High Ggt

Hi all. I’m 56 and a smoker. Have been a big drinker for the past 5 years. I also have sciatica and developed a panadeine forte habit. Just had routine blood done FBC - got the results back and ggt has risen to 117 from 59 18 months ago. All other results normal except a slightly raised MVC. Trying not to freak out. Have been feeling unwell and the only time I seem to get energy or stomach settles is when I have a drink. GP wasn’t concerned, said I need to cut down my drinking. My sister passed of liver cancer at 54. She had Hep C from early 20’s. Now trying to wean off Panadeine Forte and alcohol and withdrawals are scary. I have a burning in my esophocous and dull pain in my left side. Any thoughtsRead less

[Hidden]

Hi and welcome,

Thank you for sharing your story here.

Could you consider re-visiting the GP and discuss your intake of Panadeine Forte and problems with alcohol so that you can possibly get some medical support to safely come off them?

It may also be a good idea to discuss having an imaging scan such as an ultrasound scan, to provide more information about your liver function.

Here are some useful publications for you to look at:

britishlivertrust.org.uk/in...

britishlivertrust.org.uk/in...

Keep us posted

Trust1

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

I got results over the phone. He wasn’t concerned, I was. I went to see him yesterday and mentioned the pf. I said I had been googling. Pathologist said increased ggt and MCV likely due to alcohol abuse. I’ve cut down drinking and PF by half the last few days. Had 2 days without PF and got dreadful headaches and sweats plus urinating every hour during the night. He wants me to go a week and a half alcohol free and get tested again. I’m not sure that enough time to see any change. I’m going alcohol free from tomorrow. My partner is a big drinker so that’s difficult as that’s what we do to relax. I have a sister I can stay with but she is a chronic alcoholic. How long should I abstain before getting retested?

[Laura009 in reply to Hidden]

Your doctor may have apppeared to not be concerned but if he has told you to reduce/ stop drinking then he is concerned. Maybe you should all consider giving up drinking by supporting each other. Every drink you have is making your liver struggle to function til eventually it will fail completely meaning you will at best need a liver transplant at worst kill you. Take a good hard look at your drinking habits and quit before its too late. Believe me death by alcohol is not at all pretty !

Laura

[Hidden in reply to Laura009]

Thank you for your reply. I’m going to give it away completely. I watched my sister die from liver cancer. I will listen to my body. It’s telling me enough is enough. There’s got to to be more than alcohol to enjoy.

[Laura009 in reply to Hidden]

Absolutely right. Good luck. Alcohol killed my husband 10 years ago he was just 54. You will have a far happier healthier life without it.

All the best

Laura

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

Thank you fir your reply

[Hidden]

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.

You may want to have a look at the NHS website pages on alcohol;

nhs.uk/live-well/alcohol-su...

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

That is a concern. I have tapered the last few nights but tired of feeling tired and unwell. Isengard roses how it feels to not have it in my system. I will check out the websites you have offered. Thank you

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

Please do seek out medical help and support to safely give up. Take care.

[CocoChannel]

From experience, even without an illness occurring, I reckon our bodies’ tolerance to alcohol lowers with age, and the aches and pains become the new normal (to copy the latest catchphrase 🙂).

You said you need alcohol to relax, and that has to be a sign of alcohol dependence. It might therefore be dificult/impossible to cut down, and I’m speaking from experience. Do you really get enjoyment still out of drinking? If you quit for good, a lot of those problems would go.

I’ll admit being around drinkers is another problem, but think about quitting yourself first 👍

[Hidden in reply to CocoChannel]

Going to quit today.

[CocoChannel in reply to Hidden]

👍 It seems the most unnatural thing ever to not drink, and it’s not a nice experience at first with cravings, agitation and lack of sleep. But after just a few days, sleep improves and the cravings start to ease after two weeks or so.

The killer, which got me every time, was to have a “reward” of a glass of wine as I’d had two or three weeks off the drink. Once it dawned on me I couldn’t do that ever again, things were a lot easier.

So huge well done, and good luck 🙂

[Hidden in reply to CocoChannel]

Thank you so much. Yes is is daunting but there is a part of me that is actually excited to feel alcohol free. I need to think of that as the reward not the beer at the end of a long day

[davianne]

Hi Underthepump,

Firstly, welcome to our friendly and supportive forum.

Strangely, I am suffering with sciatica at the moment, with muscles going into spasm, causing excruciating pain. I had a phone consult with my GP this morning, and he increased the dose of my codeine and paracetamol, but on a strictly temporarily basis, as they are so addictive if taken long term. You should try to reduce them, and try a TENS machine and heat pad, as I have done over the last 2 weeks. Try some exercises like...lift your leg so the knee is level with the hip, then rotate your leg to the side, and then lower to the floor, thus describing a circle with your knee. Then repeat with the other leg. I repeat this about ten times, and it does loosen your muscles, and hopefully reduce the pain. I hope this helps.

Did you know that alcohol is a depressant, and the buzz is only short lived, so you should get off the habit for your liver's sake. I stopped totally when I was diagnosed with F4 cirrhosis 4 years ago, but my liver was already damaged by then, but you have the chance to avoid long term damage by quitting now.

The daily issues people with cirrhosis have to suffer, are not to be ignored. If you are struggling with quitting, then see your GP, and they will offer you help with that. Best wishes,

David

[CocoChannel in reply to davianne]

I second the GP suggestion. Owning up and being accountable to someone as well as getting the right help fixed me, my drinking anyway.

It’s a tragic irony that drinkers need alcohol to unwind when it’s the dependence and craving for alcohol that causes that stress in the first place ☹️

[davianne in reply to CocoChannel]

Spot on Coco 👍👍👍

[Hidden in reply to davianne]

David thank you for your advice. I will practise those stretches you have suggested.

[Hidden]

Hi Underthepump,

It's late but I wanted to welcome you to this fabulous team of lovely caring people who have already given you sound advice which I shall not add on this occasion but do wish you every success on your path to a healthier and happy future life ahead.

Take care

Shropshirelass

[Hidden]

Thanks yoI do much 😊