I am really confused. I have felt unwell for several months. Tired, glands up foggy brain. Then got pains under ribs in abdominal area and more on right side. Pale stools with undigested food and fatty sheen. Tight chest and shallow breath etc. But lots of bloods and stool samples and everyone says normal.
GP thinks gallstones? But pain is more constant not sudden acute attacks
My big question is has anyone else had normal LFT s and still then had a Cirrhosis diagnosis
I have been drinking above recommended for many years and had a heavy run for a few months of 50-70 units a week in the lead up to feeling ill.
Thanks
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Shoe2
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British Liver Trust
My LTF's are normal now and I've had cirrhosis for 8 years.. But they weren't at the outset.
wow who are you to say who should and should not ‘bother’ people on here. Your response only adds to the stigma that so many people with alcohol issues feel which stops them from reaching out for help. It is never as simple as ‘a drink problem’ there are more often than not underlying reasons why they are drinking to excess. You may consider your attitude ‘tough love’ but it’s rude, unhelpful and without empathy.
If I did not have my best friend, who is also my spouse, pretty much punch me in the face (not literally, I am speaking figuratively) I would not be alive today.
Thankfully she did and I have been able to help others. Some people benefit from a soft touch and others need a slap. I needed it and sorry if I give it out sometimes to others.
Look at what someone posted above -
My husband was 54. He died about 6 months ago. He had Cirrhosis. The constant drinking killed him.
Maybe someone should have been "not nice" to him when he was not 54 but 34.
I am not a cruel person. I love each and every one of you and pray that whatever is needed for each and every one is found, utilized, and saves lives.
Ken, you really cannot be dishing out that kind of comment to people you don't know from behind a computer screen, however well intended. It could have sent the poster away from this site fearful to return. Its one thing for your wife who knows you to say similar face to face. Please don't take it upon yourself to dish out tough love to people who's story or who's mental health you do not know.
You make a great point. I may need to tone it down a bit. Thank you. Your post has made me reconsider my style. Thank you.
With that having been said, at a certain time there are some folks who need a bracing talking to (think of it as an ice bucket poured on the head). But perhaps this is not the forum for that, but I will say, it is what I needed.
Thank you for your excellent reply, I will keep it in mind.
Hey Ken, I needed the tough love to quit. Like you without my wife calling me out on my crap and most importantly the specialist at the hospital plainly stating, “If you don’t quit drinking you will not live to see your 40s” I likely wouldn’t be here. Haven’t had a drink since. Some people respond others don’t no matter what help or people say. As you know, alcohol is a terrible drug and I now see why specialist say only 1 out of 10 people quit drinking after being diagnosed.
To Shoe, be that 1% and quit drinking forever while you can. You don’t want to end up with this disease. This is a judgment free zone. I think some of us just wish we had quit drinking when the writing was on the wall before it developed into cirrhosis. Love all of you that are in this liver battle!
Thanks. I intend to be the 1 of the 1:10. Pretty sure some damage already done but if I can stop it there I will. Just hoping I can maintain my life and responsibilities. I appreciate all the supporting words.
Ive got to fully agree with rshc again. Finger pointing at me at my lowest ,was truly horrible, I already knew what I was doing to myself was killing me,but the finger pointing attitude of some at the time,I wasn't on the forum then....made me want to end my life,and to hide away, I was already so ,ashamed,embarrassed, disgusted with my self...it was not called for at all....and so not fair.......
People need to delve a little deeper, before they cast judgment.
Fortunately I've had some great folk who have helped me tremendous with counciling, and for that I'm eternally grateful.
Also the forum, some lovely folk,just some support at times,of which we all need at times.
So here i am,abstinent for over 4 years now....I never thought it could be done....
While some folk may respond well to what is called tough love....I didn't, and a softer more understanding approach has got me where I am now.
Well said redpoint. No excuse for being obnoxious to someone especially when they are reaching out for support. Can drive people away and make them less likely to seek help. Can make someone feel as if they are being put down when they are already feeling very low.
I agree,folk are on here the blt website looking for some help,reassurance ,understanding......They have reached out for some sort of help and Information.....as I did.....
And there are some really great folk on here,who have helped so many of us.
