Fatty liver ultrasound

[Dazza85]

I'm 33 drinking daily 5 years since breakdown . I am trying to wean off the alcohol slowly down to 10 units alcohol daily about 5 cans lager . I feel so unwell told my doctor I feel so weak and head feels spaced out I feel like not really here doctor thinks it's because my liver needs a rest . I can't help thinking it's something else

[Dazza85]

Also suffer anxiety but don't take my meds yet

[AyrshireK]

Did your doctor not do any blood tests ? - with your current level of alcohol use you may well be experiencing alcohol related liver inflammation.

Did your doctor discuss your alcohol consumption and a safe reduction plan? It sounds like you need some additional help to safely reduce and detox.

Have a read at the British Liver Trust page about alcohol and the liver, some of your symptoms are probably down to your high level of alcohol intake and your liver is complaining - as your doctor says your liver needs a rest.

Prolonged, high alcohol use can cause your liver to become inflamed and in turn it becomes fatty and thereafter can start to become damaged. As your liver becomes damaged it tries to repair itself and in doing so becomes fibrous and can eventually become cirrhotic.

You need to safely address your alcohol intake and indeed get to a point where your liver is less stressed and hopefully symptoms might start to go away.

Have a read at the BLT page mentioned :- britishlivertrust.org.uk/li...

Best wishes,

Katie

[Dazza85 in reply to AyrshireK]

My blood tests show higher liver enzymes ggt 171 should be no higher than 55 alt was 80 should be 45

[Hidden]

Hi Dazza85

As Katie has already said, you may want to think about re-visiting your doctor and make them aware again of how you are feeling and the symptoms you are experiencing. It may also be that you need medical support to manage your alcohol intake.

As we say in our publication 'If you are, or have ever been, alcohol dependent or an alcoholic, discuss this with your doctor. In these circumstances it is important to get medical help to give up drinking, as stopping suddenly can, in some cases, lead to severe withdrawal symptoms, including hallucinations and seizures. There are many sources of support and help they can give you or direct you to'

Your GP could also order some more tests to check your liver function and consider referring you to a specialist.

Take care

Trust1

[Dazza85 in reply to Hidden]

Thank you I'm moving area to be close to family well my aunt as my mother doesn't really seem bothered to come and support me. I've been back and forth to doctors lost count they won't do mri or ct scan as they said they have done 2 ultrasounds they tell me the weakness spaced out feeling is anxiety and my liver so stressed out I get the unreality feeling where I don't feel here

[Dazza85 in reply to Dazza85]

Where I'm moving the alcohol services have outreach team which I will need as rarely leave home because so weak and extreme anxiety

[AyrshireK in reply to Dazza85]

Make sure you do pick up the services on offer from the alcohol outreach team. You don't need more scans or tests at this stage but you do need support to get that drinking not only under control but stopped if possible and that will give your liver some time to recover. As your doctors have said your liver is stressed, you ALT and GGT being raised are indicators that your liver is unhappy. Stopping the alcohol in a controlled and supported manner is the necessary action just now and once your liver is less stressed then you can follow up to see if there has been any lasting damage.

You need to get your anxiety issues dealt with too, alcohol as a crutch isn't helping your anxiety but only making it worse ......... it's a vicious cycle.

Don't push for medical tests but do push for support with your anxiety and for help with your drink issues.

You'll get lots of support on here so stick around and fingers crossed having hit the point where you know you need to stop then you are on the road to a brighter future.

Best wishes, Katie

[Hidden]

I dealt with severe anxiety and depression for years. The only time the crippling panic would subside is if I drank. I was drinking upwards to 18 beers and shots of whiskey a day near the end. What ended up happening is that I got put in the hospital with alcoholic hepatitis and quite advanced liver disease but no resolution to the panic. So it did nothing to aid me in the long run as far as treating my underlying panic and depression. Infact once all the alcohol was out of my system and a year has past I'm more anxious and depressed now than I ever have been. Because now I have to add the fact that I have alcohol induced liver disease to the list of things to cause stress. So whilst it worked for me at the time. In the long run the results have proven catastrophic. It's very easy when we are in the " fog " of it all to keep telling ourselves that we are going to stop and get a better solution to the underlying issue but, like a snap of the fingers years go by and our health declines not only physically but mentally as well. We worry about the liver but it's one of many things affected by alcohol misuse. The mind becomes altered over time, the bones are affected, the blood, other organs etc. The bitch of it all is that alcohol really suppresses the pain and symptoms. It's when we drop the alcohol we realize how bad off we really are. Get some help and fight this in the absence of alcohol as soon as you can. Dont end up where I am my friend.

[Dazza85]

Thank you Phoenix