Just a little question if I may

As you know I am currently experiencing discomfort R upper quadrant, and particularly in back by spine. Not constantly, but intermittently, almost like a good day, a bad day.

I have been reading a lot of your posts, and many of you say how much your livers health improved by never drinking again, and I am currently day 24 with not a drop of alcohol, got a long way to go but am on the right track. And that is very encouraging.

But I have also read posts where people have been tea total for many YEARS and then developed cirrhosis. And that is what I don't understand? How does that happen please?

Thank you x

[Isabelle2]

Hi

Well done for doing Stoptober! It sounds as if you might be worried about how much you drank before. The important thing is not to go back to your old ways.

If I were you I’d get an appointment with your gp to have a liver function test. It’s just a simple blood test. You can say that you’ve stopped but want to make sure your liver isn’t damaged. Your gp should be please you are being proactive.

As for none drinkers getting cirrhosis that is true. I believe the number is on the rise. The most common reason is a fatty liver due to an unhealthy diet. Too much saturated fat etc being the cause.

If course there are also other medical reasons for cirrhosis such as auto immune hepatitis which are nothing to do with lifestyle.

I’d go see your gp, get a pat on the back for your abstinence and also peace of mind by having the blood test.

I hope this helps

Isabelle xx

[Hidden in reply to Isabelle2]

thank you, I have an appointment for 6th November, I will of course relay how I get on because people have been so kind to me, but I am already following advice of better diet, more exercise - just walking as I have a dodgy hip but increased upto just short of 10k steps daily. Am hoping as I lose weight the pressure on my hip will let me get to 12k daily. Thank you again xx

[CocoChannel]

Can’t comment on the “delayed” cirrhosis idea, but my aches and pains came and went for eight months after I quit drinking, and I’m very active and slim (I wasn’t always by any means). Then I had a private fibroscan just to make sure all was OK (it was) and bizarrely the pains vanished almost immediately. Maybe it was partly a mental thing. Even if all is OK, don’t be overly surprised/worried if the aches go on a bit longer. Obviously, ask your GP if you’re worried.

And well done on 24 days 🙂

[Hidden in reply to CocoChannel]

thank you for that, that is reassuring. I am losing weight, new way of eating but I think also dropping all those calories I was drinking daily is helping, 9lbs down thus far. Not hungry like I used to be all the time, but just trying to keep myself occupied without grazing.

As I have previously said, I do have a little health anxiety, and whilst I know that my liver aches etc and belching / nausea are very real because of how I have drank in the past, but I do understand your point of view totally.

Thank you again x

[Whitelock]

Well done amazing keep it up. I would ask for the liver function test. Not every one that has drunk heavily gets cirrhoses but heavy drinking can cause this. If there is liver damage stopping drinking your liver can recover and repair. If anyone does get told they need a transplant. You have to stop drinking for a year to be listed. Your consultant will discuss and check your liver and hopefully all will be ok xx

[Hidden in reply to Whitelock]

Thank you, seeing my GP early November, and no intention ever of drinking again. This episode......and I have been here before......has brought me up sharply in my tracks. x