I know this isn't the place for diagnosis but I have recently become horrified after reading up and considering my lifestyle. First things first I will admit I have quite severe health anxiety for which I am receiving CBT. I know that is a problem for me.
My concern really relates to my alcohol intake over years. I workout very regularly and cycle frequently. For the past 10-15 years I would suggest I have been a habitual drinker, normally once a week (Saturday) for 5-6 drinks as part of a social catch up. On occasions I would also drink on a Sunday. 5/6 days a week alcohol free. The other exceptions to this would be things like holidays when it would be usual for me to drink most days whilst away. In my 20's I must admit I was much less care free and drank more.
I am now 42 and thought I would have a general health check with my Dr. He ran a bunch of bloods including standard LFT. Nothing remarkable in any (although I have read many times that this not entirely meaningful in some cases) and when I offered my drinking habits up he seemed unconcerned and suggested it was average/possibly slightly less then. He also suggested the many alcohol free days per week were a good behaviour. However, I am horrified having read up some experiences and in particular that >4 drinks constitutes a binge. I don't really have any clear symptoms (certainly not in terms of the very obvious things I have read about). However, I am currently very scared and feel somewhat withdrawn/tired/uninterested. I cannot determine if this is just down to severe anxiety. I don't think it is a true tiredness/fatigue as I am still able to train/cycle etc.
I guess I am just looking for some thoughts. Honestly I would never have really thought that my drinking pattern was 'that bad' earlier this year but it has become the focus of my life at present. I have tried to seek opinions from friends and family but all think I am really looking into this far too deeply and should concentrate on the tacking the anxiety.
Thanks for listening.
Written by
andyn81
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"He also suggested the many alcohol free days per week were a good behaviour. "
Good point. Please do not do further tests regarding your liver unless your doctor orders some. If you do not have any symptoms/liver damage factors/family history it is not a good idea. If you do some tests on your own, please be aware about false positive results (more likely in this case).
Please don't let your anxiety get the better of you.....sounds as though your facing up to that......
Thats a positive step fella. Remember, you have to do what is right for you.....not family!.
Ive been there,along with quite severe depression.......but with alot of help......
Things have improved.
To try to ease your worries, I was drinking every day, after work.....
With out fail🙄.....reasons behind it, but i won't bore you with that!!!
You have no symptoms to speak of....which is great...
Also doing excersing...also great.
When I was rushed into hospital the consultants asked me very matter of factly, was I a big drinker,....and I replied, just as matter of fact.....that i drank every day....
They asked about amounts, I told them truthfully....
The 1 consultant said we do see some like me that although a daily drinker.....the amounts are not that massive really,and told me, some folk could have 2 glasses of wine a day,and develop cirrhosis.....
On the other hand, someone could be drinking 2 bottles of vodka a day,and never develop liver disease.
But they did empasise, its the benefit of having some alcohol free days,that can make all the difference, to give the liver chance and breathing space to repair....I didn't give mine that chance unfortunately,
....hindsight is a marvellous thing!!!
They said its how each and everyone of us is made......differently!
So me cirrhosis, im afraid. No turning back from that one,not from my point anyway.
Ive not drank alcohol in over 4 years.....there was no choice for me,and I'm glad I did stop it in the end.....my liver was failing, big time.
Whether you choose to continue to drink alcohol is entirely up to you....
Thanks Chris. Quite honestly if anyone had asked me 6 months ago whether I thought I was a problem drinker, I would have been surprised. It is only having now researched that I have got myself to this point. I've not bothered to have a drink for 3 months now so can take it or leave it. Was just my weekly social with friends really at the end of a working week, or sporadic social events that cropped up/holidays when I drank more than once a week. My main fear is the period in my 20's when I was tending to be out much much more but that is now a long time back!
Hey Andy. Anxiety is terrible so great job getting some help. I drank to keep imine at bay and developed compensated cirrhosis at 38 (now 40).