Its the hardest thing ever to reach out for a bit of support,,,and thankfully I received some great help,and I so appreciate that.
there is a difference to straight talking and basically telling someone to get lost and stop bothering us. There are not 2 tiers of people suffering with liver disease, whatever the cause everyone deserves the same compassion and advice without judgement
thanks for the support. If I am tough love honest with myself my heavy drinking period of several months is in reality more like 30 months. I am new to all this opening up and am still applying the stigma to myself. My symptoms all point to liver/gallbladder/pancreas and I know from reading BLT website symptoms are normally the impact of liver damage on other organs. My journey starts here. Thanks all.
You have taken a big step facing up to the fact that you are drinking too much. My partner was diagnosed Christmas of 21 with Cirrhosis due to alcohol and he has not had a drink since that day. He wishes of course that he faced up to it sooner however thankfully he is doing ok, from being admitted to hospital with very alarming liver function tests and a spell on the transplant list, his liver function is now basically within range so its a waiting game. Giving up drink is the first and very big step but you need to eat healthy food, avoid salt and be kind to yourself. It would be worth speaking to your GP about stopping drinking as suddenly stopping after drinking heavily can be dangerous and you might need some support here. I would say that everyone we have come into contact with in the NHS has been compassionate and non judgemental so don't feel fear about speaking honestly to your GP. I wish you all the best and do not hesitate to come back here and ask for any advice you need. Take care
My husband was 54. He died about 6 months ago. He had Cirrhosis. The constant drinking killed him. Running back and forth to the party store. It was beer and hard liquor too. I wish that I would've taken him right to the hospital when I first saw his stomach swell, but I never heard of ascites. He was told December 2021 that his liver was enlarged. The doctor wanted to repeat the test in a month, but he never went back. He may still be alive right now, if he would have just stopped drinking. He had saved up enough money that he could've went into a 3-day detox. I know that is not much, but it would've been something to get that alcohol out of his system. The drinking has got to stop.
Thank you for reaching out. And so sorry to hear your husband lost his fight with it. Really grateful for you taking time now to help others like myself
I am definitely sitting up and listening now. I ignored a low B12 result in early 2020 which GP said could be from drinking ! And found hiding my drinking by using spirits was easier than beer or wine! Which is how the units racked up. I am noting symptoms daily to check on changes. And NOT drinking. Other replies have given good options if AA is no help personally.
I am 50 years old and have a wife and 2 teenage kids who I love dearly and they rely on my support and income. Too much to lose and ignored the risks for too long.
I honestly had not realised symptoms only occurred after the damage is irreversible. Head in the sand I guess.
All these replies have been so comforting that I am not alone. I am in a perilous position and have to do everything possible to stop this where it is and work on living with this and its physiological impacts.
Thank you. He was given a warning right there and he apparently didn't take it seriously. Please get back with your doctor and work together to keep your life. We have two daughters too and a grandchild. I grew up without a father and I didn't want that for my children. My youngest daughter is almost 16 and I have to raise her effectively without any paternal guidance. I have not candy-coated about how he died to her, but I admit to not going into every detail. But someday, the reality of what he did and exactly how he died, will become crystal clear to her. Hopefully she will be very aware of a genetic influence on alcoholism, considering that not only her dad, but her own (paternal) grandfather died the exact same way, too.
Thank you. You see these commercials where people are watching football games and having family picnics and drinking a beer like it's as natural as Kool-Aid. And then you'll see these ads where people are drinking wine like it's glamourous. They don't think of the addiction and craving. The dependency. Interfering with family relationships, Drunk driving or even Vehicular Homicide. There's nothing harmless about any of that.
the social acceptability of drinking is alarming. Every social event. Never a query why drinking but always if you don’t. I guess it becomes so normalised. We do need more education on the risks like cigarettes. I honestly did not realise the symptoms are only when it is at this late stage !
That’s a lot of units of alcohol, which if you continue will cause problems for your liver, if it hasn’t already. I have normal LFTs and have cirrhosis..but they weren’t normal when I was first diagnosed. After stopping alcohol for 2 years now, and following a much better diet/exercise regime I’ve maintained normal results. You are at a crucial stage. Stop drinking and see what happens to your health. I suspect you’ll feel tons better in a short time.
many Thanks. I will indeed keep off the drink forever now. Going to join some AA meetings for support. I will find out in due course what the state of my liver is. Cheers
That’s great. It’s not an easy journey but is hugely beneficial. Make sure you get support…if AA doesn’t suit you (it wouldn’t have helped me) there are lots of alternatives. Your GP will advise you on local services. I was supported by Turning Point who were brilliant. Good luck and well done.
