Diagnosing early cirrhosis / fibrosis / ALD

I apologise for the long post but I am finding myself in a really difficult position.

I am 32 years old and have drank heavily over the past ten years, mostly binge drinking during weekends and holidays (4-5 weeks per year). Other than this I have been generally fit and healthy. In the past six months I have developed this strong discomfort on the right side of my abdomen and ribs, never to the extent of pain, but always there. The same can occasionally be felt on my back. I have some veins next to my nose and hands, with red palms off and on. Fatigue and anxiety has grown significanlty over the past six months, as has my cardiovascular fitness. My stools are often more yellow-brown than dark brown. Never had jaundice, ascities, etc.

In early March, after quite a lot of drinking in December to February, I did my first blood test. ALT and GGT only for the liver but both in normal ranges. I had continued blood tests in May, June and July all of which we normal. It was a full blood test and the only low mark was urea very slightly under the normal. I drank a lot less during this period (May to July). In July, I also had a CT scan, ultrasound and upper colonoscepy done in hospital, which were all clear except for a small cyst on my liver which they thought was benign.

Logically, this all should point to a healthy liver, but the pain in my RUQ continues to remain and my levels of energy continue to drop. Doctors are saying the tests are good, so no need to refer me on to anything further. You cannot private pay where I live. Any thoughts or reflections on the above?

[AyrshireK]

Are you totally off the drink now? even though your liver has basically been given the all clear it would be wise to cease drinking going forward to avoid any potential issues.

You describe yourself as getting anxious about this issue? and no doubt you are stressing about it?

It is possible for a niggling ache and malaise to be the result of you stressing about it - health anxiety can actually cause physical symptoms.

It would be HIGHLY UNLIKELY that you have any actual liver problem when you have had the number and type of tests you've had and them returning an all clear.

There is also a possibility the little niggle is muscular.

Get off the booze completely, keep yourself fit and active and eat a good diet. The BLT has a page all about loving your liver and keeping yourself as healthy as possible. britishlivertrust.org.uk/in...

Katie

[Hidden in reply to AyrshireK]

I am completely off the drink now. Given the doctors constant telling me not to worry, I drank throughout half of August, but it's only made things feel worse (pain and anxiety).

I'm sure health anxiety has a role as well as this is what the doctors keep saying. I am very stressed about it to the point I can barely sleep unfortunately.

Except they keep prescribing things, including panadol, to help with the pain and anxiety. I have taken panadol yesterday and today but it makes the pain worse and (potentially) my stools even lighter in colour (its hard to tell). It's a mix of directions at the moment.

[AyrshireK in reply to Hidden]

It does sound like the majority of your issues are health anxiety related. Totally leave the drink alone and try to find another outlet for your energies, if you arnt' totally stressing about this you might actually find your symptoms disappear.

We find lots of people coming to the forum (normally those who know they have had an unhealthy relationship with alcohol) who find they start obsessing about potential liver damage but somehow can't accept it when all tests say their liver is ok (despite their high alcohol intake).

I don't know what test you could have that would reassure you this is 100% not liver related - Fibroscan (maybe) which would show whether you have no fibrosis or fatty liver.

The best thing to do is to leave alcohol behind (it's a depressant drug which fuels anxiety) and get yourself into a healthier mind set then concentrate on living your life. Taking pain killers is not the answer to this and can potentially lead to liver issues down the line.

Katie

[Hidden in reply to AyrshireK]

Thanks Katie. I just done a urine dipstick test which flagged some billirubin also, so I'm trying to figure this out.

[AyrshireK in reply to Hidden]

The full liver bloods you had will be far more accurate than any urine dipstick.

[BritishLiverTrust4]

Dear BSTU

Test results vary according to both the individual’s whole health and the laboratory analysing the results and should always be interpreted by the user’s own health care professionals.

We suggest talking this through with your own doctor or health care professional if you continue to feel concerned.

Best wishes

British Liver Trust

[Fibro2021]

The level of urea in the blood is reduced in many liver diseases. This is due to the inability of damaged liver cells to synthesize urea, which, in turn, leads to an increase in the concentration of ammonia in the blood and the development of hepatic encephalopathy. Perhaps you should to check your blood ammonia levels to rule out this cause of low urea.

