Advice needed

[Sambenjoe]

Hi everybody. I have been reading your posts for a while. I have been a heavy drinker for over 40 years and I am overweight. I am worried about liver disease, I have a pain under my right ribs but feels like a pulled muscle and red blotchy palms. The problem is that I can’t bring myself to go to the Dr’s through embarrassment as I am shamed that any problem is self inflicted.

[ThreeSmiles]

Hi Sam

Whatever you do you must not feel ashamed or embarrassed about whatever you’ve done being self inflicted. Of course all of us who have suffered through over imbibing initially feel embarrassed and even guilty but that’s not how you will be made to feel by any medical staff. The only choice you have is whether you go to your doctors today or tomorrow. Don’t put it off or bury your head in the sand. I really wish I had sorted myself out sooner. The sooner you get yourself looked at the sooner you will know whether you have anything to worry about , or, if you’re very lucky, nothing to worry about.

Please get to the doctors soonest. And when you do don’t try and understate the amount you have drunk all all of those years, be honest 👍.

Good luck.

Miles

[Hidden in reply to ThreeSmiles]

Copy that. Thought I was first post or could have been if my tinternet hadn't couped. Didn't we use the same sand pit?🤔

[ThreeSmiles in reply to Hidden]

Must have. Did make me smile though 😀👍

[Hidden]

It will be a shame if you don't seek Medical advice and address your concerns before it's too late.

There is no shame on here only gain. Gain the confidence to confirm the condition of your liver health. Gain the strength to adjust accordingly. The simple blood tests will be a start of your journey. You need help you can't self medicate.

No-one will apportion blame.

Get your head out of the sand and make that appointment and be true to both yourself & GP. 🤔

[Hidden]

Hi Sam

Firstly welcome from me!

Secondly this is just s brief note to say I agree with others who have already replied, I recommend you make that appointment to see your doctor because you will only worry your socks off until you do!

In the meantime please take care of yourself

Shropshire Lass

[Hidden]

Sam - ThreeSmiles and Ofeckman said it all really.

Can I just add, grab two sheets loo paper. On one write SHAME. On the other write SELF INFLICTED then screw them up then flush them down the WC. That's where they belong.

Avoid anyone who thinks you should be ashamed or that you have deliberately made yourself ill. Don't say anything negative about yourself either - you have to be a very good friend to yourself.

It takes courage to start to make ourselves healthier. Be pleased with yourself because you have begun. It's a long road. It will be easier if you get help. It's never ok for you or anyone else to make that harder than it needs to be for you. Loads of us here are on your side! Best wishes.

[ThreeSmiles in reply to Hidden]

Indeed we are!!

[Wass71]

Hi, I have said many times on this forum, that people who drink alcohol are doing nothing illegal. You are even encouraged to increase your use by offers in supermarkets, happy hours in pubs etc. Alcohol is very addictive, and you can easily build tolerance needing more to get the same effect.

Add to that life's stresses, troubles, depression or other mental health difficulties or physical pain, and it becomes a medicine.

You have done nothing to be ashamed of, as others have said, you should feel proud that you've recognised that you need to get checked out. I agree with others, the sooner the better. We have many examples on this forum of people who have managed to stay sober, change their diet and increase exercise, thus improving their liver health. The liver is a very clever organ, so there is always hope.

Please see your Dr, be honest about your concerns, and move forward dealing with whatever is found.

Best wishes and good luck

Wass

[SugarRush in reply to Wass71]

Lovely encouraging post I'm a recovering alcoholic myself (poor mental health and C-PTSD contributed to that!), and the last thing we need or want is blame or judgement. Your kindness shines through!

[CocoChannel]

Plenty of good advice already.

You’re similar to my situation in that I drank for 30 years albeit more heavily (up to 70 units) over the last fifteen of those. I was obese (BMI 32) and had exactly the same pains you mentioned. In my case, the pains were due to a fatty liver which went, along with the pains, within months after I quit drinking. There was nothing at all wrong that a few lifestyle changes couldn’t fix.

