liver pain in side. Terrified

[LeWabbit]

I am a heavy drinker who had a scare earlier this year where I was told I had reversible liver damage. I was sober for a month and bloods improved. I foolishly slipped back to my old ways of very heavy daily drinking and now have pain in my right side. I am seeing the doctor tomorrow and can’t see how it won’t be a cirrhosis diagnosis. I have destroyed myself and more importantly my family.

[mtk0925]

if it was reversible I doubt it would go into cirrhosis that quickly. Good luck to you! Alcohol is hard one to kick but necessary

[LeWabbit in reply to mtk0925]

Thanks. I was prescribed tablets to make me sick if I drank at the time but decided I didn’t need them. I’m changing my mind on that point and starting them after speaking to the doctor

[Aotea2012]

I have cirrhosis and I don’t think I’ve ever had a pain in my right side. I have had abdominal discomfort, more like a dull ache, but I’d never have described it as pain. I really doubt that you can have gone from reversible liver disease to cirrhosis in a few months, particularly as you were abstinent for a month in there as well. The abstinence alone will have started to repair things. I would, however, treat it as a warning…and seek support to stop drinking. You have a chance now to allow your liver to recover and avoid the problems that come with cirrhosis. I’m very well compensated and feel very well. I gave up the booze just over 2.5 years ago when I was diagnosed. I live a normal life but make sure I watch my diet, my salt intake, and generally ensure I pay attention to my body. I also have to have regular health checks and the odd endoscopy. I’m a lot more cautious with my health than I’ve ever been as a result of my diagnosis. I’m on the lower end of the scale compared to many on here…and wish I’d stopped when it was reversible. I’m sure there are many here who wish they had too. You will need support to stop…so ask for it now whilst there’s still time. I can honestly say that having got through the withdrawal process, I now don’t miss alcohol at all.

[LeWabbit in reply to Aotea2012]

Thanks for the support. A dull ache is maybe a better way of describing the feeling I have. I am going to follow up the prescription drugs to make me sick if I drank and counselling referrals I thought I could cope without and just praying for the right answer from my doctor to allow me to do all of that.

[Csbass828 in reply to Aotea2012]

I have a burning pain in my right side just below my ribs all the time. I was told I had NASH. I don't drink often and I've been on a diet since I found out, but I'm still hurting. I don't understand, because I haven't seen anybody even with chirosis with a burning pain there all the time.

[wp69]

Does the dull ache go away when you have a drink ?

[LeWabbit in reply to wp69]

I stopped drinking about 72 hours ago and it has been much more noticeable since then so I think the drinks must have been hiding it

[wp69 in reply to LeWabbit]

Yes , mine used to ache about 18 hours after a drink , so I had another drink to take the pain away

[Csbass828 in reply to wp69]

I don't drink much, I haven't tried drinking to see if it'll go away. I'm afraid drinking will make it worse.

[10864]

I usually wrote a longer response when I see my symptoms in someone but you can my old posts if they would help.

I’m a 43ye old alcoholic sober 2.5yrs and I had that ache started couple months before I stopped drinking, it was a MASSIVELY inflamed liver that could be felt by the doctor at investigations. Same thing, badly damaged liver unsure whether fibrosis F3 or cirhosis - they were unsure because my bloods were all sky high because I was still drinking. Stopped drinking with the help of AA and with much gratitude, all damage has reversed and now no damage, F0-1 fibrosis at most.

You can chose to carry and drinking and live with the constant worry about what you’re doing to yourself and your family or seek real help, not just tablets but support in staying stopped..

wish you all the very best

[LeWabbit in reply to 10864]

Thanks for the support. I met the doctor today who took bloods and ultrasound is tomorrow so fingers crossed for not the worst results. I am also getting proper support as it hasn’t worked managing this without it. Glad to hear it worked out well for you

[Csbass828 in reply to 10864]

I'm very happy for you, that is a true success story! Stay strong!

[Keith01]

Yes the obvious thing is cirrhosis, there is no other option but to stop drinking You have to picture life for your family without you, as I'm afraid it just gets worse. Stop now and you can reverse some of the damage, but you need a lifestyle change, exercise, no fatty foods and plenty of water. It's easy to give up today with the options to you, so do it.

[LeWabbit in reply to Keith01]

Thanks Keith. I am determined to make changes and all these comments are really helpful in convincing me to keep going on that path

[Segy]

Does any one on here have drains or had them in the past. I have 1 every fortnight n it's getting me down. Need help or advice please

[Tp807 in reply to Segy]

I find them painful if the nursing team are busy and they are left in longer than necessary. My bag started showing blood in it. I told a care assistant (who didn't care) if they didn't get a nurse I was going to pull it out myself. I hate having the drains. When the nurse came she was so apologetic. They were on shift change and she said it shouldn't have been left in more than 8 hours.

[VickiSpence in reply to Tp807]

8 hours? Wow. Yeah that's been a maximum of an hour for me, and it does get painful if not placed correctly or too long.

