First Post - Scared

[bmedger]

Im a 42 year old male. I been having some back pain around ribs/spine and side of my rib cage. I have slightly red palms that are blotchy and recently have developed dry mouth. Im going to see the doctor in 5 days for a check up at which time I will mention all this and go from there, but in the mean time Im mortified. Afraid I have cirhossis and wont be able to watch my children have their own children or see them graduate and I feel like such a fool for going about life drinking without any concern for that until now.

I dont vomit, or bleed anywhere, any wounds I do get clot normally, I have no swelling in extremities. I have persistent dry mouth, reddish palms, and have some trouble sleeping and google suggested this is cirrhosis and I have 2 years to live, please advise.

[AyrshireK]

Welcome to the forum, first off take one thing at a time.

Go and get your check up done - the symptoms you are experiencing could be liver related or totally NOT. Have the tests done first before you convince yourself you are on your way out.

IF they do find you have liver damage it isn't the end of the world and in the absence of any signs of decompensation or liver failure then any talk of 2 year life expectancies is rubbish. Even with cirrhosis there is no reason to suggest you will be clocking out any time soon.

Just to give you a positive slant on that side of things - my hubby was diagnosed with full on decompensated cirrhosis back in April 2012 after a massive variceal bleed. He spent 3 weeks in hospital including a spell in High Dependency. In 2014 he was assessed for and listed for liver transplant but was delisted after 10 months because he improved so much. All these years later he is still very much alive and kicking with a stable but still cirrhotic liver and in the past fortnight has cycled 130+ miles on his e-mtb.

There is life even with cirrhosis BUT as you don't even know you have it yet don't kill yourself with worry, get your tests done, be totally honest with your doctor about your concerns and alcohol intake as that seems to be your concern and take it from there. It goes without saying that if alcohol has been your issue you need to totally reassess your relationship with booze - there are however any number of none alcohol related issues that can still cause liver damage (my hubby is life long t-total and got his cirrhosis through auto immune liver disease).

Come back and let us know how you get on.

Kaite

[vinylcollector in reply to AyrshireK]

In the UK with stage 1, life expectancy is 12-15 years or maybe 20. But this is only if no complications. Best thing is if in the UK talk to the Liver nurse, Consultant or somebody at Liver Trust that is qualified. That's what I was told by Liver nurse and consultant. My experience is personal to me. Best not to panic or visit Dr Google.

[Hidden]

hi there, and welcome.

let me just tell you i was scared too. right side back/rib cage pain when taking a deep breath. total dry mouth to the point where my gums were dry when speaking. found out later i was drinking too much water. my sodium level came back very low which is a sign of over hydration. doctor said drink half in oz of body weight per day. i was drinking double that. should have known, i was peeing so much too. when you are over hydrated, gives you the same symptoms as dehydration. i also stopped using baking soda toothpaste. baking soda made the dryness worse.

my palms have been red and blotchy since high school if i can remember. but after googling (that’s a big no no) thought i was dying of cirrhosis. i am now 52.

all my labs came back normal, ultrasound normal, fibroscan normal. i worried for nothing. i have cut way back on alcohol and am eating super healthy and exercising several times a week since my scare so i’m glad it was a wake up call to change my lifestyle.

[Alibaba80]

Hi. Do you have any other symptoms?Do you have trouble eating or bowel issues?

[bmedger in reply to Alibaba80]

No, I eat as I always have. Breakfast, lunch and dinner and even snacks. I eat full plates of food. No real issues with bowel movements and I check the color and consistency and they appear healthy. There are vertical ridges in fingernails, but Im also a nail biter so Im not sure if thats from trauma from biting on nails or not. Since ive started abstaining from alcohol I have dry mouth and trouble sleeping now.. then I have some back pain, in my rib cage area right side. I dont see any veins, Im not vomiting, no swelling in legs or feet or swollen belly.

[Dogbot]

First thing STOP with Dr Google it is the worst thing to do.

Just a little thing my liver packed up to the point of when I got to A&E the doctor plugged me into drips and said he would come back in the morning to see me, then he said wow you’re still alive. That was 20years this September, I now have a new liver 3 months ago and still enjoying life with my wife and two grandchildren and live a alcohol free lifestyle and enjoying every moment. Please try to relax a wait to see the doctor. Good luck I hope you’re all well with a touch of indigestion 😃.

Stay safe All

Dogbot 🐶🌈Dave

[Readlots]

Ask Dave, Katie, Richard and the liver nurses - never Dr Google! So many knowledgeable people on here.

My Mum lived to a normal age and saw her granddaughter graduate. Her liver disease was autoimmune, so her liver was under constant attack but she didn’t drink, didn’t smoke, ate healthily, excercised regularly (walked every day) and avoided chemicals wherever possible. She had a long and enjoyable life and so can you.

[Austinpickles]

I got a fibroscan result of Kpa 36.2 and hoping I have more than 2 years!

[Brochachoe]

Any updates? Did you have anything serious?