But I had to know my liver was OK so, like you, had to see the GP to get the standard liver function blood tests. My GP didn’t bat an eyelid when I said 70 units a week.

What you need to do, and tell your GP this, is to quit the booze for good, as difficult as this may sound. Don’t tell yourself you’ll cut down as this is impossible for a former heavy drinker, no exceptions. Good luck 🙂

[purple64 in reply to CocoChannel]

Out of curiosity did you have any blips when stopping? My husband seems to go so far then has a blip

[CocoChannel in reply to purple64]

Many many times ☹️ But that’s because I always wrongly believed I’d be able to drink again but moderately. Once I realised the only (and easiest) way was to quit forever, I accepted it. If I do drink again (never say never), it’ll be a big mistake. Apart from the health problems, I’d have to quit all over again, and early withdrawal is one of the hardest things I’ve ever done.

Is your husband a heavy drinker during these blips?

[purple64 in reply to CocoChannel]

Not sure. I guess compared to what it was then no. He was a very heavy whiskey drinker, thinking I didn't know. I appreciate it's difficult but it's frustrating when you are trying to support. At least this blip has been wine and not spirits, trying to be positive 😊

[Hidden in reply to purple64]

Can get quite a good buzz from the wine especially reds. He's kidding himself. 👎

[CocoChannel in reply to purple64]

i must admit I’m glad I never liked whisky or any spirits, but I think you know it’s all the same as far as the body is concerned. If he can take it or leave it and/or stick to the 14 unit limit (which is very valid and not an arbitrary figure), great. If not, you’ve got some nagging to do (sorry I wanted to finish more positively, but it came out wrong 🙂☹️)

[purple64 in reply to CocoChannel]

No that's fine you are right. I think he's kidding himself but it's early days.

[CocoChannel in reply to purple64]

Keep an eye on it. You’re 100% right to nag 🙂

[mattymoo33]

Hi honey. It's all been said by the great people on the forum.

No shame in facing reality and asking for help.

Make today the first day of the rest of your life.

Keep using the forum for support.

🤗🤗🤗

[Sambenjoe]

Thanks everyone for the advice.

[J-rod28 in reply to Sambenjoe]

Please don’t let that feeling of embarrassment stop you from taking care of yourself! You have a TON of support in this forum and just know you are totally doing what’s best for yourself. The past is the past and what you have done doesn’t matter anymore, what matters is your health and if anyone judges you for getting help, you will still have a safe place here! Like many have said you’ve already done the hardest part and that’s reaching out...Welcome!!

-Ashlee

[joeburger]

Hi . Please put your embarrassment behind you and make that Dr's appointment today, you have your reasons for drinking and nobody should ever judge you. I too was a heavy drinker and my palms were blotchy it was the first thing my consultant looked at at my appointments. Your symptoms are pointing to something going on with your liver. If you haven't already stopped or reduced drinking please try it will save your life. I understand what you are feeling believe me but remember this " for them that want to point fingers make sure your own hands are clean " Take care.

[Pellegrino in reply to joeburger]

Joe, do you mind my asking if your blotchy palms already indicated cirrhosis? I've been abstinent for 50 days but these are getting worse for me.

[Sambenjoe in reply to Pellegrino]

Hi. To be honest I still haven’t gone to the Doctors

[joeburger in reply to Pellegrino]

Yes I'm afraid so he also checked to see if my arms flapped when held out straight to check muscle wastage. Have you mentioned your concerns to your doctor ?

Well done on 50 days sober keep, keep going. 👍

[Pellegrino in reply to joeburger]

Cheers Joe. No, my arms/hands don't flap but I have a tremor in my fingers. I have had a contrast CT scan come back showing a normal liver, history of mild fatty liver three years ago, but I'm very symptomatic now. URQ pain, high ALT, high ferritin.

[joeburger in reply to Pellegrino]

I would ask your doctor to explain your blood results to you and an explanation of what could be causing your symptoms.

My blood tests have been all over the place for the last month, weekly tests, MRI scan and put back on steroids.

