Caught ‘Red Handed?’ 24 F, Scared

[Anonymous0796]

Hi all. I’ll begin this post by admitting that I have severe health anxiety, and have previously diagnosed myself with some horrifying maladies that ended up having no basis in truth, so I may just be overreacting. However, I’ve recently (over the last week) been experiencing some pressure/very dull pain in my right rib cage, towards my back. At around the same time that this pain appeared, I started to experience significantly increased urination. Perhaps some itching as well? I didn’t think much of it at first, but the other day, I noticed that my palms were quite red. I’ve also had a bit of a white coating on my tongue, though I don’t know if that’s related. Of course, I turned to Dr. Google, and ever since, I’ve been absolutely convinced that I have cirrhosis.

I am a 24 year old female, about 100 lbs. I’ve been drinking since I was 18. Up until about 6 months ago, I was an occasional binge drinker, only drinking about 4 times a month but drinking pretty darn excessively each time. Over the course of that period, I took a few several-month long breaks in which I didn’t drink at all. However, since COVID-19 began, I’ve been experiencing a lot of anxiety and have been consuming a very unhealthy level of alcohol, drinking about 1.5 bottles of wine at a time about 2-3 days a week (never consecutive), 3-4 bottles total over the course of the week. On a few occasions, it’s been closer to 2 bottles in a night. I never start drinking until I start cooking dinner at about 7:30 pm, and I typically don’t intend to get drunk, though many evenings have ended in unintentional blackouts. I have now quit drinking, but I am terrified of the damage I may have done over the last few months.

I got blood tests done for unrelated issues in January (before this madness began), and all of my liver tests showed numbers that were well within the normal range. Is it possible that I could have given myself cirrhosis in 6 months? I am not yellow or swollen at all, my bowel movements are normal, and my pee is very light yellow, almost clear (possibly TMI!). I don’t feel nauseous, sweaty, or overly fatigued, except from hangovers on days immediately after drinking. No tremors or wonky veins, though I do have some bruises on my shins, but I have always bruised easily. Can you have cirrhosis in the absence of those symptoms? I am also on Buspirone for anxiety, as well as hormonal birth control.

Seeking any wisdom or advice from those who have been through this. I am absolutely terrified and have spent the last few days in a state of complete panic. It’s awfully ironic that the same thing that led to my increased drinking (crippling anxiety) has led to my quitting!

[AyrshireK]

Welcome aboard, can I just point out it is against forum rules to post photographs.

In your case the photograph is perhaps in poor light but it does not illustrate red palms at all - no more so than anyone gets in warm weather. I am sitting here with my hubby who does have cirrhosis and his palms are really red and blotchy though it wouldn't be the first symptom a doctor would say is a sign of liver disease.

You will not have developed cirrhosis in 6 months or so and I do think this is potentially your health anxiety jumping to lots of conclusions. You were drinking way too much and it will no harm your liver to have stopped so that's a positive.

Increased urination, itching and pain in the kidney area which you have described sounds more likely to be a urinary tract or kidney infection and I would be taking myself off to the doctors to get these symptoms examined.

Katie

[Anonymous0796 in reply to AyrshireK]

Oh gosh! So sorry about the photo; I had no idea it was against forum rules. I’ve deleted it.

Thank you so much for your reply. I didn’t even think about a kidney infection or UTI. Because of my recent drinking habits, my mind went straight to my liver, and then right on to the worst case scenario.

I’ll be making an appointment to get that checked right away.

[Julie8]

You know what to do now to prevent liver cirrosis. Don’t drink, eat healthy. So maybe looking at British liver trust has done you a favour.

[Uplight99]

I am 21 years old, have been drinking heavy since 19 (so around 2 years) at probably 12-16 units a night up until the beginning of lockdown. I now only drink on weekends which equates to around 20 units a week but it is a HUGE step in the right direction considering I was almost drinking that in one night before. I am hoping to eventually kick the habit completely but I’m young and I think completely cutting alcohol out my life, although would be the right thing to do, is completely unrealistic.

I think me and you are in the same boat in which our health anxiety leads us to believe we have already done damage when in the grand scheme of things, we probably haven’t. It’s very rare (although possible) that people under the age of 30 get diagnosed with cirrhosis. My Dad has been drinking heavy everyday for the past 20 years and recently got his liver enzymes checked and they came back relatively normal. I think age is on our side but it’s important that we kick the habit whilst we still can because eventually it will take over our lives and we will be in the position where cirrhosis is a likely outcome.

I think you’re fine, you have drunk way less than me and I’m probably fine, however if you’re that worried get a GP to assess you.