Need some advice pleae (biospy)..long post

Hi everyone,
Need some advice please…I had a blood test last October (2012) due to my drinking with my GP as I was drinking very heavily for the last 2 years and I subsequently spent ten days in hospital due to my LFT levels being high and my blood clotting levels etc all being off because of my drinking. I was treated with vitamins like thiamine etc and whilst in hospital had numerous tests done: 2 x-rays, endoscopy which both came back clear and an ultra sound that showed I had an inflamed fatty liver due to alcohol.

When I first went into hospital before I had any of the tests the consultant said he suspected I would have cirrhosis of the liver due to my blood tests he then subsequently told me if I no longer drink at all I would be fine. Trying to cut a long story short… I have been an outpatient at the clinic since October (2012) had a check up in December after two months sober and the same consultant told me my blood tests results were massively improved and LFTs coming down.

Today I have been for another check up after 6 and a half months sober and he told me my blood results were normal. Now here comes the part where I could do with some advice if anybody has any……. Today he was extremely pleased and told me my blood results were all normal and nothing to worry about and he stopped the supplements I was taking and said he would see me in six months time for a check up (no need to worry if I don't drink il be fine). I am the type of person who worries immensely and I asked him is there any way this could go any worse and cutting a long story short he said as long as I no longer drink any alcohol I will be fine and blood results will stay normal now as they have come down so fast.

He said he would see me in six months time for check up and then it would be a year after that. He said because of what i was hospitalised with he could not discharge me completely without a biopsy to rule out cirrhosis. When I asked what would he recommend I do he said he wouldn’t recommend a biopsy either way and that although he thought that I had cirrhosis when I first came into hospital he now believes my liver was just very inflamed (it no longer is and my bloods are normal) and it may well not be cirrhosis. When I asked what would happen if it was chirrhosis he said that if it turned out to be so he wouldn’t be able to discharge me and I would need to have a yearly check up (which is what I will be currently having anyway even if I don’t have cirrhosis) to check for things like cancer etc later on years down the line. He also said that was not a concern because of my age (I have just turned 27).

I told him that I don’t want a biopsy right because I don’t feel like it would benefit me to know and don’t mind having a yearly check up. He said that’s absolutely fine, if you don’t mind seeing me once a year. I have no intention of drinking again, I have scared myself to death with this and I am finally in a place where I have never felt better mentally or physically and more at peace thank the lord.

the advice I need is: if he said he doesn’t recommend a biopsy either way and that if I want to be discharged completely I need the biopsy to rule out chirrhosis and I continue on my path of sobriety with a yearly check up, does anybody recommend that I should have it for any other reason than being discharged?
Many Thanks again any advice greatly appreciated and I hope everyone is doing well and sorry again for the long post.

Hayley

Many thanks for your reply I really appreciate it. I am now 6 and half months sober and have no intention of ever drinking again I don't have the disposition to cope with the aftermath. The consultant said that he wouldn't recommend one but that I could have it if I wanted to be discharged. I think I will opt for one eventually but he is confident that as long as I abstain I will be fine and he said he believes everything will return to normal (which it seems to be doing thank the lord). I think I will stick to another check up in six months and then maybe re evaluate it. If he said he would advise me to have one I would do it as I am now able to face things sober I never thought I would be able to cope with. I think im too early into my sobriety to deal with the worry of a biopsy and the "cirrhosis" term right now, I am a worrier by nature and was aware of out of hand that my drinking had got but couldn't face up to it to stay sober (and so the cycle continued). I now realise how serious this is for me I feel like I have been granted a second chance and I don't want anything to throw me off course, he seemed happy for me to leave it and said that if I didn't mind seeing the consultant once a year then that was fine.

Many thanks again... best wishes to everyone!

Thanks for your reply. I think I will have it after my next check up. The consultant told me he wasn't concerned and I had no reason to worry as long as I don't drink. He implied the biopsy was necessary only if I didn't want the annual check up as he believes everything will return to normal with no permanent damage. The fact that he and the other consultant said they are not concerned and my tests/ blood work has come back good and I am on no supplements or medication makes me think that id rather stick to my check ups for now. I will take on board what you said and thanks again for the reply... my head feels like its going to explode after analysing everything today, going to go for a walk and get a cup of tea.

Best wishes

Many thanks for your reply Carol, I am aware of my need to have my guard up at all times and be vigilant about possible triggers, I have done and will continue to avoid such things and places. Luckily, I have a very supportive family. My parents both drank every night although not heavily for 35 years and my dad and mother stopped drinking aged 58 three years ago and have not had a drink since so I feel like I am in a lucky position where none of my family drinks anymore which makes it easier.

Best wishes