Relapse and noticing some symptoms from last 10 days

[idyllic420]

I’m not seeking any medical advice as I’ve submitted my blood work this morning for clinical diagnosis. Just looking an opinion based on anyones experience. I was diagnosed with fatty liver in late 2019. I quit cigarettes and alcohol then for about 14-15 months. Couple of months back I started drinking heavy again on the weekends. From last 10 days I’m experiencing constant diarrhea and from last 5 days I’ve pain in my lower right abdomen. It’s accompanied by weakness and kinda shaky legs!

[idyllic420]

Tummy is getting bigger!

[idyllic420]

Fatty liver was not for unexplained reason, it was for my toxic relationship with alcohol. I was clean for many months but came back it harder than before! This time I started booze again because I thought a) my liver must have healed b)that I can control my liquor intake and say no after 1-2 drinks! but I don;t have grip on alcohol, its the alcohol that has grip on me! last time my ast, alt enzymes were both over 350. The test that I did yesterday is showing ALT 106 and AST of 69. I really feel ashamed for my actions and I'm certainly not trying to get sympathy of anyone here...just venting out...I know that that it can always be worse or better!

[10864]

Sorry, I wouldn’t usually get involved, I’m more a lurker than talker but I felt I had to as I feel some bad advise has been given out which an alcoholic could take as the green light to continue drinking, because “not an alcoholic, just a heavy drinker”?!Alcoholism doesn’t start when you start to vomit yellow bile, get Swollen legs or tummy’s and turn yellow. Those are massive red flags for your health. (I know, I had all these and more - think incontinence, being unable to brush your teeth due to throwing up before the school run, weight loss due to alcohol suppressing your appetite. I ended my drinking career in ICU with diagnosis f4 fibrosis, grossly enlarged liver meaning I couldn’t have anything touch my stomach, possible cirrhosis). I was terrified I was going to leave my children and I was a 41 year old manager with good career, marriage and home life. Functioning - ha!!

Alcoholism start waaay sooner than that - it starts when you HAVE to have that drink, rather than want it. I HAD to stay drinking vodka by around 6.30am to get rid of the shakes in order to do up my children school buttons on their shirts. I drank all day, every day, from a mug so no one knew - even on work zoom meetings. Alcoholism can start when you can’t feel calm and serene in the evening without a bottle of wine or two or more. When you make excuses while out with friends for daytime activities to have a pub lunch just so you can top up before you go home.

From my personal perspective (as someone who knows, ended up in ICU and came out on a course of Librium to detox) alcoholism starts BEFORE you get ANY physical symptoms as it is a disease of the mind. Like smoking - you aren’t just addicted to smoking when you get lung cancer, you were addicted the day you couldn’t go without a fag.

So basically in response, if you’re drinking from 1030 most days and continuing all day and it’s not a one off or a special occasion, you should definitely address this as a matter of urgency. It only gets worse. Im sure there are many paths to look down to help - I’ve been clean and sober for 14 months, currently on holiday in south of France with my family!! With the help of AA But im not here to advocate for them.

Simply wanted to say well done for understanding you may have a problem and I hope you find some help in addressing it and get results for your health concerns.

Oh, my latest scans and bloods show fibrosis f0-1, liver of a very normal drinker ❤️❤️

Take care

[idyllic420 in reply to 10864]

Thank you for talking sense into me. And thanks for your time. Wish you a happy vacation and good health! I agree with you completely! I have been in denial and it has costed me many things including my marriage and now maybe my health too. Everyone's body is different and it does not matter if you are addicted or abusing it..if the end result is ARLD then it is messed up! I know that many people here are dealing with more complicated problems but my intent was not to rub them off in a wrong way!

[Dogbot]

Hi as I have mentioned before lots of people have different ideas about alcoholism and I think 10864 has got very close to it, because I to believe it’s in your head and you have to control that first. I’m an alcoholic and haven’t touched alcohol for nearly 19 years, but I’m sure if I decided I had control of alcohol and had a good drink that would be it back on the road to hell , because that’s what it was for my family. You are the only one that has to convince yourself that you have a problem then there are people who can help. I really hope you convince yourself soon because you have a problem and only you can do something about it , good luck I wish you all the best 💕👍.Stay Safe All

Dogbot 🐶🌈Dave

[idyllic420 in reply to Dogbot]

Thanks Dave!

[MLB_77]

Wow this couldn’t be any more ass backwards and just a horrible dangerous message all together!

I hope people reading dont think as long as they aren’t yellow or yellow they aren’t “alcoholic “

[MLB_77 in reply to MLB_77]

Meant yellow or puffy .

[BritishLiverTrust5 Moderator British Liver Trust]

Dear idyllic420

I have attached below a link to the British Liver Trust website which you may find useful

britishlivertrust.org.uk/in...

You may also benefit from giving our liver nurse helpline a call. The number is: 0800 652 7330 and is open from 10am-3pm Monday to Friday (except bank holidays).

I hope this helps,

BritishLiverTrust5