Bloods tomorrow I’m scared

[Ac16]

Tomorrow I’m having my bloods done, Gp is doing numerous ones, LFTs included. She’s not aware how much I was drinking....thinks it was more binge drinking....I thought it was but now realise it was more than that. I’ve not drank for nearly a month now ....my bloods in September were normal but I still think I’ve destroyed my liver....if they’re not normal obvs defo liver disease....if they are normal and lowered I’m guessing that’s good? If they’re normal but higher that’s bad surely and pointing to liver disease too seen as I haven’t drank for a month they should be lower? I realise I need a fibroscan to be sure...I’ve a follow up on Friday with the Gp but I’m absolutely dreading her ringing before then with bad news

[jazzjam]

Hi, I read your last post to understand what was going on. The chances of you all of a sudden having cirrhosis since your last clear, clean bloods are near on impossible. I do understand your worry, I have been there. This might sound blunt but it is how I think myself. “There is no point worrying now, what is done is done. Why worry about something that you don’t know about, thats not yet happened and may never happen, it is just pointless worrying, worrying will absolutely not change a thing, action will”.

My suggestion would be to show your doctor your last post where you explained everything. It is sometimes hard to put it into words when you are sat with your GP and you said you didn’t think she really understood how you were feeling. Your GP needs to know how you are feeling to be able to help you properly.

All the very best for your bloods, I am sure you will be fine but as the otgers said, keep off the alcohol, it makes anxiety so much worse, eat healthily, maybe ask the doctor to refer you to a nutritionist. I lost all muscle mass to the point where I couldn’t walk up one step due to no strength, I had a fabulous nutritionist who told me to eat very small meals 6 times a day. When I say small I mean, 2 fork fulls of chicken, a small piece of broccoli, 5 slices of carrot = 1 meal. She gave me a balanced food plan. Apologies for the very long post.

[YummyBear in reply to jazzjam]

I found you blog interesting, thank you. You replied to AC1 "The chances of you all of a sudden having cirrhosis since your last clear, clean bloods are near on impossible". No one has every explained how long it takes for a liver to become cirrhotic. In my case, a non-drinker, non-smoker, normal BMI, diagnosed with a fatty liver for 10 years at age 60; no management for Fatty Liver. I asked GP for a scan to check status of liver. Ultrasound in May 2017 showed Liver was Normal, as were bloods results..........then one year to the day (an unrelated issue warranted a CT scan). the result was a query on liver. Further tests revealed Cirrhosis! Shocked beyond belief. Fibroscan 14.8 kPa. How could that happen in one year, no one can say why.I am monitored 3 x times yearly, 2 x U/S and one Endoscopy (as per UK NICE Guidelines). All results over 6 years have said: 'No Change'. I am aware that Liver Cancer may be inevitable in time. I just wait to see what will happen living with this time bomb! This site is a welcome lifeline, as my family are unaware of my demise (out of choice).

[jazzjam in reply to YummyBear]

Yes unfortunately I have read that happen to people within a year. Usually they have found out they have NASH or something similar. Another one, a friend of mine was helping clear and clean a house that renters had left in an awful state. He ended up with an infection (they think through black mold, but not confirmed) which attacked his liver, he has also been diagnosed with cirrhosis. There seem to be so many things that we are not aware of or even realise that can damage the liver. We have been told over again that it is alcohol that damages the liver so we never think it can happen to a non drinker and unfortunately as a non drinker when you do tell someone you have cirrhosis they jump to the wrong conclusions. I am very sorry this has happened to you, it is an absolute shock.

[YummyBear in reply to jazzjam]

Thank you for your reply. Yes, total shock and it still sickens me when nothing was done for my fatty liver in 2005 (I was not overweight but had a sweet tooth), in fact my GP had never heard of it at the time. This site and the people on it are helpful with various accounts of their illnesses. I do find it incredible that liver disease patients with Cirrhosis, seem to recover well, after giving up alcholol, whereas people like me, with naturally occuring cirrhosis (NAFLD) after secondary Fatty Liver Disease, seem to be affected to a higher degree. I do agree that most of the Experts do not have answers as to why certain people develop Cirrhosis, apart from the Alchohol drinkers but sugars can affect this condition and in my case, sweets, chocolate, high carbs. I dont know though for sure. Thankfully, I have never had adverse symptoms and am checked 3 times annually, plus bloods. I've been told it's a 'sit and wait to see what happens' situation! A time bomb ticking away, so to speak!

[Sammyjoe2]

Hi Ac16

Honestly it’s best to go and find out good or bad. I sat on my worries and symptoms for months and it was the lovely people on this forum that made me see that I had to face it and get checked out.

