I posted a few week’s ago that I was too scared and ashamed to contact my Doctor as I was fairly sure I had done damage to my Liver due to my drinking. I have now been sober for 6 months.
Thanks to the support on here I contacted my Doctor and she ordered blood tests-LFT, FBC and Kidney Function. These have all come back within the normal ranges.
I know from reading on here that this can happen with cirrhosis but the Doctor said only if the cirrhosis was asymptomatic. She has agreed to me having an ultrasound so waiting for that.
My immediate concern is that I think I may be experiencing a bout of HE. I feel a bit shaky and foggy, it’s worse in the morning and seems to improve as the day goes on.
Should I wait for the scan or contact my GP again?.
Many Thanks,
Sam
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Sammyjoe2
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I’m exactly the same, vision goes blurry too, by teatime I feel normal again. My 4 LFTs came back normal over 6 months, 2 normal US and Fibroscan score 6.2, awaiting results of colonography CT scan. Has doctor said it may be nerves?
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By the way, I haven’t touched a drop since Christmas Day and will never touch it again. I feel ashamed too and am horrified now at my nightly bottle of wine over 30 years. 😲🥱There must be thousands like us, it’s everywhere. Passed a new shop opened in near to village “Food and Wine”. You wouldn’t have seen that in the sixties and seventies.
She didn’t say it was nerves, I have made an appointment to see her on the 14th to chat through it all as she wants to see where I am re the drinking.
Oh god yes I wish I’d never taken that first sip but we can’t go back only try and move forward and be as positive as possible. I feel really stupid as I didn’t realise that I was drinking too much, now I can completely see that 3 bottles a week is far too much. Trouble is everyone around you is doing the same thing or worse.
That's scary that a doctor would say that about 2 to 3 bottles of wine because that would equate to either 18 units (2 bottles) or 27 units (3 bottles) when the guidance limit is only 14 units per week.
She said this to my friend. I agree Katie. Wish I’d only drunk that amount though, although it is too much I agree.
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2-3 bottles of wine is way over Department of Health guidance and is not to be advised.
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Too right. Wish I had known about this site years ago.
My G P admits she doesn’t know a lot about the liver, I paid £160.00 for private US and told consultant radiographer I wanted portal system checked, still don’t feel confident though, but hopefully, all will be revealed soon after Colonography last week.
Why are you still worried about your Liver?. I suppose the Doctor can only do the blood tests and move you on for further investigation. I hadn’t thought about going private.
It doesn’t make sense but my symptoms don’t either? Hope you get some answers soon. You’re sensible drink wise in comparison to me 😔 and my past boozing.
From all the tests you’ve had I think you can at least rule out a Liver problem. I get how frustrating it is when you can’t pin an illness down. I’m sure you will get there in the end. Yes hope so, I’ve put my head in the sand for far too long. I owe it to my son and my partner to try and sort this out.
You’d be very unlucky to have given yourself a big problem on the amount you drank but Doctor will advise you better than me. It can be hard to diagnose liver problems according to people on here.
Hi Sammyjoe. You have done brilliantly ... 6 months now well done. It is possible that some of your symptoms will persist for a while longer so don't let that get you down. Are you eating healthily and exercising ? That will certainly help you feel better and look after your liver.If you need more reassurance though, do speak to your GP about further tests which may well prove not to be liver related at all. Also mention you are concerned you may be suffering from HE. There are simple tests they can carry out and prescribe medication if necessary. However, from the experience of my husband's HE, I think it highly unlikely and you may just be lacking in sleep?
Thanks for replying, I must admit I did hope to be feeling better than I do after 6 months but I guess it took a long time to get into this mess so I suppose it will take a while to hopefully start to feel a bit better. Honestly thank god for this forum, I have been following all the advice from good people like yourself and eating healthily and walking. I will admit to being about 5 stone overweight when all this started but I have lost close to 2 stone. The irony is everyone keeps telling me I look so much better. I will wait until I see the doctor on the 14th , have a proper chat with her and take it from there.
Oh wow well done on the weight loss too. Do keep that up you truly will feel the benefit. Don't beat yourself up about the past it's gone and your future is already looking so much brighter.
Yep a good chat with your Doc will certainly help you too.
Well done for recognising a potential problem, giving up the alcohol and losing weight.
Sound's like your doctor is a good listener sending you for tests, which hopefully will put you at ease, and if it is different news. I am sure you have the strength to face and deal with it.
I too had HE symptoms, seen my GP who did a simple test to pacify me. I think I just panic and think the worse of everything different happening to me. So do tell your GP any concerns about yourself, it really does help, as it just plays on your mind.
Having confirmed cirrhosis, I gave up alcohol, lost weight, and now just love taking my sister's dog out for long 'my thinking time' walks, but I feel more positive in life to read such proactive post's such as yours.
Thanks Cazza, I’m trying to be positive but it is hard when you think you have a good idea of what you’re dealing with but it hasn’t been confirmed. I will deffo be doing everything I can to get well again, I have to for my son and partner and me as well.
It’s reassuring to read of so many brave people on here living with Liver Disease and being positive.
Aww I love dogs, my son is always nagging me to one.
It is a totally natural instint, of being anxious of the unknown. Nothing I or anyone, can say will take this away from you, but whatever the outcome, at least you have the gift to listen to any advise given.
Wait until they get cheaper again, but do consider getting your little lad a dog, he will treasure it, well at least until he gets bored with all the walks needed.
Take care.
Hi,after reading some comments I'm sure you are very positive ,!!, I had a similar problem when I stopped,although depression fueled my alcohol to a stupid limit,the doctors said not to just stop drinking suddenly, but I'm an all or nothing guy,I drank heavy through my divorce,not the cause though,I knew my life wouldn't be sorted untill it was dealt with,and I stopped drinking,well over two years,all sorted now,I was same in the mornings shaking,feeling of been trapped,couldn't make a decision,restless,think its just the body adjusting without alcohol, keep it up its well worth it,I feel now on top of the world,it was put to me as if my body was suffering long term hangover,all the best,truly mean that I've had some great support here.
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