approaching early cirrohsis doctor said

[mozlaw]

my fibroscan reading was 13.4 i have decided to give up alcohol for a year if in 1 or 2 years my reading had gone down to normal levele could i return to very moderate drinking which forms part of my way of meeting friends

[AyrshireK]

Whilst the liver does have an amazing capacity for repairing itself it can't do this over and over and over again. If you are on the cusp of cirrhosis now and heal your liver to a degree with sobriety then a resumption of alcohol (if that is the cause of your issue ................ there may be other contributory factors at play) will potentially lead to a quicker liver health decline the 2nd time round.It's a life choice you obviously need to think seriously about, is there an alternative to drinking alcohol when meeting these friends? - surely it doesn't have to be alcohol you are holding in your hand/drinking. It's going to be a choice between booze and good liver health.

Katie

[mozlaw in reply to AyrshireK]

last time i decided to have a pint ..........of lemonade choosing a non alcoholic drink is quite difficult

[AyrshireK in reply to mozlaw]

My hubby has cirrhosis due to an auto immune illness - he's life long t-total so always manages to find something to drink if we are out. Me having to be the driver of the couple (as he isn't allowed to) I stick to soft drinks too. I sometimes have the no / low alcohol versions of some drinks too (and there is plenty of choice in that area).

There are also cordials and other things.

The no / low alcohol drinks are frowned upon by transplant teams if a person is being listed for t/p due to alcohol related liver disease as they can potentially be a trigger back to the 'real thing' or not demonstrate a commitment to alcohol free living but if you are unlikely to be in that position then they too are potentially an option.

It's your choice at the end of the day BUT cirrhosis is nasty and you want to avoid it at all costs for a long and healty life.

Katie

[mozlaw in reply to AyrshireK]

trouble is they are rubbish and expensive (non alcoholic beers) if i drink coffee i might as well stay at home!

[AyrshireK in reply to mozlaw]

I guess it depends what your priorities in life are. There are plenty options to drink whilst out that are alcohol free. You have the chance of staving off a potential serious health condition with all that comes with it or not (depending on your choices) - there are several forum members who have cirrhosis that wasn't preventable by anything they were in control of and would do ANYTHING to regain their health but it isn't in their powers to do so.

You're fortunate in having that choice at this point in time.

[Positive001 in reply to mozlaw]

Sorry but you really do have a problem with alcohol. It has taken over your life and can't see a life without it. Once you get it out of your life you will see a whole new fitter, healthier you who will be able to really start living. But that has to be your choice. No one will be able to convince you of that though it seems. Very sad for you. You are on a very slippery slope l'm affraid.

[mozlaw in reply to Positive001]

you are being over dramatic .for quite a few months i have been going to the pub about once every three weeks and drinking two pints at most now ive given up completely for at least a year i have healthy interests and my life has not been taken over completey by alcohol . my friends totally understand and dont give a toss whether i drink or not .they are supportive and encouraging just like when i gave up cigarettes

[Lola1977 in reply to mozlaw]

Giving up completely for a year is a big deal well done

[Kenzone62 in reply to mozlaw]

I tried 0% alcohol Gunness draft I couldn't tell the difrance cold heineken zero OK too

[Benwillfred in reply to Kenzone62]

Totally agree !! Also Thatchers Zero is brilliant.

[mozlaw in reply to Benwillfred]

not tempting at all to go back on the alcohol ive heard though that alcohol free wine is pretty disgusting

[Hidden in reply to mozlaw]

I got a bottle of alcohol free prosecco on my birthday and it was just fizzy grape juice - but at an extortionate price. I've tried the bitters and they weren't too bad. My best was lagers - I had a load in Felixstowe when we visited my son and they were all good.I explained my problem and everyone was fine with it - no-one tried to tempt me with a 'real' drink.

Apparently my liver disease wasn't caused by alcohol, but that said, it is a poison for the liver so I've decided to abstain - not something I could have done 20 years ago when I was in the grip of addiction and thought nothing of sinking 15 pints in a night.

Good luck, you'll find your way.

[mozlaw in reply to Kenzone62]

i have some in the fridge and it is good but the pubs that i use are traditional and dont have any zero alcohol beers so its lemonade soda and lime .im diabetic type 2 so i also have to be careful of carbs etc

[mozlaw in reply to AyrshireK]

thank you for some insights but im 73 and theres no question of a transplant .il carry on being tt

[Positive001 in reply to mozlaw]

I thought pubs were full of non alcoholic drinks for those who want a social life but don't wish to poison their liver, myself included, as alcohol killed my husband 🤷🏻‍♀️

[Millie09]

Hi mozlaw Welcome ! .. I was diagnosed with cirrhosis 14 yrs ago this week ..

Mine was alcohol related ,

I did have a few blips along the way of my sobriety journey due to factors , not easy at times but I have been totally abstent now for 6 years .

My fibroscan was 27 back in 2017.. now its 11.4 kpa ,

But as Katie mentioned in her reply , if as it was with me alcohol being the main cause of cirrhosis then unfortunately abstinence is needed .

