Scared

[Starlight79]

Hi everyone, I’m not sure what I’m looking for from you lovely people, maybe just your experience. I’m 44 and have been an alcoholic for 11 years. I was very in the dark about my condition. Last November I had an ascities drainage, I didn’t know the cause, just a massive, painful tummy. The drainage was explained but not the cause. I tried to avoid google for advice. I stoped drinking for 3 months, felt great, back at work, jaundice had gone. Fast forward to this year, July I had an internal bleed, it was varicies but not banded. At this point I was given more information, went for counselling and haven’t drank since. October I thought I had food poisoning, sickness and diarrhoea for 24 hrs, felt ok the next day until evening and fainted in the bathroom, found myself in icu having a 6 ltr blood transfusion. Felt better about two days after and was discharged after 5 days. Got home, 2 days later same again and back in icu with stomach infection and ascities as the Dr’s took me off them. 10l drainage, more blood, antiobiotics and stayed in for 2 weeks. I have been informed it’s end stage cirrohsis. Going to hospital next week to discuss treatment or transplant. Sorry I’ve wrote so much. I think everything has just hit me today that I’m actually dying.

[Bantam2]

Sorry to hear your ideal. Can’t believe when you had ascities it wasn’t explained at the time there was a good chance it was your liver. Good on you for stopping drinking and that you have an appointment to discuss next steps.

I was given maybe 2 years without a transplant and it’s a shock as part from itching and swelling in ankles I felt fine but I got my transplant in Jan and 3 months later felt 20 years younger.

Hopefully you will get on the transplant list and whilst you wait concentrate on your diet, exercise, sleep etc.

Hope you feel more reassured after your appointment. Let us know what they say xx

[2022minks]

I am sad to hear that on your first visit with ascites you weren't told the cause or referred to the gastrology dept for clarification on cause. It is alot to take in and if you are offered counselling as part of your pathway please go as coming to terms with a diagnosis will help you to put your affairs in order on you, your care, your finances and your wishes whilst you are still in reasonable health. I would really recommend talking to the British Liver Trust nurses when you know more. Their downloadable booklets will help you to understand cirrhosis, and there are so many people on here that will be here for you. Sending you love ❤

[BritishLiverTrust8 Moderator British Liver Trust]

Dear starlight79

Here are the links to information about cirrhosis on our website, which you may find useful

britishlivertrust.org.uk/in... (including a suite of publications towards the bottom that are downloadable or can be posted)

If you [are in the UK and] would find it useful to talk things over, our nurse-led helpline is open Monday to Friday from 9am to 3pm on 0800 652 7330 (excluding bank holidays)

Best wishes

British Liver Trust