iv been drinking beer for 20 year's, 4 to 5 pints most evenings at home after work. I know I must have damaged my liver in some way, I’m not stupid.! But my problem is that I dare’nt go for a liver function test as I also suffer with heath anxiety which doesn’t help ? Not that anyone one has asked me for a LFT.!!
I’m of normal weight, BP good, diets good , Active and working . Normal blood goods, full blood count anyway.! Iv no common outward signs or symptom's of any alcohol related damage but I know you don’t sometimes even when damage is there.?
im really wanting to stop drinking but without having loads of tests that will probably pick up liver damage and send my health anxiety through the roof.!! My GP has examined my abdomen area and said he’s no concerns even when I told him how long Iv been regularly drinking.!! Any advice will be greatly appreciated.
thankyou. Ron.
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Jetcat
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Stop drinking…but get the advise of your GP about how to go about this. Don’t just stop as it can be dangerous. Get that out of the way and stay sober for a bit…then get your bloods done. Chances are everything will be fine.
As everyone says get GP support to help you if you want to stop drinking. I have nafld and cirrhosis, not alcohol related but I know that I enjoy sweet things a lot. I had no obvious signs of issues when I was younger as I used to walk miles every day. Sweet things were also my go to when I needed comfort, or celebrating, or reading, or in company.
I am a lot better at watching what I eat now as I have been scared about my health, and I can't do the exercise I used to. It is really hard when I get stressed and I admit I slipped the last couple of days due to issues getting to me. I have found it easier most of the time to resist or have just a tiny taste of something sweet. It isn't easy though, because it was a long established habit. It isn't alcohol, but the principle is the same. I am overweight but only just over my target weight range maximum.
If you want to stop get the support now and don't do what I did and wait. The GP may be able to give advice on other services which can help as well as giving help.
thankyou Gill. Iv managed to get an appointment with GP next week so I’m going to have a good chat with her and make a start on getting this alcohol habit sorted. 👍
In addition to the suggestions from members of the forum, here is the link to our information about alcohol and liver disease on our website, which you may find useful:
Jet I was in a similar position as you at 38. Bad anxiety and a drinking problem to keep that anxiety at bay. Please get some help to get off the booze. 🥃 I knew I had a problem like you and I ignored it because Covid hit and my anxiety went through the roof. I found out I had cirrhosis shortly after my wife’s double mastectomy. It was a terrible time. But with the kind and devastating words of specialists I was able to quit drinking. You don’t want to have to give it up after you have permantely damaged your liver.
as others said you don’t want to quit cold turkey because the withdrawals are aweful and it can be dangerous. Some drink their whole lives and don’t develop cirrhosis but countless others aren’t as lucky. The question is do you want to take that chance? Cirrhosis never crossed my mind but it’s crossed yours. Listen to your body, it wants you to quit.
Thankyou G. really appreciate your reply. Iv managed to get an appointment with doctors next week to hopefully see if there’s a walk in center? and plan to slowly come off it because like you say it can be dangerous to go cold turkey.!
I know it’s not going to be easy because it’s been a habit for to long unfortunately.
It was hard stopping smoking over 20 years ago but I did it and I’m expecting stopping this drinking will be even harder.?
My first symptoms that anything was wrong was fatigue and lack of appetite. I drank most days, never in the house, always the pub, more to do with loneliness and depression that I have had since the age of 8 when 3 traumatic events in my life had happened.
While I was drinking 4 to 5 pints at a time, never spirits. I went to the doctor for tiredness and lack of appetite and bloods were deranged and I had signs of jaundice starting.
A lot happened in hospital and I ended up in for 6 weeks. I haven't had a drink for 8 months now and liver functions within normal range. I rent have varices, no lesions on the liver but have bright echo on liver that my consultant advised is fatty liver from alcohol.
This isn't for everyone, but I still ho to the pub a couple of times a week but drink mainly water. The pub's yes mire than 1 are okay with it and apart from getting the pass taken outbof me my mates are fine with me not drinking.
My consultant is putting me on a beta blocker to stop varices from starting and all in all I am a very lucky man. While I know people who drink a lot more than I did my drinking days are over, but not my days yet.
I have said a lot but I won't say stop drinking, but dont be frightened to do so if it is required. If I were you I would get my blood tests done to check your okay and then once you know if there is any issues. And then decide if you can cut back or if you need to stop drinking. There are other issues that can effect your liver other than alcohol.
I wad never happy drinking, so why wouldn't I stop and I hope you gind what you need and I would suggest getting blood tests done to ease your anxiety over there being something wrong because if there is then you know where you stand and if there isn't take the actions so that you aren't anxious that your drinking is harming.
thankyou very much Oasis, I did get the courage to do blood tests and doctor said liver enzymes slightly above normal levels and they are reversible at this stage if I stop drinking. I think I’m very lucky but am still struggling with stopping completely!! I think my next move is councilling or a self help group.?
Glad to hear you got the bloods done. I am jot a doctor or a Councillor but if you want to stop or at least cut it down to once or twice a week counselling may help. For me and this only me, once I decided no alcohol it was easier than waking up how much I can get away with.
I don't have any counselling or go to organisations like the AA for stopping drinking, and for me it isn't difficult even after 35 years drinking every day but to date I just accept it and it works. I know that it isn't that easy for a lot if people and I hope you get the support you need if you decide to stop or at least cut right back on your drinking.
I think stopping is the best way forward for me mate.!! I have an addictive nature and just couldn’t see me just having a pint.? So if I get it into my head of complete abstinence then I think it’s going to lessen the chances of me getting back on it.?? It’s strange because I never ever fancy a drink until 5.30pm ish. I wouldn’t dream of drinking in the day time. Even going abroad on holiday I flatly refuse because I don’t want one.! It’s a strange thing is the human body,
This is my first post since being diagnosed with cirrhosis a couple of months ago. I’ve been a drinking for nearly 40 years, was part of my lifestyle, work and social I now realise.
LFT and all other bloods normal, I only had a fibroscan in May as I had a repeat blood test for ALT that came back normal but the GP asked me if I wanted a fibroscan as I had an ultrasound back in 2011 that showed fatty liver, I didn’t want one has I didn’t want to know but I said yes and stopped drinking that day, I’ve always said I enjoy drinking but I don’t need it, and I’ve found other things to occupy my time. It’s amazing how you realise that alcohol is your life, you make plans around it and now I feel free and losing weight and exercising.
I have a biopsy next week to 100% confirm Cirrhosis but I know it is and will never touch a drop of alcohol again.
Sorry for the rambling post, my point is, get the tests done and take it from there and make informed choices/decisions about your life.
Good luck!
P.S This board and the people on it have been amazing!
Reading people’s real life experiences and support of others is truly great and so comforting.
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