[Tp807 in reply to VickiSpence]

They drained 13 litres so it took hours but shouldn't have been left in that long. At one point the day nurse got panicked at the amount of fluid bag changes and called the doctor. He said keep going lol. I felt sorry for them. Not a pleasant job.

[A_3p]

Definitely get back on the tablets and also have counselling. I drank heavy for seven years and stopped with the help of counselling and ant abuse! 8 years later and I’m still alcohol free and life is so much better! Good luck you can do it .

[grlewycky]

do you have a specialist ( hepatologist or Gastroenterologist? )

did you get ultrasound, CAT or MRI ?

might need liver biopsy to be 100% certain, BUT YOU HAVE QUIT ALCOHOL altogether now

any liver disease in your family ?

also review medications past and present some can cause liver damage

Are your medications (past & present) safe on your liver

Liver Toxicity database of Medications (DILI/DILD) - see if your medications past or present could be causing liver damage

livertox.nih.gov/

livertox.nih.gov/drugliveri...

[LeWabbit in reply to grlewycky]

I’ve had an ultrasound but waiting for results. No liver disease in the family. Once I have results I’ll review what to do going forward but very confused at the moment

[wp69 in reply to LeWabbit]

Let us know how you get on , all the best .

[Latics1989-90 in reply to grlewycky]

HiI'm sorry to interrupt but I'd just like to say my liver disease is caused by meds from my Drs over the years. I have compensated cirrhosis. Thank you for highlighting this as a cause for liver disease. xx 💜

[grlewycky]

you might need an MRI or CAT afterwards

are you on any medications on those websites

[grlewycky]

find a Gastroenterologist/Hepatologist in the meantime and schedule appointments

[LeWabbit]

After a very anxious few days, I got my results today and thankfully it looks like my liver is back to where it was earlier in the year when I was told I had reversible disease and no evidence of cirrhosis and bloods are all good. I really appreciate all the support and advice from this group which has been invaluable to helping me cope with this week. I am now planning to get the proper support I need to never drink again and will definitely take this as a final warning to turn my life around. I don't want to be this scared of not seeing my children grow up again! Good luck to everyone with their own journeys and I will continue to follow posts to keep me on the straight and narrow and for the advice and support everyone offers. Thanks!

[WildHorses101 in reply to LeWabbit]

Please please take good care of yourself and get ALL available help, guidance and support and dont be afraid to shout up for help! You really need to not only take care of yourself but your family too. Trust me, you are one of the few fortunate ones!

Grab your life and hold on to it with both hands, the harsh reality - im sure your children dont want to be saying “we lost our dad to liver disease” and have to live without you.

Liver Disease stole my soulmate away from me and our 2 beautiful Children (young adults) just 12 days ago, id hate your partner and children to have to go through what we now face each and every day, we are absolutely shattered as a family 💔

Take care

K

[LeWabbit in reply to WildHorses101]

I'm so sorry to hear about your devastating loss and send all my best wishes to you and your family at an awful time. Thank you so much for taking the time to send me a message - it is a very powerful one that really helps me to focus on taking this chance to see my children grow up (they are young teenagers at the moment) and have the life I wish my family to have with me in it. I thought I could manage stopping drinking on my own and turned down various support offers partly as I didn't want to admit to people I was an alcoholic. It didn't work and I kept relapsing. I don't care what I admit now as long as I get the help to stay healthy with what I feel is my final warning. As I said, thanks again for the message and I hope you can find some comfort in happy memories and your children.

[WildHorses101 in reply to LeWabbit]

Just remember, you are stronger than you think you are - it takes a very strong person to admit they have a drink issue and an ever stronger person to ask for help!

Wishing you well and please take good care of yourself and your beautiful family you have 🙂

Kind regards

K

[Latics1989-90 in reply to WildHorses101]

HiI'm so sorry to hear of your very sad loss.y heart goes out to you all

You are in my thoughts and prayers

Lots of love xxxx 💜🫂🙏💟🫂🙏

[Latics1989-90 in reply to LeWabbit]

That's brilliant!! Onwards and upwards now. Ask for all the help you and your family need. You are doing so well. Take care cx

[Tp807]

I can say I have had incredible pain. More than a dull ache it could have been related to the ascities and other things. I had 13 litres of fluid drained.

[LeWabbit in reply to Tp807]

I’m so sorry to hear that. I hope you have people to help support you through this.

[Tp807 in reply to LeWabbit]

Thanks. Very kind of you

[Warrior1]

Great news...delighted for you !! Similar story for me personally too. But AA 12 steps keeps me focused, sober and a grateful recovering alcoholic. Stay strong ! 🙏

[LeWabbit in reply to Warrior1]

Thanks very much. I am very aware how lucky I am to be in the position I am after drinking at what are very dangerous levels and realising how much I have been risking. I'm treating this as my final warning and am looking forward to a healthier future with my family. Good luck to you too and pleased to hear your story😀