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!