Cirrhosis ? .

[cassxx]

Im getting really worried. Ive been heavily drinking for the past 4 years. I have been drinking on average 3 nights a week probably around 35cl of vodka plus couple glasses of wine.

My bowels have been bad for a couple of years. Strettorhea I think it's called. Recently, been getting intense itching during the night, I did read this could be withdrawal though ?

Ive recently had a blood test, testing my liver and all was fine. However, am I right you need a scan to diagnose ?

Can anyone share how long into drinking you developed it and also what were your symptoms. I know I REALLY need to stop drinking. I'm really struggling though.

[cassxx]

P.S Itching is mainly hands and feet

[cassxx in reply to cassxx]

Also, forgot to add I am 37

[Meanies in reply to cassxx]

Hi it showed on my blood tests and now I have liver failure I’m 37 2 young children. Haven’t drank now in 15 months. Just got the hepatitis vaccination and my arm is really sore. You should get a scan to put your mind at ease

[bintcliffe]

Hi, I had been drinking in excess of 25 years before I was diagnosed with cirrhosisHayley x

[MINTVCX]

"Ive been heavily drinking for the past 4 years. I have been drinking on average 3 nights a week probably around 35cl of vodka plus couple glasses of wine."

Not good for your liver but it is highly unlikely to develope serious problem (of course if you do not have any other factors like fatty liver, high BMI or other unknown for you liver disease).

[cassxx in reply to MINTVCX]

BMI is normal and no fatty liver as far as I know.

Thanks for replies. The itching is driving me MAD 😭

[lonmallin50 in reply to cassxx]

When i had cirrhosis before my transplant i was itching all the time my doctor give me a bottle of Dermacool to rub on it keeps you cool and relives the itchy skin I don't think you got cirrhosis though if your results are fine try it it might work it did for me

[Aotea2012]

That’s a lot of alcohol and well above recommended levels but as others have said, it’s highly unlikely that it will cause cirrhosis particularly as you’ve confirmed that you don’t have other risk factors. You are also having alcohol free days which allows your liver to recover. Try and cut back as it’s not good for your long term health. The itching is unlikely to be related to your liver so go and see your GP and get allergy tests done. It’s likely to be related to something you are eating or sensitivity to a chemical you are in skin contact with e.g a detergent you are washing our bed clothes in.

[cassxx in reply to Aotea2012]

Thank you! It def isn’t allergies etc ( I do get them this is different ) it happens whether in bed or not unfortunately 😭

[Aotea2012 in reply to cassxx]

Ok. It’s still worth talking to your GP. They can investigate the cause and also offer some medication to lessen the itching.

[mantana in reply to Aotea2012]

> The itching is unlikely to be related to your liver

Skin itching does happen with liver disease, i.e.:

mayoclinic.org/diseases-con...

Itchy skin (pruritus)

Causes

Internal diseases. Itching on the whole body might be a symptom of an underlying illness, such as liver disease, kidney disease, anemia, diabetes, thyroid problems and certain cancers.

[Aotea2012 in reply to mantana]

Yes it does and is a common symptom. The clinical picture here makes it sound as if it’s unlikely to be the cause here -clear bloods and moderate alcohol use. Nevertheless it’s important that it’s followed up by a GP as no one on here is clinically trained

[lucastyle]

Take probiotics that will alleviate your diarreah. If test are good, dont be to worried. Get a fibroscan if you really want to know the health of your liver.

[Rshc]

firstly, the best thing you can do is stop drinking. The liver is incredible and even if badly damaged can recover to some degree. In truth only a scan or biopsy can diagnose cirrhosis, a blood test will only show if your liver function is struggling and if this is accompanied by symptoms it’s considered decomposition cirrhosis. You can have compensated cirrhosis with normal bloods but what that generally means is little or no symptoms so for example if you had lots of symptoms this would definitely show with some abnormal bloods. Try and see how you feel if you can give up drinking for a month or so, you may find the symptoms you experienced resolve

[BritishLiverTrust11 Moderator]

Hello

Here is the link to our information about alcohol-related liver disease (ARLD) on our website, which you may find useful, including where to find help if you wish to stop drinking.

britishlivertrust.org.uk/in...

Best wishes

British Liver Trust

[Menomosso]

highly unlikely, but worth getting checked, I had been drinking more than that EVERY day for 25 years + and still didn’t have serious liver damage.

[bagpuss7]

I don't want to panic the original poster because I agree she's likely fine. However I had 3 years of daily drinking ( 2 bottles of wine most days just after caring for my loved one with dementia for years, not an excuse!) I went into liver failure. I had an auto immune condition and was overweight.( Not obese) I am not sure stories of years of drinking and being fine are helpful. Everyone is different and women are physiologically more likely to get liver disease.

[Becks1313 in reply to bagpuss7]

I have an autoimmune disease and even though I haven't drunk for a month Im still having itchy hands can you relate? I have a basic liver scan next week and bloods 😢

[Catalandali]

Hi, I would definitely try to stop drinking or at least cut down a lot. It can be hard but there’s lots of help out there but you have to want to do it.

Like you I drank a lot for many years and was OK. In May I was rushed into A&E and had stage 4 cirrhosis and liver failure. I was put on oxygen, blood transfusions and lots of drips and my family were warned that I was unlikely to live. I remember the discussion I had about a DNR and whether I wanted to die in hospital or at home.

I decided on home and was discharged after 2 1/2 weeks unable to walk or weight bear and struggling to talk. I put my family through hell. Against the odds I survived and am 7 months sober. I have regained most of my fitness and now swim 1km at least 4 times a week and do lots of other exercise.

I hope my story in some ways helps, it is the first time I have shared it.

Best wishes

Catalan