Hello. I developed fatty liver 5 years ago but reduced my drinking that was high and changed my diet and after six months it went. But late last year I over done it while on holiday for a fortnight, got carried away, and continued for a while when I got back and the liver pains have returned. I thought to myself I've developed fatty liver again but the alarming part is the intense itchy skin I've never had before, especially at night. I'm worried that it is cirrhosis and reading various websites it seems to indicate that. I have a doctors appointment on Monday. Unfortunately not with my usual doctor, one I've never seen before so this going to be a right chore having to explain everything to a new one.
But I did have a rountine blood check up last week for diabetes that also included liver function and that came back normal. So a bit confused.
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xeno100
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I don’t think that would lead to cirrhosis right away. But I would really watch and monitor the drinking…. Also have a scan done to check liver health if you’re worried. Itchy skin can just be the weather, dry skin, etc
You should be OK. A struggling Liver does usually show in bloods. Just don't read too much of the horror stories online, it will drive you mad with fear.
hi, I guess no matter what anyone says, your going to worry right? We have all been there and believe me, if worry caused liver disease, we would all be on the transplant list now😁..it’s only human. Your bender on holiday would have caused inflammation, no doubt…especially if it was a heavy duty bender and you gave the old overworked organ no respite. BUT, you said yourself that you had fatty liver, cut down on all the harmful stuff that was causing the condition and all was ok. You are no doubt getting on a wee bit and the older we get the longer the effects of drinking bouts take to get over them. Be kind to yourself for a few weeks…good diet, no sugar, plenty of rest and a few strong coffees each day…AND leave the drink alone. IF you have itchiness after that, ask your doctor for an ultrasound if you truly want your mind to be at rest. Also, as posted, it could be skin fatigue…a good emollient with aloe vera can alleviate a lot of the itching, just shower on low tepid temperature before, no perfumed cleansers and don’t scrub your skin dry, treat it gently (very difficult, I know). The liver, as no doubt you are aware, is as resilient as they come. I butchered mine for thirty years and it’s still serving me as well as any cirrhotic liver can. I doubt, and I would be 99% sure, you have not got cirrhosis, but only you can stop the worrying, change the habits and when you do blow it out the water with benders, expect there to be a period when it’s going to take a period of tlc to get back to normal. All the best and try and enjoy a last fortnight of January dry👍
Whilst the liver is very good at repairing itself it can't take repeated batterings forever. Drinking to any degree with a fatty liver may lead to fibrosis and eventually cirrhosis and even if it had healed to a degree a fresh assault can lead to damage occuring more quickly. It might be that your recent heavy intake has caused some alcohol related liver inflammation (hepatitis) resulting in some of the symptoms you are experiencing. Taking alcohol on top of a fatty liver is like throwing petrol on a bonfire - best to try and avoid it altogether rather than reducing ............ there is no 'safe' intake level for alcohol when your liver obviously doesn't like it.
I don't know whether you have diabetes or whether your diabetic test was an investigatory test but diabetes is another risk factor for the development of liver damage too.
Hopefully your doctor will order some more tests to check out the current state of play.
just a really quick comment - I always think when I see posts like this… you’re worried enough to look these symptoms up and to find a forum kind of dedicated to liver disease, and mention predacious issues with alcohol. You clearly are concerned already about your alcohol intake, be it past or present… maybe it’s worth getting confirmation from a dr as to your current situation and thinking about whether taking even a small about of alcohol is worth the constant worry it causes?.. it’s a big thing to think about but as someone 21 months sober, it well worth not losing sleep everytime I feel unwell….
I used to worry greatly about itchy skin. I started to use Curel lotion, which I wouldn't have bought but found lying around the house. It has stopped the itching when more expensive brands didn't. I wonder if it is just winter dryness causing the itch. Best wishes!
I had a bad sleep last night with pains not just in my right side but my left as well which has been on and off. Could that be the spleen trying to compensate? Of course nobody knows until I have a thorough check but must admit I'm feeling very pessimistic. In fact my whole abdomen feels like someone has given it a pretty good going over.
I have been thinking of what to say to this new doctor 9 am tomorrow. Maybe I should write down the main symptoms/concerns and how long I've had them.
The doctor was very dismissive, got a bit curt at one point saying do you want to hear about your cholesterol or not! My cholesterol is 6.7 up from 6.2, but then it was 7.7 years ago before I changed my diet and has fluctuated between 6.0 and 6.5 for 10 years so no big deal. It is high on my paternal side. Had the statin hard sell but said no, though had to say it several times before he stopped pushing it.
Anyway. The pains in my sides are muscular apparently and the intense itching is from dry skin, although I have always had dry skin and never itching anywhere near this level. Asked for an ultrasound and refused flatly that it isn't necessary.
Let me know what you find out as I have been itching and hives etc. and now going in for an ultrasound to look at my liver as I have a high ALT count. How long did you stop drinking for your liver to heal and feel fine? ty
I actually spoke to my usual doctor on the phone a few days later for a second opinion and she agreed an ultrasound should be arranged, she also wanted a urine test which I'm doing Monday.
I take it you mean when I had fatty liver nearly five years ago. Well I had an ultrasound and it was fatty and then I had one six months later it had gone. So sometime during those six months, I think I was symptom free after about four months. However I didn't stop drinking, I just reduced it, down to a third in fact and kept to it. Also watched my diet and exercised more. But no doubt some will say you should give it up completely which I struggled with. Although if I find I have cirrhosis then it will have to completely stop of course. And if hopefully I haven't, then I will have to ensure I don't have these odd benders anymore.
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