Hello, last year I was diagnosed with serious liver disease, I was drinking myself unconscious every day for 26 years, I'm currently 42 year's old, last August I was admitted to hospital with my liver condition, yellow skin, swollen legs, fluid retention, drained and was discharged a week or so later. I spent that 26 years homeless living on the streets, I was told if I ever drank alcohol again, that would be it!!! I have never had a drink since nor have I wanted too! I'm from Scotland and since that hospital stay, I've never had yellow skin or swelling of pains and the rest! My doctor's and nurses have been amazing including my closest friends who are my family, they truly support me no matter!!!!!
Although because I didn't have the right information when I was released from hospital last year, I kept on eating rubbish, which led me back into hospital again, because of pain in my abdomen all over I was in for a week. MRI scan, ultra sound scan fibrosis scan and I'm waiting for a CT scan but was discharged from hospital again, with no other sign's I had before, now I'm armed with the right diet information I'm not homeless and I'm not drinking, thanks for letting me come here.
Do any of you amazing people have any ongoing advice for me at this stage?? I'm open to any further questions or advice. I think I've covered most of the information, to lead to my question.
Thank you
Taz.
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Tazzyguy1
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well done on the abstinence Taz , all I’ll say is exercise , healthy eating and plenty of water and coffee . I’m sure somebody will give you better and more detailed advice , good luck
Thank you Very much, I really appreciate it. Yes I'm really mind set now on this new diet now I have the information and facts in front of me, I drink loads of water and about 3 cup's of coffee a day, Apple Juice, my diet consists of mostly vegetables and fruits, little chicken and fish, branflakes almond milk and soya milk, wholemeal bread and a few other bits, learning to retrain my pallet I think!! But I really appreciate your reply to me, I was never so scared in all my life truly, but right there and then I made the decision to quit alcohol for good, especially after what the consultant said to me!!!!!!!! CT scan next month no sure what that will unveil? But think I'm more hopeful now because I found this site. Opened my eyes and heart big time!! Thanks againTaz
Hi bud,, thank you for replying to me, initially when I was admitted to hospital last year I was on 3-4 fortisip drinks every day, while I was in hospital, but not afterwards, when I was drinking I never ate food ever, so unbeknown to me, my body was in theory eating itself, I was quite a weight initially, but as a result of drinking and not eating then my liver almost completely giving up I did too go very thin,, the weight just fell from me! Although just before hospital I never noticed it myself. It was only while in hospital they said I was very underweight for my height and age,, so they pumped me full of those drinks, as I could barely ever eat or even stand the smell of food. Thankfully now, I'm eating almost regularly without those fortisip drinks. Hope that helps buddy. And again thank you for your kind replyTaz
Hi Taz. welcome to this amazing group full of great people, so chuffed for you that your alot better and got yourself of the streets too, i find the diet difficult from time to time, i was diagnosed with liver cirrhosis last October after a very similar drinking pattern due to mental health problems which ive suffered with since the age of 14, i do not get swollen stomach or leg anymore, i get very tired very quickly. i try my best to try to do more each day but not one day is the same, i will like do my very best to beat this illness, My mental health has suffered greatly due to worry both financially and obviously the illness, ive tried to get something called pip but to no avail as yet(fingers crossed) , Truly hope if you ever need a chat or just someone to talk to you can contact me on here on the forum or privately, All the best buddy cheers audi king,
you must be so proud of your achievements. I was a drug and alcohol counsellor for many years and saw some very sad sick people. There were a lot of successful people who with the right help have gone on to lead lovely lives. Make sure you get whatever help you need financial etc. most important of all is someone to off load on. I made many friends of recovering alcoholics, heard full life stories some very bad but they fought their way through it. It was humbling and very rewarding to work with these fantastic people. Not everyone is judgemental. Good luck with the future you now have through your hard work and determination. Keep a sense of humour and laugh every day even if it’s laughing at yourself. Remember your a fighter and will always make it.