Have to say my doctor wasn’t hugely interested in how much I drank but could see I was really upset and worried and wanted to support me-she wasn’t judgmental in anyway.

My investigations are still ongoing ( you do need the patience of a saint on this Liver journey) but I feel much calmer having taken control and am now hopefully on the way to a diagnosis.

Good Luck and try not to worry too much.

Sam

[Zukosmile07 in reply to Sammyjoe2]

Alright Sammy, that is some good advice.😃. Ac16 we all worry, it's a little bit like saying don't think about pink elephants. (First thing I do? pink 🐘's) What I am trying to say is, keep your mind active but with something else in mind. I had a new liver around 6 weeks ago and after 2 weeks I was told to increase my meds (adoport) to address rejection. There has been no change, so I have had a ultrasound and a CT scan and the results came back clear and was told to increase my meds again. Tomorrow I have (today) more blood tests and this time if they are still the same I have to have a biopsy. I am thinking about it but I know deep down that they are on the case and there is nothing I can do about it. I do know for bad or for worse that once I find out then I will deal with it. You cannot deal with speculation it just causes anxiety and anxiety would get the better of you than the actual disease. When you know, then you can fight, when you don't know what are you actually fighting apart from yourself...💯🙄🤔Good luck later. I'll be putting my findings on the forum.

They are just tests and if or whatever damage there may or may not be, you can deal with it then head on.

[Hidden]

You have already taken the very important step to stop drinking so WELL DONE. We hope that the tests go well and it may be a good idea to be as open as you feel you are able to be with the GP about your previous drinking patterns and concerns. You could also discuss further scans if needed for more info.

Keep us posted.

[Zukosmile07]

How did you get on Ac16?I hope the results are not taking too long.

I know I am lucky that my liver team jump straight on the issue.

You can request them by chasing them up or have an email sent to you as soon as they get the results.

All the best

Danny

[Ac16 in reply to Zukosmile07]

Hi Danny thanks for checking in on me. Glad to see your results came back good!! My Gp sent me a txt this morning to say my lfts and the other blood tests came back as normal so I feel relieved to some extent. I have a follow up with her on Friday aswell, I’m not really sure whether I should continue my worry As I know lfts are not definitive and ask for a scan or assume that as I’ve had 2 normal lfts that maybe my liver has coped ok despite my heavy drinking and just take it as a wake up call. Not really sure what to say at my appointment on Friday.

[Zukosmile07 in reply to Ac16]

Hello AC,. Try to be positive, a positive mindset works (sounds daft) it worked for me and ask others, it keeps you mentally strong. It's so easy to let these issues become on top. Everything is long winded and you do have to wait. 🤔You need to be getting questions together and write them down and take with you just to show the Dr how concerned you really are. There are some great questions from BLT I think at the bottom of their screen. Don't be frightened to ask for a scan just to check for any Inflammation or scarring. Question the answer if the Dr says "there is no need". Say "some people who have liver disease didn't know until they had their scans" (you can have my number to confirm that) and you are that worried it is massively effecting your health. "Please just for piece of mind I need the worry off my shoulders".

If the Dr still persists there is no need.... I would start to think FALSE ALARM and like what you said a wake up call, early enough to do something about it. (We all wish we had one of those,ask anyone on the forum) Stay off the drink and cut right down on fatty/salty/sugary foods get some exercise (walking) before you know it you will wonder what all the fuss was about.

I tell you one thing (I know I have had a transplant) getting out and about feeling healthier has given me a new lease of life, well infact a new life complete!

Wishing you all the best (don't let anxiety get the better of you) there is always someone to chat to if you are feeling the worry kicking in.

Danny x

[Sammyjoe2 in reply to Ac16]

Hi Ac16

That’s good news that the blood tests have all come back as normal, mine all came back within normal range as well but I was still worried, I said basically what Danny has advised “I’m still going to worry so can you refer me for a scan for peace of mind”. My doctor was happy to do this.

It all sounds positive so far, if you ever need a friendly ear get in touch.

Sam

[jazzjam in reply to Ac16]

That is wonderful news

[pushthrough]

Hello Ac16,

That's great news that you quit and your blood work came back normal. I agree that getting a scan would be a good choice. My bloods were fine until covid happened then I skipped a year and then bam everything was super high. My doc was just like obviously you have been drinking you might want to cut back a little. The following year I was diagnosed with cirrhosis. Had she told me my AST, ALT and Billirubin were 4 times higher than normal limit and if I kept it up I could severely damage my liver I would have at least cut back. Can't say I would have quit though. That took an accidental hospital stay to fully wake up.