Only 28 terrified I have cirrhosis

[Dina1992]

Never been so miserable and more terrified in my life, I didn’t realise how dangerous alcohol is and was ignorant, I drank a couple of beers everyday for a year, then whiskey, but it was drinking for a year, then I stated getting itching from with in, I was terrified so stopped drinking immediately, with the itching, I lost my appetite 5 months ago then 2 months ago started suffering awful agonising pains on my right side where my liver is, and now I suffer with insomnia, I don’t drink anymore but I’m terrified I have cirrhosis, I’m so depressed and terrified, I wish I never touched that poison in the first place, I’m female, I will be going to my GP to see what stage my liver is at but with all these symptoms I’m terrified please share your experiences and tell me if u suffered with same symptoms and what your results were, I’m so miserable and I hate alcohol so much I wish I never touched that poison, I will never ever touch it again that’s for sure

[Laura009]

Hi Dina. You have made an excellent decision to quit drinking now while you are still so young. Any pain you have is likely to go over the next few weeks or so as your liver recovers from any minimal damage it may have caused. Alcohol causes anxiety and depression so your mood is highly likely to lift as well once all the toxins leave your body. It is important to have a healthy balanced diet and get plenty of regular excercise. As well as being great for your physical health it will also help your mental state. So be positive .... you've given up the poison now focus on your overall well being. If your pain persists, contact your doctor, it may be a totally unrelated issue. There are many people in your age group on here with the same concerns. So well done for realising how rubbish drinking is and already taking the 1st big step in looking after yourself. Do keep it up

Laura x

[Dina1992 in reply to Laura009]

Hi thanks for all your replies, I’m just so terrified but I’m glad that I have ppl on this site who are going through the same thing and we can talk about it and support each other

[Hidden]

I cant say much more than what the wonderful Laura has commented, I have Cirrhosis at 32 and it was very scary getting diagnosed with that, but you have done the right thing in giving up the drink, say it many a time, nothing good ever comes from the bottom of a can. Good luck Dina and hope you get the answers you need soon. 👍Ashley

[Laura009 in reply to Hidden]

Aw thanks Ash 🤗

[gnillo]

Hi Dina1992, I just joined yesterday and am amazed by how encouraging people on these forums are. Congrats on the no drinking and hopefully you can keep it up. I posted something on different forum last night in relation to liver issues so maybe this will help. Mind you, everyone's liver is different so doctors are your best bet, but more so a liver specialist. " After reading a lot of your posts I was having similar symptoms you laid out and was in constant anxiety mode, more so after looking on Dr. Google. I have been a heavy drinker for the past 10 years or so and even more so since the pandemic. About 4 months ago I started noticing fatigue, sudden unexplained weight loss (July 2020 - 189 lbs, December 2020 - 174 lbs), insomnia, itchy skin (more so at night), significant change in bowels.... My brother was diagnosed with stage 4 cirrhosis of the liver in July 2019 due to years of heavy alcohol use and hepatitis C. After not feeling well back in September 2020 I went to the ER with a urinary tract infection. After getting blood work done my AST/ALT’s were elevated 4x in the 150-200 U/L range included other elevated results. My total bilirubin was 1.9 mg/dl. I also completed an ultrasound which showed fatty liver and was encouraged to abstain from alcohol given my levels and alcohol history in my family. Unfortunately I didn’t abstain from drinking and ended up in the ER November 27, 2020 after noticing jaundice in the eyes and skin. My total bilirubin was 5.8 and AST/ALT were in the 350-400 range showing damage to the liver. I was referred to a liver specialist who did further testing and again found fatty liver due to alcohol use. They ran blood work again every week after and my levels began to decrease (more so after quitting drinking alcohol entirely). However my unconjugated/indirect bilirubin was 1.9 which is elevated and I still had jaundice. After doing my own research I came across Gilbert’s Syndrome and read forums for hours on top of every other liver disease forum. I asked the liver specialist to complete a genetic test for Gilbert’s Syndrome and the test came back positive. They say it is a benign condition but I was feeling terrible the past 4 months and had nearly all of the symptoms you mentioned. Now I’m not a medical professional but I was glad the doctor was able to pin point some of the symptoms and rule out cirrhosis despite years of heavy drinking. I apologize for the long response but I couldn’t help but decided to after reading your posts. " Hope this helps. I have bloodwork scheduled in 3 weeks and was pleased with how drastic my liver enzymes have dropped being 35 days alcohol free.

[Dina1992 in reply to gnillo]

Thank u for taking the time to reply to me I’m just so terrified

[gnillo in reply to Dina1992]

I completely understand where you’re coming from. Fortunately my bloodwork results take a few minutes so I’m able to go over them with the doctor then and there. It can definitely be stressful so I encourage u to sleep as best you can, eat a healthy diet and possibly find a support group around you. Best of luck and I hope you get positive answers soon.

[cammeag]

Every time we have a twinge we think,’Is it cancer?’ If we flatulate too much😂 we think it’s bowel cancerThe internet always gives the worst case scenario. No wonder at the slightest twinge we think it is terminal. You’re not alone, most of us have gone through dark lonely very frightening nights...I honestly think it is the minds job to frighten the pants off of us and leave us complete nervous wrecks and incapable of the slightest tasks.

You are young, you have abused your body but it is young and strong and it will heal. Do not waste time worrying about what may be when the chances of it are practically zero. Life is fantastic, I know no amount of alcohol makes it better. Learn to love those around you, but especially take time every day to stop, pause and have gratitude for being an infinitesimal part of it....difficult when young.

You have had a fright, learn from it, grow from it, and if you are worried or frightened come back on here every single day if you want to and there will be someone to give you some reassurance and love.

Take care

[Roots57 in reply to cammeag]

That is such a lovely positive message. Regret is a wasted emotion x

[Dogbot]

Well I would like to add to what Laura and Ash have said but the experience that they have past on to you is excellent and I can’t add any more well done Laura and Ash , good luck at the doctors Dina1992 I wish you all the best from the wife and I 👍🤞👏.

Stay Safe All

Dogbot 🐶🌈

[Laura009 in reply to Dogbot]

Thanks 🐕 xx

[Hidden]

Hi and welcome Dina,

Well done for taking some really great steps to stop drinking and for planning to see your GP.

Our lovely members will be supportive to you, hopefully your GP can offer some specific guidance and help too.

Stay away from google, it will only make you more anxious.

Take care.

[Yarkis]

Might be gallbladder related. Gallstones aren't uncommon for women your age, I know two that are 30 that had to have their gallbladder removed completely. Serious but not so much as cirrhosis. I feel your pain tho. I'm 30 and recently went through the same scare. Awfully young for cirrhosis. This is coming from a guy who drank a SHIT ton for nearly 6 years straight. I'm talking alcohol poisoning nearly daily. Blood work looks great. Normal liver enzymes and biliburin levels. Had an untrasound appt today but I missed it because my dog unplugged my alarm ><. Anyway best of luck, don't lose hope. Also alcohol withdrawal ain't no joke. You'll be anxious AF for at least half a week. It's debilitating.

[Delboytrotter]

I have bee waiting for 19 months and still waiting on transplant i belong to a support group which has helped so if there is any support groups run by the hospital you attend i would suggest you do so don't get me wrong I still suffer high anxiety levels but the people that I have made friends with help me through even it's just with zoom at present times i got to go for a mir scan on the 7th and clinic on the 19th so take care