This morning an envelope came with my latest results from my rheumy appointment; blood tests. I am worried that my liver results will be bad because I have been drinking too much again. My Gamma GT levels were marginally high before.
My dilemma is that we go on holiday tomorrow morning. Do I open the results now or leave them until we get back? I am thinking that if there's anything to worry about the GP will ring me - but then it usually takes our GP surgery about a month to read results letters!
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Broseley
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I do sympathise with your dilemma….I have to admit I’d feel that way myself.
However…..I think you know what you should do. If you open the envelope, you may be reassured…..OR you may find that there is a problem, and that you need to cut down the alcohol. Not an easy thing to hear, but maybe a necessary one. Put your health first! And open the envelope…..!
Thanks for your lovely reply. My 'head in the sand' mind set is winning at the moment. I think if the results are bad I'll not be able to focus on packing, so I'll get that done first.
Some parts of Northumberland are much drier than forecast. I have never experienced a full week of rain, so fingers crossed! Pack, open the envelope, and make the most of your time away.
I know for a fact that whether on medication or not, drinking too much alcohol on a regular basis is rarely going to end well.
I've personally never really drunk a lot of alcohol but since my PMR diagnosis back in 2019 I've almost completely abstained altogether.
On the few special occasions when I've had just one glass of wine to celebrate something, the next day I've felt really rough.... acid, bloated stomach, indigestion, nausea, cramps, loss of appetite, feeling sluggish.
For me, it's not worth the consequences.
I know quite a few people on here who do indeed enjoy a drink or two and experience no adverse effects provided they are sensible and moderate their alcohol intake, so I'm certainly not saying you should stop altogether.
If you are drinking more than you know you should though, then perhaps it's time to rein it in.
You're definitely increasing your risk of developing conditions like heart disease, liver disease, stomach and breast cancer, type2 diabetes, high blood pressure...... so not the future I'd be aiming for!
I think you need to open the results.
If they're not as good as you hoped then maybe that'll motivate you to not over indulge (just because you're on holiday) If the results are ok then happy days! But also, don't see that as a licence to go mad with the alcohol whilst you're on your holiday!
It's easy for me to sit here and tell you what I think.....but then you have asked us all what we think!😆
Whatever you decide, I'm sure you know that you probably need to consume less alcohol, so follow your gut instinct, do what you know is the right thing for you and have a lovely holiday.
If it were me I wouldn't be able to forget this while on holiday and would become increasingly unhappy nearer the end of that period. I would probably spoil my trip and then return to discover that the test results were OK.
Up to you - but had it taken until tomorrow to arrive you wouldn't have seen it would you? But now you know they are there - different matter.
There are lots of nice low alcohol things - from wine to beer. Try them - I did when my girls were here and found beer shandy I found perfectly acceptable. Italian Peroni and Moretti as it happens.
Thanks, I tried some non alcoholic wine but it was really sweet. I don't like fizzy drinks so I usually end up on tap water or coffee in the pub if I'm not drinking. Other soft drinks are too sweet for me. At home I have sugar free ginger beer (opened and left to go flat) or no-added sugar blackcurrant and apple squash.
As you and others have said, you’ll have re-tests on your return and can address any issues then. CRP could be a bit higher for any number of reasons. Expect you’ll want to keep an eye on blood pressure, even if this higher reading was probably caused by rushing! (I have a machine at home, cost around £20 from the big A, same make as they use in clinic, which enables me to monitor myself occasionally).
Anyway, have a great holiday 😊All the best to you xx
Although there's probably some truth in that I'm not entirely convinced that that would apply to everyone.
The one thing I do know, is that steroids do unfortunately make you much more at risk of developing type 2 diabetes and if you're experiencing steroid-related type 2 diabetes then you could be living with it for a good few years! (Most of us will be taking steroids for more than 3yrs.)
It can do a lot of damage if not 'managed'.
Diabetes caused by any circumstances needs to be addressed and monitored as it can still make you very poorly. If you don't know you have it in the first place you can't pre-empt any potential complications.
Obviously I don't know your full medical history or your rheumatologists strategies for treating you, but I do find it a little alarming that he's not checking your blood glucose levels knowing the increased risk that steroids bring.
It's their policy...I do have a Hba1c annual check coming up with the GP as I was pre diabetic about 10 years ago. But they won't do it more often- I asked.
That's a little more reassuring... particularly as you've been in the 'pre-diabetic' range without being on steroids. At least you are being monitored annually.