Don’t let your anxiety get the best of you. It doesn’t sound like you over consume alcohol if you are being truthful with the amounts. Taking breaks in days between is a sign you don’t technically feel like you need to drink so that’s a plus. It’s extremely likely that your liver is fine.
Thanks Pushthrough - the anxiety is indeed terrible. Unfortunately this is something that has reared its head at various intervals in my life. As for the consumption, up until about 3 months back I would have considered it relatively moderate. I definitely don't need to drink, more of a habitual thing whilst catching up with friends. I don't deny I drank far more in my 20's though, perhaps thinking back to those times is provoking the anxiety more than recent years. Hope things are going ok for you and thank you for reaching out...
Hey Pushthrough. Can I ask if you are managing to work and day to day life is relatively normal? I’m really concerned about what could happen to me in terms of work etc if it did turn out there was an issue? Perhaps a strange question!
Don't fret yourself with what ifs because it looks like you totally don't have an issue. Many folks live absolutely normal lives despite a cirrhosis diagnosis but for some it's the extra side effects of cirrhosis that sometimes cause lifestyle issues. You arn't in that position so don't add this to your anxieties.
Knock the booze on the head - alcohol is a depressant drug so it's going to be contributing to your anxiety. Prevent this from becoming an issue while you have a choice/chance. My hubby never got a chance to stop his liver becoming cirrhotic - his isn't lifestyle related (auto-immune).
As Katie said many people go on to live normal to semi normal lives. You are in a position now that most on this forum were not lucky enough to be in. You know there is a drinking problem and so does your doc. I didn’t get that warning from a doc until the damage was done. I def didn’t listen to my internal warnings. Believe me you don’t want to even take a chance of damaging your liver. The more you read about liver disease the more symptoms you will get because of anxiety. I’m still seeing a therapist every week and it helps a great deal so keep that up!
Drinking 4 or 5 drinks (not spirits) one or at most twice a week is not a good habit, but I think it is not enough to create a serious liver problem unless you have another aspect of your health that could aggravate the situation.
For example, obesity, diabetes, Alpha-11 Antitrypsin deficiency, any viral infection, genetic or autoimmune disease. If you have doubts, your doctor should examine you and do the appropriate tests to rule out any problems. Axiety is a bad companion and alcohol only makes it stronger.
How many sets of bloods have you had done? If they have all been perfectly normal as before then it would tend to indicate there isn't an issue. If you haven't been drinking then it's unlikely there is any worsening in your liver. Normal platelets is generally a good sign.
I am not medically qualified to say yeah or nae but in the absence of any symptoms, all perfect results and your change in lifestyle choices it doesn't sound like you have any issues. You could always give the British Liver Trust nurses on the helpline a ring to see what they think based on your story to date.
I had all the tests plus FBC and inflammation markers redone a few weeks back. I was concerned about a bout of severe diarrhoea I came down with on holiday. All fine again, platelets had increased by 10,000 since this time last year.
Been back to Docs this morning about joint stiffness / feeling hot / my concerns.
She's run a load more tests again - same things as before but also things for thyroid and some other inflammation markers.
I asked again about cirrhosis and they are just not things she is entertaining at present. This is now the 4th different doctor who thinks my anxiety is not controlled and this is probably where we need to focus as a next step - unless of course the tests reveal anything.
I asked about a FIB 4 and she said they would not look at those generally unless there was some signal in the other liver bloods.
Two sets of LFT, U&E and one FBC. To be honest they were only done about 3/4 weeks after I last ever drank. In theory I guess my liver health should be better now shouldn’t it. Platelets were well over minimum range.
I genuinely think your anxiety is pushing you to look into this deeply.
It certainly doesn’t sound like there is any issues. Yes .. early cirrhosis can be asymptomatic. But it really doesn’t sound your drinking would lead to this.
There are exceptions to the rule, however bloods are fine etc. you sound active, doing the right things so enjoy being healthy. Try not allow your anxiety lead you to wasting time looking for problems.
When I was diagnosed I was very ill and it was my drinking which got me there.
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