I'm 39 and worry I have alcoholic cirrhososis

I was ill and pail for about a month, could move much. I started to feel a bit better went to the doctors and said I had an alcohol issue. He did an LFT which came back as normal.

I then went back to work for about a month. I was also cycling 20milers(slowly) After a month in work I started to have doubts as there was still some pain which was later diagnosed as gastritis, then my gall bladder started playing up aching slightly and my stools were intermittently yellow, it was also making noises like it wasn't filling properly or something.

Im now nearly 10 weeks after that stupid binge and still don't have much strength, still feel aches and am thirsty for water a lot. Im staying indoors and not wanting to talk to people, I know I stressed myself looking online at peoples storys etc, but im sure I messed myself up. I keep going to the doctors and telling them I think I have cirrhosis, they keep telling me I don't an point to the LFT and they physically examined me. Im trying to get an ultra sound, im scared so much. But if I do have a serious issue I have to plan for end of life I guess, never thought I would be thinking this at 39 years old, its so surreal. my mind is doing me no favours I guess, im regretting every drink now, now I know I was an alcoholic, I thought it normal to drink 2/3 times a week. I thought aslong as I don't drink in the mornings and every day im fine. what a wasted decade it was.

praying to god for help

ralph

thanks for a response, im not so sure its a small amount of damage.
The heavy week end took it out of me, i have usually drank more than the 21 units a week for 10 years, 30-40 units. My memory has been getting bad for atleast 5 years, H.E? Im also really tired too. also I have gastritis probably had it for 5 years.

Also how reliable are the LFTs? im reading alot of people having issues when nothing shows on the LFT.

Ralph

doctors arent convinced there is anything wrong, i have no intention of drinking again.

I have an ultra sound tomorrow, i have had to pay myself otherwise an 8 week wait. Im scared what will show up, but i need to know i guess.

ralph

You have a great start don't drink. Drink water if your thirsty some times your body gets dehydrated, from fast food; restaurant food, or junk food.
Mine was called cryptogenic (unknown) ESLD and chrrosis . My time left was slim because of the damage. The LFTs were taken since I was very young and had a bout of hepatitis A. when I was 27 I had my gallbladder and appendix removed they were both infected . I ended up going to clinic in Scottsdale Arizona and didn't have to long to wait before I was listed on transplant. Five years later they took me off the list . They said I had been at the same level. My Meld Score was the same for to long. I have had this ailment ,I believe since before my gallbladder was removed. I have made arrangements. The doctors after all this time have not come up with a diagnosis. I truly do feel like cr** most of the time . I hope you have no more than a bit of an anxiety attack about the unknown. Please ask for a copy of your scan, and of you blood work. you can figure out your Meld Score using Bil., creat., INR., Good Luck! lavender (9years later)

Ralph,

Anxiety and Depression can be helped with shrinks and meds...there is help out there for coping...take advantage of it....sure you are scared. You got kicked in the butt and should be thanking whatever deity you pray to that you have the fortune to STOP THE MADNESS....IT IS IN YOUR CONTROL.

You are also recently sober....a complex set of feelings and physical changes occur. I recommend AA for that....lots of scared folks there. AND, if the worst comes to be, you will need documentation of 6 months of alcohol cessation program in order to be considered for transplant...the only REAL treatment for liver failure. Don't let a history of alcohol abuse stand in your way of the only treatment availalbe....start today. Get a paper calendar, go to meetings several times a week (preferably at the times you used to imbibe...a 7PM meeting sounds perfect), and share your anxiety with them...they know what you are going through.

My Mike finally woke up, but he was pretty far gone...resisted AA...then started going...MANY times a week. It worked more magic on his HEAD than his sobriety....of which I had no doubt...he quit smoking cold turkey, quit using cold turkey, and quit drinking cold turkey...you have to respect that! He is 4 years sober this past week...maybe I mentioned that already....it is a spectacular annivarsary.

Live, love, be as healthy as you can for as long as you can...that is the same for all of us.

Mama Lama

ralph, hopefully you are just more paranoid than really sick. However, the good of all of this is, you are probably in a good spot to make the needed changes in your life to save yourself for many years to come. I myself have learned a lot about life and how drinking isn't the solution to lifes problems...but rather THE problem.

Wish you all the best

Thanks for letting us know, ralph! Now get outside, exercise, eat healthy, and enjoy your life! Make all changes to have the very best quality you can muster. Happy for you :) Big Hugs,