Don’t forget that CRP can be caused by a lot of things. I would simply ask for that to be tested again when you get back from hols. In the meantime please enjoy your holiday and if you think you are drinking too much cut it down
Thanks, white cell count was 15 which he didn't comment on but Google says that's quite high too.I have go for a repeat set of bloods ASAP. Well that won't be till we get back now!
Hi Broseley, What I have taken from your initial post is something really positive, you are not in denial about your drinking.I don't know how much of a problem this is for you but your concern about it showing up in blood tests and some of your other comments suggests it is not a minor worry.
I am more like Kendrew and now find even one sip of a glass of wine and I feel dizzy and unwell so I just don't bother, possibly a glass of champagne at Christmas and that is my limit.
If I am over thinking the rest of this post please just ignore it but I promise you It is written with concern.
I have been married for 41 years, when I met him my husband was a pilot, flying sea kings in the Royal Navy. At the time the RN and other services were known for the hard drinking culture. At the time I just thought of him as incredibly sociable and good fun.
By our 11th wedding anniversary it was obvious to me It was a huge problem.
I won't go into the details of this but will say it was prolonged, devastating and has left me permanently emotionally damaged and also affected our children.
He stopped drinking in May 2016, the details surrounding this were traumatic for me and my children, especially my daughter who had to manage an excruciating situation.
I was finally diagnosed with PMR in May 2016 after 2 years of increasing pain and over 20 years of increasingly overwhelming and debilitating stress.
He has had one period of relapse but otherwise remains sober.
In all the time he was drinking and during the relapse he denied he had a problem. He has always refused to speak to me about it and still does, I think he is deeply ashamed.
He retired a few years ago and I can honestly say we have been happy in a way I didn't think could ever possible. Lockdown was in fact a godsend to us because it meant we had to bei in each other's company all the time. We walked about 5/6 miles every day and found we actually do really enjoy each other's company and dare I say it still love each other and can make each other happy and laugh.
However, I am not naive and know this is a forever problem and occasionally I do become distressed and overwhelmed with resentment and find it hard to forgive him. These feelings are not helpful and I do not share them with him.
The reason I have shared this with you is; he was always in denial, you are not and what ever level of drinking you have the way you mention it makes me think you are brave and honest.
I apologize profusely if I have read too much into your post.
I am always on alert in every situation regarding alcohol, it is always at the back of my mind.
So glad you got your boyfriend back after many years. And how kind of you to not humiliate him with his previous painful behavior. Enjoy these lovely years ahead. they are much deserved. He is a lucky man that you stayed.
Thank you yogabonnie, your few words are more important to me than you will know. I've been quite emotional all day, not in a sad way, but confused and a little tearful. Your words have helped ground me and keep my emotions and thought processes in harmony. Always a good thing.
Thanks for sharing this. I can't type on a bumpy road in a very bumpy car. I drank to relieve stress when I was a teacher. Red wine in the evening. It got up to a bottle a day. Since then less but its crept up again. It relaxes me and helps me sleep. I get very anxious in the early hours but since retiring I don't worry about lack of sleep. Till PMR came along and I have to get up early to take my pred.I'm so glad your OH is OK now. Make the most of your time left together and try not to think about the past.
If you’re going on holiday will you be drinking? If you open your results and they’re not good will that make you drink less? Maybe leave it til after. BUT if you won’t rest knowing you didn’t open it it could also ruin your holiday. I’d have to open it because it would constantly be on my mind. We all drink for different reasons. It doesn’t make you a bad person! Good luck and be strong!
Glad you opened it!! and happy the results are good. Are you worried about your liver? I was... for many years and then quit alcohol altogether...well except perhaps 2 glasses of wine a year now. But I found that if one is worried one is drinking too much ... one is.. and then it seems to become a constant battle as to how much, if, when. I never worry about eating too much lettuce I realized one day.. so if I was worried I drank too much I did. Even though no one remarked on it. It comes down to you. and how you feel. Always good to do the Dry January. or Dry May or Dry September every so often and see how it goes. ! Have fun on your weekend!!! Glad the results were good.
Try not to worry too much and enjoy your holiday. We recently had a short break in Northumberland and loved it. It’s a beautiful part of the country. We were based in Newbiggin-by-the-sea and did a lot of the touristy stuff, Alnwick Castle, Amble, Holy Island, Berwick on Tweed, angel of the north, Hadrians Wall - enjoy 🤗.
Sounds lovely. We went fir a country house hotel. Wonderful scenery to drive through yesterday but today is thick cloud and murk.There is no WiFi in the hotel except in reception so I apologise if I haven't responded to all your kind messages.
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