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AMA
Original poster

I have cirrhosis. AMA!

142 replies

Ohdearnamechange · 28/01/2023 13:32

Hi! I have cirrhosis. It's basically end stage so I have a couple of years - unfortunately they caught it a bit late for anything to be done for it.

Just closing off some possible questions - no I haven't drunk more than most people I know. People's bodies react differently apparently. There has been a strong element of self medication/self destructiveness which is quite hard to explain to people (I also have BPD and PTSD). I feel massive guilt that I'm putting my family through this, and would really like to give any support or advice to anyone who has worries - so many people don't seek help until it's too late.

OP posts:
ValerieDoonican · 28/01/2023 17:58

I think a lot of people (perhaps especially blokes) can drink 6-8 drinks regularly and not realise itstoo much.

I am not sure how OP is dwyfining 'one drink' but I would say a largish can of lager would count as 2 drinks (1 can might be 2.5 or even 3 units, for eg) and I don't think 3-4 cans of lager nightly would strike everyone as excessive, even though it clearly is.

Cannottryasp00 · 28/01/2023 18:02

6-8 drinks a day is a lot but also depends on what the drinks consist of .
I worked on a medical ward with patients who had cirrhosis and their intake was generally 1-2 bottles of spirits a day for many years . Am not saying this to minimalise the problem with alcohol but it shows that people have different tolerance levels to alcohol. Low food intake does appear to contribute to the problem.
What were the meds you were taking that you think contributed to the diagnosis?
Just to say as well that a friends father was diagnosed with cirrhosis over 10 years ago and he is alive and kicking and enjoying life 💐

ValerieDoonican · 28/01/2023 18:03

And OP I am sorry you are in this situation and wish you the best Flowers

IClaudine · 28/01/2023 18:04

By 6-8 drinks do you mean 6-8 units? Or were you drinking more than that? The reason I ask is that 6 units is just over half a bottle of wine, which I think a lot of people would think was OK (though is classed as a "binge").

IClaudine · 28/01/2023 18:08

Also, sorry you are going through this. I think it is very easy to slip from drinking moderately to something a lot more damaging.

kittensinthekitchen · 28/01/2023 18:13

ValerieDoonican · 28/01/2023 17:58

I think a lot of people (perhaps especially blokes) can drink 6-8 drinks regularly and not realise itstoo much.

I am not sure how OP is dwyfining 'one drink' but I would say a largish can of lager would count as 2 drinks (1 can might be 2.5 or even 3 units, for eg) and I don't think 3-4 cans of lager nightly would strike everyone as excessive, even though it clearly is.

3 or 4 cans of lager is absolutely too much to drink every night.

Despite so much information out there, some people have still not got that message - what do you think would help to educate people on that? Who do you think should take responsibility for that?

BernieWinters · 28/01/2023 18:17

Can you clarify what you mean by 6-8 drinks a day? There is a big difference between 8 large glasses of wine and 6 small ones/ 6 single gin and tonics and 8 doubles

Original poster
Ohdearnamechange · 28/01/2023 18:18

Georgyporky · 28/01/2023 17:58

@Ohdearnamechange Thank you for this post. I sincerely hope that the outcome is better than you expect.

A very close family member has cirrhosis, diagnosed nearly 3 years ago. He has oesophagal varicle bleeds, regular checks, & meds.
He still drinks, but not as much as before.
He says that no Dr has ever told him to stop drinking. I've never seen his hospital Drs, & our mutual GP refuses to discuss him with me.
My instinct is that he should stop altogether, but perhaps I'm wrong.

Can I ask what you have been told, please?

I'm really sorry but your family member is lying to you (and themselves). If you have cirrhosis that's it, you can't touch another drop. Again, sorry but I have personal experience of people very close to me saying much the same. If you get to that stage there's no going back

OP posts:
Original poster
Ohdearnamechange · 28/01/2023 18:22

kittensinthekitchen · 28/01/2023 18:13

3 or 4 cans of lager is absolutely too much to drink every night.

Despite so much information out there, some people have still not got that message - what do you think would help to educate people on that? Who do you think should take responsibility for that?

Show quote history

People themselves should! I blame nobody but me. I just feel that there's an alcohol culture that everyone is ignoring. Maybe it's more prevalent in my family/immediate social group (we're travellers) but I certainly see a lot of it in my broader social group which is largely made up of professionals

OP posts:
AlmondBake · 28/01/2023 18:23

Do you mean 6-8 drinks or 6-8 units op?

IClaudine · 28/01/2023 18:25

Despite so much information out there, some people have still not got that message - what do you think would help to educate people on that? Who do you think should take responsibility for that?

I know this was not aimed at me, but alcohol is addictive, just like other drugs. Some people get hooked on it, even though they know the dangers. Plus, unlike other drugs, it is normalised (particularly through films, TV etc) and advertised all over the place.

Original poster
Ohdearnamechange · 28/01/2023 18:25

MermaidEyes · 28/01/2023 17:57

Do you have a husband or partner and children? Where are the people in your social circle now? If they're still drinking heavily how does that make you feel now you're not drinking?