[MINTVCX]

Your style of drinking so "mostly binge drinking during weekends and holidays (4-5 weeks per year)" was not the most harmful one (at least for your liver). It is highly unlikely to have cirrhosis (or even severe fibrosis) from this alone factor.

Of course alcoholic hepatitis might be your case which is not so dangerous. Just stop drinking.

[Hidden in reply to MINTVCX]

Just to clarify Friday and Saturday heavy binge drinking with then holidays on top. But I think this is what you meant still?

[MINTVCX in reply to Hidden]

Yes. I mean binge drinking is not the best idea for your health. It is harmful. But you asked about cirrhosis/fibrosis. Follow your doctors opinion.

[Hidden in reply to MINTVCX]

Thank you

[YvonneM60 in reply to MINTVCX]

hi, sorry to her how distressed you are about this . I wasnt well for about 10 year on & off . Vomiting pains , diarrhea ,

The paim was immense in my back on the right also i felt like i had a belt around my chest area.

Omerprozale was what they gave me . Was om it ten years !

Told me IBS , Food poisoning , gastroenteritis ..

Every scan going bloods etc

I had a really bad dp . Went to drs had blood tests ,showed my enzymes levels oit . Had ultra sound ( had loads ,) found that i had chronic pancreatitis ! At the stage of calsification therefore no interventions . I now have complications ! How was this missed ! I was similar yo yoursekf in pain and not right nevertheless it took ten year for this to show up . Ive been sondr 18 years & they are still saying through alcohol whicb i don't agree . Its the long term Omroprazole! Its shoulf not be teaken so long ! As soon as i was diagnosed , im that minute , He stopped the meds .

Please please keep off the drink

It isnt worth it . If you are as anxious as you sound Lesve it alone . It effects every part of your body !

y

[Nixxysarge1]

Hi! I’m 34 and this is just how I was 2 years ago before I completely quit drink. You’ve described it perfectly.

My drinking was a lot heavier than yours though, every day.

I also had numerous tests, scan etc. all came back within normal range but the niggle persisted. It wasn’t until I quit drinking completely that I realised what a hole I was in. The anxiety that drink caused was something else, even just binge drinking will cause an anxiety bout in some people. My point is as I quit drink the anxiety subsided as did the niggle. I am generally an anxious person and alcohol just amplified it.

My ‘niggle’ returned about 4 weeks ago as I grew anxious about eating too much and getting fatty liver, I snapped myself out of it reminded myself of how anxious I can get and the niggle magically disappeared.

On another note, there’s such an awesome life out there without alcohol, one I could never of imagined.

Hope this provides some comfort, I’d highly recommend a good long walk every day for a week you’ll feel so much better.

N

[Browsingquietly in reply to Nixxysarge1]

This is so true regarding anxiety and 'niggles'! I have anxiety disorder and it often manifests as health anxiety. You can get hyperfocused on discomfort in areas of the body, and find things to stress about. The anxiety itself causes a range of physical symptoms that can cause pain, discomfort, tightness etc. Once the anxiety has gone, its surprising how many niggles vanish with it! And yes, binge drinking certainly exacerbates it.

[YvonneM60 in reply to Nixxysarge1]

couldnt agree more . ! If i could bottle Sobriety you'd be hooked 18year!

[Cat-B]

hi deep breath, the good news is that your liver is coping well, the bad news is that if you continue to abuse it then it will eventually fail. I wouldn’t wish that on anyone. So take your symptoms as a big wake up call and start looking after your liver. I understand that any symptoms about you liver can be scary, try to focus on the good things ( your liver is still working, yippee, then concentrate on making it really happy! Eat a good well balanced diet ( no processed or junk) gentle regular walking and rest when your body tells you. get into a good sleeping habit and do Not use Dr Google lol. Now hopefully that little lot will keep your mind busy and you will gradually stop stressing yourself out. Good luck, I’m here if I can help

[Hidden]

Thank you for the comments. I have spoken to a specialist at the hospital here and he has said that with my bloods, ct scan and ultrasound, he is confident to definitively rule out any liver cirrhosis. So best thing for me now is dealing with anxiety and living healthy.

[vinylcollector]

Talk to your GP and/or Specialist Consultant.

[Redsphinx]

I will get a fibroscan if I’m you.