Yes thats good, support is so important. For any health problems you have a course of treatment, with addiction its the same, treatment is needed and that treatment is often support, learning and counselling type activities (plus faith if you accept it).
My husband was admitted through a&e in June 2020 with bleeding varices, he was later admitted into icu, and he had various scans, bloods etc done, and blood transfusions, he had 9 units of blood, he had lost so much.
He had normal bloods and the consultant was extremely concerned at this point because his bloods were not matching what the scans revealed.
He was discharged back into the care of his GP, who ran bloods in the sept, abnormal, so repeated them again abnormal, so a referral back to the liver team.
His liver disease was actually caused by excessive amounts of alcohol, and at his worst he was consuming 230 unit’s a week, he was detoxed whilst in hospital and never touched a drop afterwards. He did say that there isn’t enough warnings out there about the dangers of alcohol and the damage it can do, and it’s just part of society, and way of life.
I hope you can quit the drink, and I do appreciate that it can be hard going.
Thank you. I am finding the strength to stop. Not drunk for 6 weeks which is my longest in over 10 years. When I don’t feel so ill will be the hardest part and I will join a support group and speak to GP about other support.
I wish you all the luck in the world, sadly after my husband was detoxed he never felt well, always said he felt like he’d been hit by a bus, felt unwell most of the time, sick, bloated, had sugar crashes from the liver not been able to function well enough to store energy, chronic fatigue, bruising and bleeding very easily, he had a tooth extracted last year and we ended up back in a&e four times in a week due to excessive bleeding and we couldn’t stop it. Very scary for him and me. Water retention, chronic HE, honestly our journey was horrendous, I wouldn’t wish this on anyone.
Last September he had a fall and tore a chest muscle, I returned home from work to a very poorly man, rang for an ambulance, the hospital had trouble stabilising him, did eventually but sadly he continued to deteriorate, despite the hospital’s best efforts he passed away last October. He was 60 years old.
He was poorly for 2 1/2 years and in that time never had another drink, honestly your health is worth so much more than drink.
Good luck on your journey, and remember we are all here to support you, this forum was a very good, reliable source of information and I valued all the input and advice I got.
You wouldn’t believe the utterly nasty response sent to me for my post. Really shocking and inappropriate, but fortunately the BLT deleted it. People posting here deserve compassion, kindness and support.
It is incredible how some can be so nasty and abusive just because someone disagrees with them. Nobody deserves that especially on a forum such as this, where as you say, and amazing that you should have to, that it is about support through kindness and understanding and showing a bit of compassion.
Hello I hear what your saying, in August last year, I was diagnosed with decompensated liver disease now compensated, I was drinking every day for almost 30 years. Well done for stopping drinking firstly! Our livers are very complex and do many things to help our bodies! Like a massive filter, and I damaged it badly, it's now like a rusty old car,, but it's getting by doing what it needs to do with love a good diet and obviously not drinking.I was in hospital recently I had went yellow again and I was in pain everyday. My liver was struggling because I was eating the wrong foods, but as a result of that it was hurting other organs and it flagged up I had gallstones! And an enlarged spleen, I got lucky as I went to hospital straight away, my GP told me it was trapped wind! Good job I never listened to him! A healthy diet is a must, lots of fruit and vegetables, chicken breast, fish, cod and salmon, tuna in water, sardines not in brine, all help, wholemeal bread, potatoes, lots of water, black coffee helps too. Lots of good advice here and support i found that to be my experience anyway. Today we have a choice! To live, because prior to my illness I want not living, life is okay today. I'm very lucky I have a lot of good friends who have become family to me, NO ONE is a fool here and we are here too support each other guide each other, listen to each other too. Nurses here are great, I am awaiting my results from having a CT scan, but today I'm feeling okay, you are doing great keep asking questions, keep reaching out, I wasn't armed with the facts before but now I am and you will be too. I was homeless 30 years and I have a beautiful flat now and hope in my heart. WITHOUT Alcohol, and due to this platform I'm no longer alone! Keep in touch and remember step by step!!!!!!
Thanks Taz. I am learning fast! I agree GPs not helpful - mine saidI had long covid as my LFTs were normal. Had to push and now waiting for ultrasound. I am glad I have found this forum. It is more helpful than my endless googling. But I am preparing for a long journey of feeling constantly ill whilst trying to establish just how ill I am whilst working full time and being here for my teenage children and wonderful wife. I just hope I can manage to keep working as an the main earner.
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