Hi there
I am a 49year old mum and have always been a drinker. I have been drinking for about 25yrs, with a few breaks in between (pregnancy and was drinking less when the kids were small). But the five years or so before that I was a very heavy drinker (everyday, and a bottle of wine.... at least)! I have also had a steady increase in my drinking over maybe the last four years (not to the same level as before, but at least double the recommended units per week.... but not drinking every day).
I have been very active for the last 10 years, taking in regular exercise and keeping my weight in check. But last September I felt as though I pulled something in my arm during a workout. In time it got very much worse and by mid November I contacted my doctor for help. As covid is effecting things, the process has been slow and I have yet to be accessed by physio so its been down to pain management.
I was given a high dosage of Naproxen and co codemol mid December and to continue taking over the Christmas break. It was in this time that I began to feel 'not right'! I had already been suffering from muscle aches in my legs that I was dismissing as I thought it would pass. I also had one episode of swollen ankles. But then I started to feel something just isn't right. To the point where I stopped even enjoying drinking (I of course continued as that feeling would go after my 3rd drink). It's hard to explain what I was feeling, but I noticed I was feeling the effects of alcohol very quickly. I just felt like I wasn't handling it very well (I have no idea if this makes any sense)!
Just before new years eve I noticed my stools had changed and had become very dark (almost black, and tarry). I contacted the surgery and had blood tests (including gamma), and a stool sample sent off. Bloods were all ok, but stool result is slightly abnormal, so I am being sent for an endoscopy and colonoscopy (hopefully in a couple of weeks)!
My stools returned to normal relatively quickly, but I am suffering from a noticeable change in bowel habit (constipation), and I have a pain that radiates from right side over towards the middle of my stomach (wakes me at night)!
You will be pleased to hear that I have done what many heavy drinkers have done and googled every known symptom of liver disease and of course got myself in a mental state that I didn't even know I was capable of!!!! (always thought of myself as quite a chilled person)! I have looked intensely at my eyes (for yellow), finger nails (white), hands (red)...... the list goes on!!
But I guess the reason to post all this, is just to know if this pattern of events and how I am feeling in general is relatable in any way to what others have been through? And if there are signs in all this that there could be something wrong, that my gut instinct is actually right? And would the two tests be able to identify if I have a problem with my liver!?
Thanks if you made it too the end of this post 
P.S. just to add I haven't had a drink for 9 days (too scared)
Well Wile. Your pattern of events is quite typical of many posts.... drinking a bottle of wine a day, bit of pain going on, changes in bodily function, start googling in all the wrong places and convince yourself you are about to die. At least now you have frightened yourself into giving up drinking which is likely to be the cause of your problems, now you need to continue to stay off the booze and eat healthily meaning no fatty, sugary processed food and allow your liver to heal, which it will as your symptoms are indicative of fatty liver. I would suggest you speak to your doctor, be honest about your past drinking habits and he may arrange some tests in order to rule out anything else. Use this as your wake up call to the dangers of alcohol and stay off it for good before your bad habit becomes a real addiction problem and causes you severe and irreversible liver damage.
Well done for posting here and taking the 1st big step to recovery. All the best
Laura
Hi there
Thank you for taking the time to respond. I think your advice is spot on and I actually used the words 'wake up call' to my husband yesterday when I told him about the call from the doctor. (He is also a big drinker. Which is actually worse as we're enjoy it together, making it quite normal)!
It was actually my alcohol consumption that raised the alarm for my doctor. I was very honest with her when I was asked (at the time of the stool concern). When she called yesterday it was one of her first questions, how much had I had to drink since the first call just before new year.
And I also agree that I have googled myself dead and got myself in a state. I will take note of all your advice and get myself on a healthy path and hope that I haven't left anything too late.
Thanks again
Very well done to you. You and your husband could have a good serious conversation about this and change your lifestyles together which would make it much easier by encouraging each other and think of your children .... it is wholly unhealthy for them to see their parents continually drinking and can cause long term mental health problems for them. I wish you all the best and don't be affraid to post again if you need help or advice moving forward .... we are a pretty good knowledgeable bunch here all with different experiences of liver disease and the effects alcohol can have on this incredible vital organ ... look after it 👍🏋️♀️🚴♀️
I wholeheartedly agree about the children. I don't want them to go through anything because I chose to drink too much.
I saw my mother pass away a while back. She was an alcoholic but miraculously it wasn't the liver that got her. Anyway, when the time came she passed relatively peacefully. And I've never got over it. Watching her go. And it was another wake up for me. That if I, in my mature age, have struggled to deal with my dear mum passing peacefully, what would it do to my kids if I got really sick from this and they had to see that. I just can't bare the thought. And I think that is what has put me in a spin at Christmas when I haven't felt well. That I have left it too late. I couldn't forgive myself.
Thanks again. Its been really great to talk to someone about it all. Even just my fears in my head.
Yes l understand too only too well. My husband was an alcoholic and died 10 years ago at 54 and my children were 11 and 17 so l speak from experience. They were incredibly strong and brave throughout and learnt a huge lesson about alcohol and it's devastating effects. My son now 27, approx 6 years after his Fathers death completely went to pieces and sought the support of a bereavement counsellor. He had just 30 minutes with her where they both cried like babies but felt the weight of the world had finally been lifted. You are definately heading in the right direction.
Look after each other xx
I am so sorry to hear you have been through such a terrible time. But it's almost like you were meant to find my post as this is exactly what I fear the most. Just helps wake me up even more. Thank you for sharing your story with me. It will stay with me. And hopefully guide me in the right direction if I have struggles along the way.
I hope you and your children (although adults now) are doing ok. It's a very kind thing for you to be here and share your experience and knowledge in the hope of helping others
xx
💕