Blood test results

[LeeC20]

Hi, I hope everyone is doing well as can be. I just have a couple of questions please. Just to summarise I was diagnosed with arlfd about four years ago. I went to my local alcohol misuse centre and had all hep c vaccinations and a US, in which they said it was moderate, and if it got any worse i would be in trouble. I was still drinking everyday at the time and didn't ask too many questions. They said there was some scarring. Now I have given it up for 2 months and started to get health anxiety, so requested blood and stool samples. I was hoping to get a more detailed explanation and possibly and US, but my doctor point blank refused to send me for one, as he said my bloods are fine and don't warrant it. I was wandering if anyone has been in a similar situation, as I know bloods alone don't tell the whole story

Thanks

Lee

[Readlots]

Hi Lee, I’m afraid I haven been in that situation as my bloods definitely warranted further exploration. If yours are looking good - take the win. Don’t go looking for trouble. The BLT has a good section on heath anxiety on its web site. It’s a horrible thing - I’d suggest getting help with that to address the worry about your liver and definitely DONT Google!

[LeeC20 in reply to Readlots]

Thanks so much for the response, yes I have made the mistake of checking in with Dr Google and it's terrifying. The questions my doctor asked, was mostly, are you yellow, do you itch, all the things associated with advanced liver disease. He said to trust him and my bloods, and with my history it doesn't quite feel right. Thanks so much

[Readlots in reply to LeeC20]

I think that’s the health anxiety talking. Why would you trust Dr Google more than your GP who has years of training and experience? Lots of good advice from others so hang in there, it sounds like the anxiety is all part of the withdrawal. This too will pass

[LeeC20 in reply to Readlots]

I've never had a real diagnosis, I was told my liver disease was moderate, I don't know if it's moderate fibrosis or not, so I still left in the dark. My Dr point blank refused an US with my blood results. I will go private in six months and take the win for now.

[Readlots in reply to LeeC20]

I think a conversation with the BLT helpline might be in order. They are trained liver nurses who can explore your individual circumstances and steer you in the right direction. They’ve posted below. Keep up the good work. You’ll get there I’m sure

[Ewife]

Hello,Id say give it more like 6 months to really start feeling the benefit of abstinance - Congratulations on the excellent start!

You might find that the anxiety is partly the process of your body/mind adjusting to being without the 'crutch' of alcohol. Try and find new relaxing hobbies so that you can enjoy your new lifestyle.

I don't have much experience of adiction really, although we still had to face the lifestyle change. Many forum users on here will be able to give you lots of helpful advice and experience. Keep strong 🙂

Ewife

[SirRobert]

I would agree with Ewife. I stopped drinking six months ago and had quite heightened activity for a few months and every change I noticed in myself was obviously cause for concern.

I used to suffer with panic attacks and health anxiety before and constantly felt on edge however (without wishing to jinx anything!) few and far between now - other than anxiety before needing a procedure or more generally in circumstances where you’d expect to feel nervous.

When people said that alcohol increased anxiety rather than take the edge off I’m not sure I believed that. I would certainly change my view on that now! It would seem too coincidental!

Im glad the doctors are happy with your results, and well done on stopping too. It’s not easy and it is so normalised and everywhere. It’s not easy to change any habits including dietary changes etc and takes a while for it just to become second nature. But it will and can only be a positive step! X

[BritishLiverTrust8 Moderator British Liver Trust]

Dear LeeC20

If you would find it useful to talk things over, our nurse-led helpline is open Monday to Friday from 9am to 4pm on 0800 652 7330 (excluding bank holidays)

With regards to the health anxiety that you mention, here is the link to some information which you may find useful healthunlocked.com/britishl...

Best wishes

British Liver Trust

[Grassroots112]

Hi there and sorry you are going through this right now. Congratulations on staying away from alcohol for so long especially given your concerns over your liver, you are doing the right thing and hopefully by doing so whatever damage has been done to your liver even if moderate or minor will reverse itself which it can do. Your will be giving it the best chance by staying off booze.

Sadly the NHS is so stretched right now even if you have concerning health issues you will struggle to get seen to not just quickly, but correctly too in terms of getting answers and seen by the right people, but I urge you to keep pushing because this is your health not theirs and I’ve learned the hard way that keeping on top of your health is the key to a happy - and of course - healthy life.

Most GPs sadly know very little about liver disease other than text book stuff so when they ask if you’re yellow, or do you itch or have red palms or do you get pains around your liver etc. that’s because they’ve been taught to associate those symptoms/issues with cirrhosis or advanced liver disease, but liver disease is often silent and people can have cirrhosis without knowing it for years. Then there is other non liver damage long term heavy drinking can cause like neuropathy and anxiety and even depression. Basically trust your GPS, but trust your own instincts and remember most GPs are not qualified liver experts. NOR IS GOOGLE, stay away from that unless you are researching medical journals and research papers on the liver and alcohol related liver disease.

If your doctors are unwilling to run more tests or keep fobbing you off, look out for mobile health units in your area where the NHS put on a health bus of sorts where they carry out tests on people for all kinds of diseases like liver disease, heart disease, cancer screening etc. which the Liver Trust often advertise on here when they do pop up like mobile fibro scan units, you just walk up to them and can often be found in supermarket car parks or at college/uni campuses, basically similar to the mobile covid jab buses. The Liver Trust also has a helpline number you can call.

Or you could go private, but scans and tests can be expensive. If you are still in touch with the alcohol misuse center, they may carry out their own fibroscans and other tests, my local one had a nurse from the NHS come in with a mobile one every week for patients of the centre and they had a nurse in situ who could take bloods and stools and urine examples. Either way, good luck and again you have done the right thing by staying off the booze, that’s the main thing. I wish you well, take care.

[LeeC20 in reply to Grassroots112]

Thanks all for giving me a detailed response, it's really helpful. I understand the NHS is under a lot of strain, so I'm going to continue to abstain and save up for a fibroscan, or keep an eye on local roadshow. The only person to blame from my not knowing is myself.