Thank you so much for your powerful caring reply. More power to it,, yes I'm very lucky today, I say today because I live one day at a time like most other people do too. I'm also very blessed with my support network built up over 40 years, a mixture of friends. Who have never turned away,, and your right so right. Society thinks alcoholics bad,, not the case!!! Of course we know that its human beings that are seriously unwell, but where there is defeat there is hope. Hope for everyone. I never thought in a million years I'd ever stop drinking booze. But when really faced with the truth!!! I will die just one more drink no IFS no buts, no nothing! Told straight, that was my all time rock bottom, so yes totally agree with you,, sense of humour is the major ingredient!!! Thank you so much. Have a great dayTaz
Glad to hear you are doing ok. I personally take milk thistle every day as well as whatever vitamins I can find or afford, but your diet sounds good, lots of veg and keep off sugar.
Hi Tazzyguy1 first thing well done for coming off the booze buy yourself Amazing, next thing as you know a good diet,great. When I did it I found that there was to many hours in the day 🤣, cos all my other hours I was propping up a bar. Find yourself something to do a sport , a hobby or volunteer for something to do some good and use up the hours. Good luck it a hard slow road your going down but I’m here to tell you it’s so worth it, but don’t forget there will be bumps in the road you are travelling where you will need a good friend or family and if you trip which is possible try to remember and get back up on the road. I really wish you the best of success 👏😀.
Thank you so much Dogbot,, truly appreciate it. You sound great, sound and solid advice. I'll definitely keep in touch. Again I really appreciate your input. Hope your okay? Taz
With liver disease the body doesn’t absorb vitamins and nutrients from foods as well. It also works a bit like a dis functional central heating boiler and takes up a lot of energy. It’s important you stick to the diet they’ve given you. Make sure you get a carb rich snack before you go to bed. A damaged liver doesn’t store glycogen which means during fasting over night the liver eats up everything it can get….your muscles particularly, so a high energy snack helps your body cope with the energy requirements. Well done on being abstinent…as someone who’s got cirrhosis and have struggled with alcohol I know how tough it can be…so congratulations and welcome to this site.
Amazing more power to you!!! Sound advice, love it,, yes I totally chucked most of my other foods in the foodbank bin, and started a new,, new everything! Lol, but worth it,, my tummy before hospital was massive,, considering I'm fairly slim,, I remember looking down at my tummy in the morning and I just knew something was way off! Straight to hospital I went!!!!! You know,, I don't think we can afford to take any chances ever,, because things for us, can go for bad to worse very fast.But not today! 😊
Well done Tazzy, you are absolutely amazing to find sobriety after 26 years. I had to change my life completely when I stopped, now I'm a subscriber to Gardeners World and love seeing plants grow and change every day. If you ever think your having a wobbly moment please feel free to message me. Good luck and well done !
Brilliant Emma,, thank you so much too,, I'm overwhelmed in a very good way that I'm no longer feeling alone,, I was in quite a dark place. I'm off to walk down by the River Tay today! Beautiful place. Peaceful,, stop and smell the flowers, I really appreciate your great feedback.Happy days today
I'm no expert, most of what I've learned, I've learned here. The only thing I can suggest is MORE PROTEIN. You say you have a little chicken and fish, you probably need more, and red meat also...though beans, lentils etc are good too. I- and I am sure others were told to have 100gm + of protein a day, spread over the day. Have you seen a dietician specialising in liver issues? See if you can get that arranged also. Good luck and well done for what you have achieved so far. Brilliant!
Hello, thank you for your reply to me, I've not seen the dietitian yet I'm trying to chase that up this week and last,, I think it's mega important of course my life and wellbeing depends on it, I'm very early into this I guess,, so I'm kinda learning as I go,, but just written down your details on meal,, brilliant, again sound advice. Definitely needed from people like yourself who are living it,, Thank you
Congratulations on all the hard work you’re putting in to turn your health around. Taz keep up the healthy food, exercise and plenty of water, you are doing a great job 👍 and the support from your friends will help you so much. God’s Blessings to you,
I think that it's you who should be giving the advice! You are amazing! Massive congratulations to you. I've seen privileged people in hospital with alcohol addictions who, on paper, had so much to live for that lacked even one percent of your positive determination.
They should be inspired by your story.
My only advice is write a book ! Maybe not self help but your life story! You have your first customer!
