Concerned

I drink once a week, at weekends (on Saturday) and the quantity is usually 1 full 750ml bottle of white wine plus 3 187ml sized bottles of white wine. Occasionally, this may be slightly more. This has been going on for a number of years, in fact I used to drink way more than this (I drank on Fridays and Saturdays) but- but managed to stop the Friday drinking. I always worry my liver is damaged, even though I have alcohol free days, I am scared that the years of weekend drinking have caused damaged. This was compounded by recent nauseas and diahoerra, which I read can by a symptom of liver disease. Oh, and bloating too. I am going to try to stop drinking for a bit, but it has made me extremely anxious. I feel too ashamed to tell anybody, other than write it in here. Anyone have any advice of experience in this?

[Countrywalks]

Dont stop for a bit stop for good alcohol is just toxic poision your body does not need it. it damages many other organs in the body as well as the liver .please read the storys on this forum about the devistation it causes . And get an appointment with your gp to get things checked out . Save your own life now before its too late .

[Mywildlove]

Hi Sarah. I was a very heavy drinker for about 6 years. I was putting back at least a pint of whiskey a night, on the days I decided to get sh*t faced I would drink half of a 60 oz bottle of whiskey. As far as I know, I don’t have cirrhosis but my fiancé does and it’s from the drinking. If you’re worried about your liver then please get help. See your doctor and tell them you want tested. If you think you have an issue with alcohol then seek help for that too. Please believe me when I say that not a single drink is worth all the heartache, anxiety, worry, and sadness that comes with cirrhosis. And that’s only looking at it from the caregivers (me) side. The earlier you catch it, the better because it can be managed with eating healthy, no drinking, and exercise.

[Countrywalks in reply to Mywildlove]

Very well worded and totally true it is not worth the pain and suffering one bit

[TT-2018]

Hi,

I would discuss your concerns with a GP, so I suggest that you make an appointment to see them.

Whilst undoubtedly drinking alcohol in those quantities in one day would not be good for you, the symptoms you have described could be caused by a myriad of things. Be completely honest with your doctor and they should be able to take care of your health.

I wish you every success.

[1football]

Hi Sarah

The fact that you are concerned regards how much you drink should set alarm bells ringing so well done for speaking up,get yourself if to GP and speak regards your health concerns and be honest as you have here.

Good luck and let us all know how you get on

Huw

[Hidden]

Hi Sarah

Welcome to this friendly forum 😁

Like others say you do really need to discuss with your doctor!

My experience is I probably drank at least as much as you did on a Saturday but I drank that amount every night - no rest nights. And did this for 20+ odd years - I can’t remember to be honest! I never really like to say to someone give up drink because that would be highly hypocritical of me BUT if your doctor says to cut back or stop well...I wish I had heeded that advice years earlier than I finally did! By the time I did it was too late ☹️👎🏻

Get yerself down to yer doctor!

Good luck Sarah 👍

Miles

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

Thanks for your reply. Did you become aware your liver was damaged or was it picked up by doctor when undergoing other tests?

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

Hi sarah

I didn’t pick it up myself it just seemed to come out of some other tests I was having for low white/red (can’t remember which!) blood cell count and low platelet count.

Good luck again 😁

Miles

[Hidden]

Hi Sarah

I agree with others and would suggest seeing your GP and explain your concerns! I'm not a drinker but have possible liver issue's which are being investigated! My husband however like's a bottle or two of wine or a few whiskey's, he's also aware of the forum and my friends but he still drinks about 4 days out of 7 a week and his bloods are ok which is good in one way but very frustrating for me in another as he's on 8 No medications for numerous bad angina attacks but he still carry's on which makes me feel! Errrr!

Anyway pop and see that doc of yours to put your mind at rest!

Good luck and welcome to the caring bunch ! 😁😁😁

Trish

[harrietsssss]

Thanks for having the trust in us to write here. The fact you are worried seems to show you feel there is a problem with your lifestyle. I didn't know how much I had damaged my body until it got really bad, and even then found it hard to admit out loud to doctors what I had been doing to myself. But not one doctor or consultant has ever judged me , they were all supportive. If you feel ill see your doctor and just tell them your concerns, believe me and others , damaging the liver has immense impacts on the body , in ways I would never have believed and wouldn't want on anyone. good luck and keep in touch

[Hidden in reply to harrietsssss]

Well said harriet! There must be many of us who did not own up to the amount we were actually drinking. So frightening in retrospect ☹️.