I was abstinent from 2008 up to 2012 when I lost my dad , I cared for him for 16months during his cancer ..

Long story short I drank when he died as the pain and the loss was heartbreaking for me and I did not have any other answers to grief other than alcohol.

This in turn bought back my ascites, my liver function was bad again and I was hospitalised again.

Had two more drains and on leaving hospital I vowed never to put myself or my family through that selfish act again.

Wishing you all the best

Linda

[pushthrough in reply to Millie09]

That is such an amazing story! Glad to hear it because I had my second follow up and the specialist was very happy. Said the only thing additional I could do to help is lose a little more weight. This gives me hope for 20-25 years before a transplant. Thank you for sharing and I’m very sorry to hear about your dad!

[Millie09 in reply to pushthrough]

Thank you 😊..

[mozlaw in reply to Millie09]

thanks appreciated

[Aotea2012]

Keep away from alcohol if you are showing damage approaching cirrhosis. I’d stay away from it permanently, not just a brief period. I have cirrhosis....was very unwell but now well compensated and feeling great. I really don’t want to risk relapse and so I stick to soft drinks. I don’t go near the alcohol free stuff. Although accidentally did a few weeks ago at a neighbours. I’m better with black and white rules and alcohol free feels like straying into grey. So have developed a penchant for squash and milk. Not together, I hasten to add!

[LemonMeringue15]

There are so many sober positive groups on Instagram etc. If you find the right friends, you'll find that you enjoy nights out with them without drinking.

[Dogbot]

Hi mozlaw when I drank I thought all my mate’s drink so I was the of one out if I didn’t and couldn’t meet people and drink no alcohol drink’s , now my liver failed at 49 years old and I’m in and out of hospital sometimes in lots of pain and waiting a liver transplant. Sorry to be a downer but if your friends are only friends when you drink???. I’m only asking you to think about it good luck 👍.Stay Safe All

Dogbot 🐶🌈Dave

[ionutz79]

man,dont do this.Try to avoid,know is very difficult,but dont play with your health

[pushthrough]

Just want to say im 39 with cirrhosis from alcohol according to the specialist. I don’t deny drinking because I did. I just don’t feel I drank enough to cause liver damage. Yet here I am with the disease no one wants. I say this because depending on your genetics you could develop it easier from alcohol than others. There are plenty of my old friends who use to drink far more than me and so far they are fine. If I were you I would just quit all together and save yourself the mental and physical pain of having cirrhosis. I understand the social system and how most get together over beers. It’s ultimately your choice, drink (even a few) and likely develop cirrhosis. Or quit altogether and save yourself a lot of pain. You are at a stop 🛑 sign. You can turn left or keep going straight. Wishing you the best.

[Kettl]

In my opinion. The problem lies in the fact that moderation doesn’t seem to be possible if you have had a problem with alcohol. Inevitably even after 2 years off if you go back to drinking you will most likely find you will be drinking the same amounts as previously very quickly. This is a slippery slope that gets harder to get out of. Your brain is being hijacked by alcohol and it is bargaining with you. As I’ve said. This is my opinion. Get your hands on as much quit literature as you can. It’s your choice it’s your body.

[mozlaw in reply to Kettl]

its not about literature or other peoples ideas its about determination and will power allied with support of friends and family.i was never in a position where i had to drink every day.after i had a plan moderation became possible and now i am still going to the pub and meeting friends but not drinking alcohol.as ive said before the pubs i go to are traditonal and dont offer zero alcohol beer so i have dfficulty choosing which drinks to have .i will continue to be alcohol free for ta year and then see if my fibroscan reading has gone down if not i will continue abstinence

[Kettl]

Sorry, I didn’t read the previous replies until after I posted. Sounds like alcohol may not be the main contributing factor for you. As others have said make sure you follow up the reason they feel you have the fibrosis. If it’s weight or autoimmune you need to know. Sorry about the confusion regarding your post. Either was I wouldn’t drink but that’s just me.

[mozlaw]

thanks good idea

[Positive001]

Thankyou for the sermon and l hope you find the help you need for all your problems and symptoms. Good luck.

[mozlaw in reply to Positive001]

sermon haha

[Positive001 in reply to mozlaw]

Thankyou spellchecker 👍here's 1 for you ...

Cirrhosis

[mozlaw in reply to Positive001]

it comes from being an ex obsessive english lecturer and yes some pubs do sell o percent beers etc sorry

[Positive001 in reply to mozlaw]

🤣

[Positive001]

Actually what is meant by non alcoholic drinks in pubs is numerous fruit juices and even tea and coffee. Whether they sell "non alcoholic alternatives" ... cider, wines, beers etc l have no idea 🤷🏻‍♀️

[TT-2018]

I think that you will find that there is plenty of alcohol support out there. There are a variety of ways that you can tackle addiction problems, but you need to make the decision to seek help.

From my point of view, this forum is (was) a place that supports people who have liver disease.

I went through a transplant and I know that there is very little support available.