That really touched my heart,, thank you so much. I can't begin to tell you, how kind of you that is to read, I'm not being anyone special by no means, but I had the biggest scare of my life on earth, some people on the outside looking at my life would have thought he just doesn't care does he!!!! Truth is! I cared so much for others I forgot about myself. I rarely tell anyone that,, I would often feel another person's pain or hurt or Indeed joy, but the feeling would be so overwhelming I used booze to dampen it down, so ultimately I didn't feel anything most of my life of course until last year, I got too unwell so fast, I just never thought anything was wrong with me, it was everyone else lol, but when my friend so called friend said I was a very weird colour, then I looked in the public toilet mirror, I knew exactly what it was!!!! And what was wrong!! Within 30 mins my legs and ankles had swollen up like balloons, I thought my skin would burst,, I had little pain at the point. And all the other street drinkers was saying just have another drink,, you'll be fine!!! I'm glad I walked away, putting myself first firstly, taxi time straight to the hospital. As you know I've said the rest,, but that fear of alcohol is still mega strong, real and alive, I know it will never leave me now, I just am like everyone else here,, hoping for another day, of less discomfort, less pain, less fear, less worrying. I'm very lucky to have such loving friends. Most of my family have now since passed away, and I'll not let you guess what of!!!!! Yes you got it!!!!!!! I'm always here to chat or advice I can give, your welcome anytime. And most of all thank you for just really being you and kind,, this site has and is giving me hope courage and strength.Taz
That's some journey that you have been on. If ever there was a story about picking yourself up from one of the darkest places, it is yours.
The fact that those around you only saw the solution through more alcohol shines that much more brightly on the determination of your soul and strength of character.
Your story isn't only helpful for those with a drink problem, but also resoundingly powerful for those in a supporting roll that are so desperate with sadness and frustration that their own loved one won't dig deep enough to find the courage that you discovered in yourself.
These are the unsung warriors who need support. The ones that fight without condition.
You will continue to inspire, of that I am certain.
Good morning 😊,, thank you again. Your too kind, I believe that we are all warriors, at heart,, when we stand at the principal point of no coming back!!!! Point of sheer insanity especially in my own case! I had a choice at that point, it became simple!!! Do I want to live or not! Because right in that hospital bed at that moment! That one question was my only choice! Thankfully I'm here, so I made the right choice. I'm only too aware that, this isn't everyone's story and I respect that 100 percent, I'm just another good person here looking forward to hope friends, advice and guidance. I find living in the moment, daily really. Helps a lot. As I said before here there are some days I wake up and I don't want to go out or see anyone. Ups and downs highs and lows life, but right here right now! I'm in a stronger place than I ever was before. This site has filled my heart full of hope. I'm not saying every day is great, far from it but its better than what it was ever like previously. I have to accept certainly ways of life now, ie diet, meds, exercise, medical treatment, and many others things too. Fact I can't do what I like now. But I'm more free than I ever was!!!! Life for me isn't about booze now, it's about learning to live life on life's terms with an illness that's not going anyplace soon. You give me hope too friend. Thank you.
Hello lovely, welcome to the group.I'm the same age as you and pretty much drank every day from my mid 20's. No reason, just because I could.
December 2021 my body crashed, yellow, swollen, agony, you know the drill. I've not touched alcohol since and have not desire to. I think it was enough of a wake up call personally. I am now on the transplant list although so far my bloods are doing really well so everything crossed I'll continue that way.
My main advice to you would be keep doing what you are doing, exercise as much as you are able to (yoga has been a lifesaver for me, but a lot recommend walking). Diet, sounds like you're all over that but worth asking about supplements. Hydration if you're not fluid restricted, worth asking about that if you still have ascites.
Thank you so much,, love your journey. What an amazing person,, strong,yes it's a sobering reality, in it, that our lives almost gone can turn around at that tipping point, I think we and many others here are extremely aware of our situation, but there is always hope. Like you I had no hope for years,, then at the precise moment!!!! I was given hope. Firstly by not drinking booze,, terrified me, even the thought!!!! Because I now no that outcome,, very plain to understand that consultant!!!! She never mucked around either with her words, again as I've said before,, your so welcome to stay in touch here. With me, I'd like to hear more about your journey your right very alike.. I can't begin to explain what I feel now,, some day's I'm in a very dark space, but never the thought of booze. Keep in touch, together we're stronger
Congratulations Taz. For what it’s worth, I know a number of people ( all former party animals) who have given up completely. Not one of them regrets it. Just requires a social life reset and a focus on some other things that the booze was preventing you from doing. How many units per day do you think you were consuming? I’m asking because I am going through liver investigations and I am puzzled as to how I got here? Best Wishes
Thank you bud,, I was drinking too pass out really good be two bottles of spirit's a day or liters of cider anything, one thing I do know is, I was smashing my monthly amount daily, for years,,at one point I was drinking mouth wash, because I couldn't get my hands on anything else,, I know shocking what it does,, I was killing myself but not intentionally from my heart,, I just thought I needed it,, so unsure of units but it was well above recommended.Keep going keep strong, 😊👍
Welcome! This forum is such a good tool and resource to have. I was delighted when I discovered it. The good people on here really are helpful. I feel extremely isolated with this disease and struggling to get info. This forum has really helped.
