An update on fibroscan and some gentle advice to others who, like me became a victim of Dr Google!!

[Wile]

I wanted to post again to all those, that like me, had googled themselves dead! My story was that I have been drinking far too much over the years, and had begun to put any health issues into the 'liver' category! And it all became SO real in my head! My backache was my liver! My indigestion was my pancreas..... because of my liver! Was my bloated tummy ascites! And then the googling became obsessive. My eyes looked yellow! My palms looked red! My nails looked white! I MUST have a liver problem!

But through all that anguish, all those wasted hours of trawling through websites, I never addressed the issue..... the alcohol!!

When I had the problem with medication upsetting my stomach, I finally did address the issue. I stopped drinking in January and I am still going! Trust me, I know it isn't easy. I am an excellent drinker (In the worst possible way)! And I have loved it! If is wasn't for the fact that it can kill us, I would be happily be drinking that bottle of wine a night (as many of us would) But I can honestly say, removing the drink has removed all the anxiety!

So after an unclear ultrasound result back in February, I finally had a fibroscan and my results were very good (4.3kpa)! I am astounded to be honest!! And feeling incredibly lucky! (Because according to google I was screwed)!

But guess what (and here's the point).......... my eyes still look the same! My palms too!! And even my nails !! Those things that I had convinced myself were 'signs'! all those hours scrutinising them in the mirror, taking photos to look back at, they haven't changed. And the reality is, they weren't really bad to begin with. It was my anxiety that had convinced myself to see it for worse than it was! Because we cant feel what's going on inside, we convince ourselves that there are signs outside!

So, take it from me, if you are concerned that your drinking is impacting your health in a serious way, don't google.... It does nothing but feed your anxiety and make you miserable. And if you can, take some steps to remove the drink for a bit. (but as I have said, appreciate it is much easier said than done)!

Just also wanted to say how being here has helped me and thanks to everyone who has offered me advice! It has driven me to keep going as I know I am lucky to have had a wake up call in time! xx

[Spoons20]

I love this post! I could of wrote it myself minus the part about the fibroscan as I haven’t had one yet but the exact same symptoms, the worry, the anxiety I have linked all to my liver, 4mths alcohol free and do still have some symptoms but nothing like I did have and am feeling mentally stronger without the drink!

So pleased for you and thanks for sharing 😊

[Wile in reply to Spoons20]

Well done to you too on 4 months! Its crazy isn't it. The difference it makes to the mind, taking away the worry of drinking! I even feel like I have so much more time to think about other things 😍 who knew!!!

[Hidden]

Firstly , well done in taking control of your health and life, I’m sure it came with struggles .

Secondly , well done on this post , it is so refreshing to hear someone say how it affected their anxiety and how you over came it .

I do hope that some members read this and can relate to it and maybe put their minds at ease if they accept how similar your journey and theirs are.

Well done again and thank you for your honesty .

[Wile in reply to Hidden]

Thank you. I really hope it helps too

[Hidden]

Brillant post, great to read this. Well done for realising only you yourself can fix it. I so hope others on this forum read it and learn. All the best

Laura x

[Wile in reply to Hidden]

Thanks Laura x

[Leo1845]

Wile great news to hear! I could have literally written your post myself except I’m too scared to go to the doctors! Instead I am doing my best to stay off the booze and hope mr anxiety etc all improves!! I have googled for years my symptoms and just assumed they were all alcohol / liver based swollen tummy etc and checking my eyes in the morning!

I like you have loved drinking and always known I’ve been pushing my luck with it and now I’m just too petrified to drink and it’s prob going to help keep me on the sober path! It’s not easy tho admitting you have a problem and something that’s always been your crutch for 20 years suddenly being removed!

I like you have had normal blood tests over the years but because of the presence of multiple spider naevi I’m convinced I’ve done some damage . Wish I’d never googled spider naevi marks when I was just 20 years old! I’m 37 now and it’s been a shadow over myself ever since!!

Thanks so much for your reassurance post and I wish you all the best on your sober journey XX

[CarpeDiem11]

Woohoo!!! This is an excellent post and I wish there were more people like you willing to admit the realities of anxiety and linking everything to the liver, that they thought were symptoms, when really it was the anxiety. Dr Google has a lot to answer for!!

Many people don't want to admit where their drinking and associated anxiety led them, but you have been honest enough and up front enough to admit the truth of it all and this can't have been easy (or maybe it was & I'm underestimating you?)- although you sound remarkably upbeat. You have obviously got a real zest for life and long may it continue.

It takes a very thoughtful person to go to the trouble of coming back to offer encouragement and inspiration to others who might feel they are in the same position. It would have been so easy to just improve and not say anything. I for one, feel encouraged by your post and I don't have liver disease from alcohol (but autoimmune).

I genuinely hope that life continues to get better for you and your liver remains in "good nick". The alternatives can be less than pretty, shall we say. All the very best with your health in the future.

[Wile in reply to CarpeDiem11]

Thank you so much for such a lovely response.

I felt it was really important to post about it as it really did take me places I didn't think possible. I didn't think I was ever that kind of person and had convinced myself I was seriously poorly. It was as much of a shock to realise it was the anxiety that had me convinced I was ill, as it was to get the great result from the fibroscan!

I just hope it helps. Even if it's just one person. xx

[CarpeDiem11 in reply to Wile]

I'm sure your post has helped many more people than you realise & for so many different reasons. Anxiety goes with the territory of any serious illness I think, from my own experience. I admire your ability to deal with it in such a positive & healthy way. I hope that you continue to get good news & wish you all the very best😊

[harpheeze]

I think I have a related problem. I knew I was drinking excessively, and like most of my friends, I was having hangover more than before. One day I read about someone dying from ascites due to liver problem. I decided to stop drinking, and the Corona lock down gave me the opportunity.After 2weeks without drinking, I began to feel unwell. I googled about everything: causes of getting hangovers more than before, symptoms of liver problem, ascites, e.t.c. Everything was about me. The symptoms seems to be getting worse. I was overwhelmed with anxiety, I lost my appetite for food, can't sleep, vomiting, diarrhea, lost weight. All these convinced me that I have chirrhosis. I became depressed, thinking about what my family are about to go through, how my influence and contribution will be greatly missed, I know I've been reckless and that I have let them down.

I can't stay off Google and checking signs from my body, nails, skin and eyes.

I later saw something about health anxiety or so. I decided to free myself from worries... I've been slightly better now, but I think I might have fatty liver, and the malnutrition when I couldn't eat, plus the lack of exercise and sleep when I was depressed may have caused permanent scaring. I am trying to get over the fear, even if the damage is already done; maybe I can only live till I die. Though, I don't have the opportunity to do scan or test.

Others that may be thinking without confirmation should please don't allow Google to wreck them, as the worries/anxiety will only worsen things.

[Hidden in reply to harpheeze]

Hi Harpheeze. I would just say it may be worth speaking to you doc if only to put your mind at rest. Obviously giving up drinking is a massive step forward and will help your liver recover. The symptoms you experienced after giving up may have been withdrawral symptoms. I hope you are feeling better now. If not, have chat with your doc. Be honest about your previous drinking so he can tell if your symptoms are related to giving up and may be able to offer you some meds to help. Dont get worried or anxious you are definately doing all the right things but don't suffer alone.

Good luck to you.

Laura

[harpheeze in reply to Hidden]

Thanks very much. I will see a doctor.