scared and need a listening hear

My heart goes out to you all.

I have been a heavy drinker for the past 11 yrs ignorant of the possible damage that I could be doing. I started having stomach pain and slight itching and I have been experiencing Fatigue on and off for many years. I had my  gallbladder removed 1 yr ago and  I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia this past spring. I wonder though if it may not be my liver. I plan on seeing a doctor after Feb1st (when my husbands insurance kicks in) Its scary to think of the possible outcome and the fact that I have probably done it to my self.  Can anyone tell me if blood test will definitly Identify liver damage? Also would the itching I'm experiencing be more severe? It's not all the time. Thanks for listening, hope to hear from you all. By the way I have not had a drink in 7 days  I don't ever plan on drinking again. I just hope God can forgive me for treating my body so badly.

                                                                         Lynn

Hi, Lynnman and welcome to the forum!  Congrats on not drinking for 7 days!  Both you and Mathman should be congratulated for the concern you are showing for your bodies BEFORE major damage occurs.  So many people (as you know if you've read many of the posts here) stop drinking too late or not at all--even though it is literally killing them.

When doing blood work, if you ask the doctor for a liver panel to be done, then you should find out if there is any present damage.  If there is, most likely some or all of the liver enzymes will be elevated.  Cirrhosis is determined by liver biopsy.

Lynnman, the itching you are having is likely dry skin or an allergy.  In liver disease, it generally doesn't occur until end-stage.  It is a result of the liver not being able to process bile salts.

When you see your doctor in Feb., be honest about your drinking.  Get a physical exam and ask for a liver panel in addition to the usual CBC and urinalysis.  If you think you will have a problem staying stopped from drinking alcohol, look into AA.  I drank heavily for over 20 yrs.  What happened in my case is that it caused a bone condition known as osteonecrosis, where the large joints literally die and disintegrate.  I've had to have bilateral hip replacements and 3 revisions.  So alcohol abuse can cause problems to the body other than to the liver.

Good luck and please let us know the outcome of your doctor visit!

Hugs,

Connie

Thanks worriedgirl,

I'm sorry about your mom, and I will read your post on her. It's wonderful that you are using your experience to help others. Thanks for that. I have already taken steps to take better care of myself. I have stopped drinking, and I have been eating more fruits veggies, and I started taking vitamines. Its funny, I never considered myself an Alcoholic, just enjoyed drinking 4 or 5 beers every other night. I have since learned through all of my research that I am definetly one. I guess, I have a dear childhood friend to thank for even questioning my drinking, because I learned that she died of cirrhosis of the liver. I had moved away and had not seen her in about 10 yrs. We just lost contact. I did not find out that she had died until she had been gone for 1 year. It really it me hard and I started researching cirrhosis and what I have learned has scared me to death. I was ignorant as to what Alcohol can do to your body. I never even considered what I could be doing to my liver. I did always worry about becoming an Alcoholic though. It's funny how you can convince yourself that you don't have a problem. Thanks for the encouragement it's greatly appreciated.

Lynn

Connie,

Thank you for the information. It does give me a little relief of anxiety. I will be completely honest with my doctor. I really have dertermined that I am not going to drink anymore. Life is to precious to just throw it away. I really want you to know how much you are helping people with all of your counsel. I have read so many of the threads and it is heart warming to me to see that there is a place for people who are dealing with such a horrible illiness like hepititus. I pray that my situation turns out ok, but if not I know that I have a place to come and to be comforted and hopefully give comfort. I will let you know how things turn out. Thanks again

Lynn

Lynnman said...

Thanks worriedgirl,

I'm sorry about your mom, and I will read your post on her. It's wonderful that you are using your experience to help others. Thanks for that. I have already taken steps to take better care of myself. I have stopped drinking, and I have been eating more fruits veggies, and I started taking vitamines. Its funny, I never considered myself an Alcoholic, just enjoyed drinking 4 or 5 beers every other night. I have since learned through all of my research that I am definetly one. I guess, I have a dear childhood friend to thank for even questioning my drinking, because I learned that she died of cirrhosis of the liver. I had moved away and had not seen her in about 10 yrs. We just lost contact. I did not find out that she had died until she had been gone for 1 year. It really it me hard and I started researching cirrhosis and what I have learned has scared me to death. I was ignorant as to what Alcohol can do to your body. I never even considered what I could be doing to my liver. I did always worry about becoming an Alcoholic though. It's funny how you can convince yourself that you don't have a problem. Thanks for the encouragement it's greatly appreciated.

Lynn

and INR.  People with liver problems bruise easily and have a tendency to bleed. I don't want to overwhelm you w/ to much info, But, I'll try and answer whatever question you have. So advise ---stop drinking and get complete bloodwork. I wish I had. Oh, I never had the transplant, alot of meds (cellcept, and diet brought my meld down to 8! Good luck to you!