[Pellegrino in reply to joeburger]

Thanks Joe, I'm very concerned about my blotchy palms and can no medical professional to be concerned about the issue. These get worse on any kind of physical exertion.

[joeburger in reply to Pellegrino]

Have you checked out the British Liver Trust link on symptoms of liver disease. I hope you get some answers, I know it's frustrating mine used to itch as welI when I got warm.

[Pellegrino in reply to joeburger]

I'm in the UK and trying, trying, trying to get to see a consultant at the moment, but it's so difficult... My white blood cell count and creatinine are also dropping. I really just want a prognosis and to know how much time I have.

[joeburger in reply to Pellegrino]

I would keep trying to get referred to a consultant as I can't give you the answers you want I'm not qualified to do that, but I don't think you're going to shuffle off this mortal coil just yet.

[Pellegrino in reply to joeburger]

Thanks for taking the time Joe. I've been assessed by an NHS liver clinic and based on my bloods and APRI and CT scan they say that I don't have cirrhosis but my palms and other symptoms say otherwise...

[joeburger in reply to Pellegrino]

Stress may be adding to your palms being red.

I would accept the results from the clinic and concentrate on eating healthy and staying sober.

[Hidden]

Good morning Sambenjoe,

I can see many of our lovely forum members have reached out to support you and I agree whole heartedly with their sentiments.

The fact that you have admitted to yourself and this forum that you have drunk alcohol to excess is the bravest first step.

The next one is seeking medical advice. If you have pain or ongoing discomfort , this should not be ignored.

You can also call our helpline on 0800 652 7330 if you wish to chat with a liver nurse.

Best wishes for your next steps,

Trust9

[Sambenjoe]

This is probably the wrong answer but unless it is severe the only treatments that I can read about are abstinence,diet, weight loss and exercise all of which are down to me. What else would a GP offer?

[ThreeSmiles in reply to Sambenjoe]

Not beating about the bush....the GP will get you to do blood tests, etc. Tell you to stop drinking and then when you get the results back you are expecting, but hoping against hope you won’t get, will refer you to a hepatologist.

Overall though, This is disconcerting because it means you’ve not taken action yet . I hate to say this but you are only prolonging the almost inevitable...... Just from my experiences of course 😕

Miles

[CocoChannel in reply to ThreeSmiles]

Ditto. You need to know your liver is OK. You won’t know otherwise. Those aches and pains might be from a fatty liver, but it could be something worse. I wanted to know so I could move on.

[Hidden in reply to ThreeSmiles]

Beat me 2 it again. I'm typing on the mobly one finger one thumb keep moving whilst your no doubt laping away in the background. Gr8 minds think a like. Copy that!? 🙄

[ThreeSmiles in reply to Hidden]

Lol. Have you got a poorly thumb. I’m only a one finger at a time man too - but there’s nothing wrong with me except me.....

[CocoChannel in reply to Sambenjoe]

I forgot something important. Although my GP didn’t bat an eyelid at my 70 units a week, I’ll admit it’s a big thing admitting to your GP you drink too much. But I found I was more willing to quit having done so. Now when I see my GP about any other issue, she asks if I’m still drinking (which I find a bit insulting in an amusing way), and I can say with all honesty I’m not. I’m sure GPs can spot a drinker 9 times out of 10 any way.

[Hidden]

One step at a time. Make the call the bloods will not lie. GP will take it from there. If you need help to stop you will get medication, support & advice.

Nobody here is going to tell you can carry on drinking to whatever level? However you could be one of the lucky ones who is immune. Could be gallstones feck knows?

My crystal ball is no better than yours.

Make the dam appointment man, 🤔🙄☎️📞

[Hidden]

If you & ur bloods are really bad no you won't get to ring the treatment room in 5 days for results as we call it.

GP on phone very next day or afternoon in my case. Get urself here now big boot up the ...e and off to Hospital for detox.

There to 23:30 back at 08:00 to 18:30.

[Sambenjoe]

Thanks again everyone. I don’t really do forums but overwhelmed by the number of replies. I am due an annual medical on Friday and will ask whether the bloods include a liver test