Well, it’s great you’re abstinent. That will certainly help you through this. I am a recovered alcoholic and I’ve been through what you’ve described about the not eating etc..when I was in addiction.
I’ve dropped 4 st 8lbs since diagnosis last July. I have now started fortisip & protein powder because of all the muscle wastage. I hope this will build me up a bit. Ideally I should have started sooner but I couldn’t keep food down for a long time. It was suggested here to that I should take them. Will post on here if they work for me.
Wishing you the very best. Complacency you may know can kick in with addiction when you least expect it so I would safeguard recovery by things like meetings, sponsor or whatever your preference. Personally I never thought I’d relapse and I did.
Thank you kindly for your reply to me. And I'd like to wish you all the very best in your own journey,, I feel this site has lifted me up, mentally, physically and yes spiritually. I was in a very dark place out there in the big world for many years, until I actually came onto this site. My whole life has suddenly been threw into a new dimension which is awesome!!! I was on those build up drinks initially yes they are very good for helping to build you back up physically, I certainly needed them to begin with. I'm very lucky,, and i choose not to forget my own back side, with varied varieties of support in my life from a whole spectrum of support groups regarding my overall well-being. I hear what your saying about drinking and in my own personal life I've been there too 100s of times, I'm very confident in the power in which I believe keeps me free, loving, caring, hoping,and this form is certainly park of that. I never had hobbies before in my life because I never knew if I was good at anything. Alcohol the great persuader just took everything, to the point my life was literally hanging by a thread, as you'll know yourself.Keep focused keep going, together we are so much stronger!!
Hi Tazzyguy 1, well done on getting your life back on track, I've not been on here for a while, I've just celebrated 11 years sobriety, and like you I've had my problems with the demon drink..Boy I definitely could write a book, some of the things I've done, nothing bad, but I definitely gave my body a pounding, numerous hospital stays, and getting discharged and going back on the drink immediately, living in a drinkers hostel, yes I'm in Scotland myself and they had this facility, drank everything and anything, when I was flush with money vodka, when I was skint frosty Jack's, or special k cider, Tennant supers, tudor rose wine, anything, I had my reasons, but maybe at another time I'll explain, yes, it ruined my family life, financially affairs, of course my health, I had counseling to sort out my head out, and obviously my health problems needed to be addressed, it's like trying to put a jigsaw back together without the pieces, but eventually everything came together, I'm still suffering from the legacy of drinking, I have neuropathy, nerve damage, so, stick at being sober, I'll follow your journey, if you want any further answers don't hesitate to ask , best of of luck pal , Chris
Thank you so much mate,, amazing, 11 years sober,, day at a time that's an amazing achievement by anyone's standards. I can relate to you no problem. Yes very similar, I'm at my very best when I'm sober, regardless of happy days or sad day's life is so good being sober, yes we pushed the boundaries and paid the price didn't we!!! I certainly did myself. My diet is a massive part of my life now in every aspect of my wellbeing mind, body and soul.
Again, thank you for taking the time to message me I really appreciate it. I was in St Andrews yesterday beautiful wee town, had veggie lunch walk around, charity shop hunting lol blessings of just being sober!! But more than that. Today I'm living and not existing!!!!!!
Friends real friends who have become family to me, want me around, invite me into their lives, and homes, visited me in hospital. Regardless of everything, whether it's my head or something else. Life is okay today! And it's what I'm doing today that matters to me, and so it should us buddy.
Big respect to you mate! I'd be happy to keep in touch
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