Monday marked three months with no alcohol! Yay for me!! I likely have cirrhosis. Follow up with Doc on Monday. Symptoms of ascites, and other random symptoms sent me to the doc three months ago. As soon as they suggested it was something with my liver I quit drinking. I have read EVERYTHING I can get my hands on to help me help myself. Two steps forward one step back but in general staying healthy.
I actually am really happy without the alcohol.
I wish everyone here good health, love and support.
Written by
wildlifegal
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That's awesome, I love that you are really happy without the alcohol!! I think sometimes people get in their own way, and put all this pressure on themselves, when it really is just a choice you make.
I like how you put thought and effort into what you will have in place of alcohol. That is really important when you know that you are going to be tempted (holidays for ex.).
You are doing so well, keep it up! 👍😀
Hi gal
Like boot says it’s great that you are so full of happiness after three months without vimto and you seem to take it in your stride. Long may it continue 👍
Boot’s second para infers she knows more about you than you’ve let on here but whatever it is you’ve done to make up for the no vimto scenario it must be good! Perhaps you - or boot actually 😁- could share what it is with us 😁. We could all do with a little bit of your stardust 😁👍
Oddly enough quitting the wine was much easier than I imagined. I had been drinking too much for years and years. I knew I should quit. I had cut back many times but couldn't quite quit. I was frightened. What if I have withdraw symptoms? How will I cope with stress without wine?
The right motivation of realizing I had really damaged my liver over came all of that.
I never have cravings (except every now and then when my mom drives me crazy! Hah!) No triggers. I can be around others drinking and don't feel uncomfortable or tempted.
If only I knew then what I know now. Ah well, water under the bridge. All we can do is keep moving forward.
It’s funny that’s what I have written several times on this forum if only if only ☹️. Shame. But you’re right we all just have to keep moving forward! 👍😁. Great thoughts!
I found it relatively easy to quit too. What’s difficult, well impossible, is to stop for a while and restart at a so-called moderate level. There are numerous studies showing most ex-heavy drinkers will return to their old ways if they start again, no matter how much they intended to only be light drinkers. It’s a miserable existence to for an ex-heavy drinker to try and moderate.
I know a guy who drinks a lot and is clearly dependent, but he’s now trying to keep below 14 units a week. He manages it most weeks, but he has so much anguish in doing so. It’s pitiful to see and that level of urge means he’s almost certain to drink more. If he has the willpower to cut down, he’d easily stop, but he has the usual saying “but I like the taste!” I did too, but I know I was dependent so I had the choice to quit or be a heavy drinker forever.
I finally quit 200 days ago to the day. I’m pleasantly surprised that the urge has totally gone. As you said, though, there will be triggers, so we need to watch out. Keep it up 😀
Cheers, Alf. Only another 530 days to go and I can be a counsellor, even with my occasional alcohol free beverage apparently. Professionals don’t seem to have a problem,
Congratulations from me too on the 200 days of you sucessfully having no alcohol! 💕
I would also like to congratulate the rest of you who have under gone TP's and those of you who have also been able to give up the dreaded pop as I so call it, and have now become stronger people overall! Giving up your precious time to help others in anyway possible is totally amazing on it's own and one day I'm presuming you will all be rewarded!
Note : I totally respect everyone of you for helping others with your serious replies when needed or your silly banter 😉😉! This includes myself who gets carried away at times😁
I love you all for who you are and I'm happy to be part of this forum !
Fantastic achievement well done, keep it up 😀👍 xxx
Hi Wildlifegal
Well your name spells you out in one! Wild Gal grabbing a new life by its ⚽️s
I'm so proud of you especially your comment about feeling much happier without the Vimto as Pilo puts it!
Lifes all about being happy and making those long lasting memories you can look back on later in life which I found we can all do without the Vimto ...
Take care my friend and keep smiling 😂😂😂😂😂
Hope all goes well on the health front !
Love Trish xxx
• in reply to
PS
Just noticed more blummin errors in my message above which I've now amended, I must start re reading stuff before pressing send! 😁😁😁 from my mobile phone!, lol
Congrats you and I reach mine in a few weeks and already the improvement is worth every penny. I look better and sleep better and staying positive. It's a long road but I am enjoying testing out new drinks etc. Wishing you all the best.
GP referred me to a specialist right away after doing labs, ultrasound, and MRI. I'm in the US. Getting into see a specialist is never easy. Waited a month for my first appointment. He reviewed all of the tests I had had up until then, ordered a few more, but other wise didn't offer any sort of treatment plan or diagnosis. I had to ask "do you think we are dealing with cirrhosis here?" He suggested I had probably really damaged my liver but said since I seemed to be improving, perhaps I didn't have cirrhosis. Set up a follow up appointment to go over new tests and assess the situation. The earliest they could get me in was two months after the fist encounter with the specialist! I go on Monday. That is why I don't have an "official" diagnosis.
I am able to access all my test results online. My liver/spleen scan result said "findings suggest cirrhosis versus non cirrhotic portal fibrosis"
My GP did what they should by referring me to the specialist. I am not demanding meds due to self diagnosis. My research is not a random google search. Many hours of reading published books, research and information from trusted institutions (Including the British Liver Trust.) I have to do the best I can to take care of myself since I have sought the appropriate medical care, continue to do so, but have been left in the lurch with no answers or advice for months at a time.
I know you are trying to help, but I do take offense when people say, just trust the doctors. They are often unavailable and rushed. I believe all patients should educate themselves as best they can and be open to the expertise and advice the doctor will bring. I'm currently seeking a new specialist that will be more available.
Brilliant news, I’m sure all the research and reading you’re doing is spurring you on too - I was the same (called it homework 😉) and even did a FutureLearn online course which covered the liver! Until it went wrong, I didn’t know much about it and the more I discovered it did, the more I wanted to look after it (a bit late but better late.....) - I have nothing but admiration for the liver now - it can be so forgiving too.
I hit 500 days yesterday - and I hope it helps when I say it gets better and better and easier and easier. I was out with friends on Weds night at a music and food festival and I can honestly say I was more interested in the food (especially my crêpe!!) than the wine being drunk around me and nobody batted an eyelid when I drank iced tea - I’ve been lucky as I’ve always had supportive friends and we have just as many laughs as we always have had - I just remember them all now!!
Thanks for sharing your positivity, it really will help others and well done on your achievement too 😎
Hi there.well done to you! I myself am six years without but its the jeopardy that comes with drinking for me as I was told I’d die if I had another drink.so it’s a no brainer for me.but for others who post on here even after reading the shit we go through for some reason carry on.i don’t get it. But this site seems to be like a conveyor belt of people who come looking for advice and support about stopping before escalating their cirrhosis.its never ending and something in our society needs to be done and done now.we aren’t being educated on the reality of drinking alcohol or so it seems.youve done the right thing anyway.all the best Paul.
Spot on more needs to done about warning people about the risks of drinking i think most of the population have not got a clue about liver damage and drinking its so unfair there are no proper warnings in place .
Great news. Better to be sober than dead ...or dead drunk. My husband stopped after many years of drinking 2/3 bottles of red a day, starting with breakfast. It took him to A+E with bleeds and a very blunt but kind Serbian doctor to point out he would be dead in a year if he didn't stop. A year later and he hasn't looked back. It sounds like you may well have nipped it in the bud in time. Long my it continue, and your health with it. Enjoy the little things. x
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