Miles

[Roy1955]

If you had 20 shots of vodka in an evening you would know you had a problem.

Your wine intake has the same alcohol content as 20 shots of vodka!

[CocoChannel]

Hi Sarah, as discussed on PM, I used to drink a bit more than you albeit spread over the whole week. I have/had a fatty liver, but all the aches and pain are pretty much gone. There’s also the increased cancer risk. If you’re able to quit, great. If not, your GP will help with quitting and blood tests to check all is OK. It’s good you can say an accurate weekly amount, i.e. one and three quarter bottles. Your GP will have seen this before and won’t be shocked or judgemental. I promise you’ll be very relieved once you’ve seen your GP, and in a few months you’ll be just like me 👍😀

[Hidden]

Hi Sarah,

It is postive that you are now mindful of your alcohol useage and the damage it can cause to your liver.

Here is the link to our publication 'Alcohol and liver disease'

britishlivertrust.org.uk/li...

Maybe you could think about seeing your GP for some support and testing?

If you need to have a chat, our helpline is open Monday to Friday on 0800 652 7330

Warm wishes

Trust1

[Hidden]

Hi Sarah. There really is no need to feel ashamed. Its very easy to get hooked on this poison. The important thing is you are aware it's becoming a problem to your health and need to stop now and for good before it gets out of control and makes you seriously ill.

As has already been mentioned, speak to your GP, be as honest with him as you have here about the quantity you have been drinking and by letting him know how much you want to stop, he will point you in the right direction for getting help to stop.

You may well be able to stop using your own will power, filling the time you would normally spend drinking with a new hobby or interest.

If you struggle on your own, again dont be ashamed to ask for professional help.

Wishing you all the best.

Laura

[Hidden]

Hi Sarah

Was just wondering how your getting on as it's been quite a few days since I last wrote ! I think we all would love to hear from you!

Take care my friend

Love Trish x

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

Hi Trish,

Thanks for your message. Here is an update:

A week last Saturday, I got quite drunk at a wedding, which was fun, but awoke at 4.45am with terrible anxiety and didnt get back to sleep. My partner also drank a lot but doesnt seem to suffer with this.

Obviously I know it is the alcohol but I just hate how for no real reason I awake and in an awful state, random horrible thoughts, feel like I am going mad, chest pain, fast heartbeat, light headed, unable to sleep or even feel relaxed! Even on the Monday, I felt awful, really on edge and a bit disconnected/unreal. I just DON’T UNDERSTAND THIS, it didn’t used to happen!

So anyway, the Saturday just gone, I didn’t drink at all (we have a wedding this coming Saturday and I decided to have a break from alcohol, which was not easy, as I was bored and restless, but I did manage to undertake some arts and crafts activity, including candle making and painting rocks/pebbles), shopping (spent far too much to cheer myself up – both online and in physical shops), eating, clearing out rubbish/organising arts and crafts stuff, washing, clothes and listing things on eBay. I didn’t sleep great last night but don’t feel as bad as I normally do on a Monday, eg groggy, sometimes tearful, lethargic, fed up and bloated. I was also able to leave the house yesterday and go into town for lunch out with my partner and his son.

I feel quite pleased I managed a weekend without it, but I wish it wasn’t so hard

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

Oh Sarah

You really are going through the mill Sarah whichbis tough , but at least you've made a start by not drinking last weekend which is an achievement, its a tiny step but you've done it!

Is it the taste of alcohol you like or the buzz it gives you ? or are you drowning out things going on in your life?

It nice to read that your not sitting around with a bottle in your hand and

that your keeping busy with your arts and crafts which is lovely! I'm a little arty , I too paint on the odd occasion and have been known to see up a few bits and pieces. Alfredthegreat and his wife have got me making Oine Cone Christmas Trees🤣🤣🤣. My dining room is a total mess with numerous boxes of paints glue gun, cards, boxes of beads and a huge bin bag full of pine cones and this is only to mention a small part of it all!

Look I'm here like most, if your having a shitty day PM me and I'll reply as soon as I can .

Try to hang on in there!

Heres another cyberspace hug !!!!

Love Trish xxxx

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

Thanks Trish! Do you still drink ever?

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

Hi Sarah

I've never had a drinking problem myself which I hope does not stop our friendship! I'm on this forum as I'm investigation for none alcoholic PBC Primery Billary Cirrhosis !

I can relate to what you've written as I've watched others recover and others who didnt !

I'm here if you want to chat more

Love Trish x