have cirrhosis. 10 plus years is definitely sufficient enough. However not everyone gets cirrhosis. About 10 to 20 percent of heavy drinkers will. That doesnt mean that the other 80 to 90 percent are immune to liver disease. Liver disease will eventually happen to all who heavy drink. What is more worry some than cirrhosis is alcoholic hepatitis. Its short term mortality rate is incredibly higher. You should get in and get some blood work and scans done especially since regardless of if or not you have liver disease you are clearly showing signs of body dependence alcoholism. The experiences you are having are likely due to the withdrawals. Such withdrawls should be taken under medical help to detox. Dont worry about the fact that you " screwed up" by drinking again. It happens and it's ok. What's important is getting it back under control and letting this be a wake up to yourself that you are likely not going to be able to be a person who can socially drink without returning to heavy drinking. But that is each person's own choice to make for themselves. Keep in mind though that if it is liver disease, especially alcoholic hepatitis or cirrhosis your life will depend on abstinence not just your self esteem. Good luck and keep in touch if you need help anytime.

[Bermuda1]

Hi Nick , some.people drink.very heavily for life and never get cirrhosis, however some people do get cirrhosis after a period of a decade or more of hard drinking . Some people will have cirrhosis within a shorter time span than that . There are no set hard and fast rules . Each person is genetically different and there are other variables which may affect too , general diet , eating enough ,over the counter meds , other medical issues , any auto immune diseases . You could have a myriad of issues which you may be unaware of which contribute to getting cirrhosis , I know I did. See a Dr , to be sure, worrying won't help you at all . Yes you must stay away from alcohol as it is no good for your health in many areas.

[JDA69]

Hi Nick, I'm married to an alcoholic and the worst thing you can do is not tell your loved ones about your symptoms and your worries. How can we look after you and care for you if we don't know what's going on? My husband does have cirrhosis and we went through a horrendous time last year with hospitalisations, detoxes and relapses but he has been sober for 7 months and his health has improved dramatically. He tried AA but it wasn't for him but have you been referred to your local substance misuse service? They put him on an online course for addiction and also started him on Acamprosate, which suppresses the urge to drink alcohol, it may not work for everyone but it has worked brilliantly for him. It's just another option to discuss with your GP. Tell your girl friend and your family about your concerns, you need to feel loved and supported in your journey to recovery, everyone deserves that x

[Nick_123]

You sound like a lovely woman. I feel alot better today. My drinking was out of control and I hurt everyone I loved. It's been a week now since my last drink. Well done your hubby. It's a hard thing to do. But i bet both of your lifes are better now. Ill go docs next week and let you know. Keep strong and enjoy your new lifes together. Ill keep you posted xx

[sunnysmile]

Hi Nick, I have been on here for several months; great site. It is THE hardest thing trying to kick alcohol into touch. I have drank way way too much for years and decided to come clean and tell my doc. She referred me to alcohol abuse/drugs centre which is not my thing to sit and confess all in a room of strangers so did not go. I decided to cut right back (not out as far too worried of what will happen). I told my hubs I was alcoholic and he laughed and told me not to be ridiculous! He used to be a massive big drinker (like 18 pints per session with his footy mates on a Thurs/Fri/Saturday after training and a game. Now he can quite happily have a can of beer before dinner and a single whiskey before bed. What a turn around.

What I have done is to drop from a bottle of wine a night to 2 single units of wine Monday to Friday. This has gone well for the last several months. But what hubs still insists on doing is stocking up for Xmas with 2 bottles of every single spirit, plus tia maria, baileys, sherry et al. Plus of course lagers, beers. A visitor made a comment that there was more alcohol in our house than in his local!!!!!!!!!!!!! He can't understand that I dare not just have none at all. I swear those bottles sitting comfortably in their optics have a mouth that grins at me when I walk past them. It is so hard not to stick a glass under the optic and I have to focus on constantly fighting the urge.

JDA's words "how can we look after you and care for you" what a lovely thing to say and I agree with you she sounds like a lovely woman. Lucky hubs there

I have fatty liver after ultra - my diet, luckily, is very good - don't do processed or puds etc. I exercise daily and drink loads of water. But I have this feeling of doom all the time so I understand your mindset.

You have quit before (more than I have done) so you know you can. But I do know from being on this informative site, that as soon as you stop the poisen you start to improve; then implement liver friendly foods like lechithin (eggs) and others, exercise your liver gently and thinks start smiling in your body.

Apols for going on, just my input on a very very hard rocky road to go down, but with mates on here like you will develop, well what can I say - who will be the winner - YOU!

Good luck bud but I don't think you will need it - as someone on here has already said - you have got this.

Best to you

Gwen (UK)