I have a husband. He has unfortunately been diagnosed with cirrhosis too. He has no symptoms at all - he only went for a liver function test because of my diagnosis.

No kids.

OP posts:
Original poster
Ohdearnamechange · 28/01/2023 18:28

AlmondBake · 28/01/2023 18:23

Do you mean 6-8 drinks or 6-8 units op?

6-8 drinks. Ciders. I'm really not trying to minimise how much I was drinking, I only really made this post because a lot of other people don't realise how much they've slipped into drinking

OP posts:
BeetlesForever · 28/01/2023 18:29

For anyone struggling or knowing someone who struggles with alcohol...

Try Nancy Grace - This Naked Mind
And William Porter

On YouTube.

Also William Porter's book Alcohol Explained.

kittensinthekitchen · 28/01/2023 18:32

IClaudine · 28/01/2023 18:25

Despite so much information out there, some people have still not got that message - what do you think would help to educate people on that? Who do you think should take responsibility for that?

I know this was not aimed at me, but alcohol is addictive, just like other drugs. Some people get hooked on it, even though they know the dangers. Plus, unlike other drugs, it is normalised (particularly through films, TV etc) and advertised all over the place.

I'm a smoker. I am aware of knowing risks and getting addicted anyway.

But my question was more about those who maintain that "Oh, it's an acceptable level to drink" or "3-4 cans a night wouldn't seem excessive to anyone" (paraphrasing obviously). How do we get through to those people?

kittensinthekitchen · 28/01/2023 18:33

Ohdearnamechange · 28/01/2023 18:25

I have a husband. He has unfortunately been diagnosed with cirrhosis too. He has no symptoms at all - he only went for a liver function test because of my diagnosis.

No kids.

Show quote history

I'm so sorry he is facing the same diagnosis Sad Has he been given the same prognosis?

How does your condition affect you on a day to day level? Are you still working? (Sorry, I haven't looked up what end stage cirrhosis looks like)

Original poster
Ohdearnamechange · 28/01/2023 18:39

kittensinthekitchen · 28/01/2023 18:33

I'm so sorry he is facing the same diagnosis Sad Has he been given the same prognosis?

How does your condition affect you on a day to day level? Are you still working? (Sorry, I haven't looked up what end stage cirrhosis looks like)

Show quote history

It doesn't really affect me, it's just the bleeding and the ascites (bloating) which I have meds for. That's why they won't put me on the transplant list so it's a bit of a double ended sword - if you're not affected day to day they won't do anything really.

He has the same prognosis yes. At least it means we're going through it together and being sober together!

OP posts:
AzureOrchid · 28/01/2023 18:40

Were you drinking 8 cans of cider every night of the week ?

Original poster
Ohdearnamechange · 28/01/2023 18:41

kittensinthekitchen · 28/01/2023 18:32

I'm a smoker. I am aware of knowing risks and getting addicted anyway.

But my question was more about those who maintain that "Oh, it's an acceptable level to drink" or "3-4 cans a night wouldn't seem excessive to anyone" (paraphrasing obviously). How do we get through to those people?

Show quote history

I don't know is the honest answer! I have been open and honest with people but I don't know anyone (bar my husband) who has gone to get tested as a result.

OP posts:
IClaudine · 28/01/2023 18:44

kittensinthekitchen · 28/01/2023 18:32

I'm a smoker. I am aware of knowing risks and getting addicted anyway.

But my question was more about those who maintain that "Oh, it's an acceptable level to drink" or "3-4 cans a night wouldn't seem excessive to anyone" (paraphrasing obviously). How do we get through to those people?

Show quote history

I don't know. So many of us are addicted to a greater or lesser degree to something, drink, cigarettes, food, drugs (including prescription drugs), spending. Maybe the question should be what is it about modern life that there is so much self medication going on?

Anyway, that is a whole other thread. OP sorry that your husband is going through this too. Do you think you enabled each other with the drinking?

Original poster
Ohdearnamechange · 28/01/2023 18:45

AzureOrchid · 28/01/2023 18:40

Were you drinking 8 cans of cider every night of the week ?

Yep.

OP posts:
AzureOrchid · 28/01/2023 18:48

Did you just go cold turkey after your diagnosis ?
If so , how hard did you find it ?

IClaudine · 28/01/2023 18:51

BeetlesForever · 28/01/2023 18:29

For anyone struggling or knowing someone who struggles with alcohol...

Try Nancy Grace - This Naked Mind
And William Porter

On YouTube.

Also William Porter's book Alcohol Explained.

There are also some helpful threads over in the Health topic.

Original poster
Ohdearnamechange · 28/01/2023 18:53

AzureOrchid · 28/01/2023 18:48

Did you just go cold turkey after your diagnosis ?
If so , how hard did you find it ?

I did. It was fine as I'd been cutting down previously. However I have been hospitalised with seizures and been given Librium previously - a lot of people don't realise that alcohol withdrawals can be life threatening

OP posts:
AlmondBake · 28/01/2023 18:53

8 cans of cider at say 2.5 units per can is 20 units a night. Or 140 units a week. Is that right?

I'm so sorry op that you were in an environment where that was seen as the norm.