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Alcohol support
Liver Tests And ARLD.
BraveFaceScaredInside · 12/03/2022 14:00
After having raised Serum ALT for a few years an ultrasound showed a fatty liver.
Fast forward a few years then not only was that raised but Serum Gamma GT was also raised.
A fibroscan earlier this month has shown I now have significant fibrosis.
Just wondering if anyone else is in a similar situation?
Backwards31 · 12/03/2022 17:02
Hi I'm sorry to hear about your news. I don't have the same although I am just too afraid to go to the doctor. I did have a very swollen liver on a CT I had done nearly two years ago. I'm 75 days alcohol free so hoping for a miracle at this stage. I just had really bad pains in my liver area. I'm too afraid to get anymore testing although I will have to bite the bullet at some stage. My mum has fibrosis on the lungs so I am familiar with fibrosis itself just not on the liver. Your best course of action now is to completely stop drinking. I also watch a lot of youtube videos and there have been people with cirrhosis and fibrosis that have completely changed their lives around and eaten healthy and taken vitamins and are doing exceptionally well. I'm sorry i can't help I hope someone comes along to help. Did you have any symptoms before your fibroscan
BraveFaceScaredInside · 12/03/2022 18:46
Hey, well done on being 75 days AF :)
I let the news sink in, reduced alcohol massively over 12 days and have now been AF for 22 days.
As well as cutting out Alcohol I've been taking Milk Thistle capsules from Holland and Barrett. I'm hoping they help.
Other than pains in my liver area I have had no definite other symptoms..
I have an appointment at the Liver Clinic the end of the month, and all I have been told so far is they do more in depth Bloods. I don't know if there are any meds they can offer.
Didn't they want to follow up on the swollen liver after the CT?
Nothingsfine · 12/03/2022 22:05
I don't have ARLD but I can tell you from the vast amount of reading into it that I've done that even if you get to the point you are at, you absolutely can turn things around. Stopping drinking is obviously key, but you will also need to follow a certain type of diet based on how badly your liver is damaged. Hopefully seeing a hepatologist/liver nurse will help and they should also refer you to a dietitian who can advise on the right foods to eat, those to avoid, the levels of exercise that will help you to stay active etc.
The biggest indicator of success is the fact you've stopped drinking, so do remind yourself how well you've done and keep it up. Good luck
BraveFaceScaredInside · 25/03/2022 19:27
Still AF, think knowing how bad my liver is has been the major factor!! So sad it had to come to this to lay off the booze.
Also reminding myself on behaviours when being pissed has been an eye opener. Things I brushed off or ignored.
Thinking 14 units a week was ridiculous.
Flirting with any tom, dick or harry when out.
Finding bruises and not knowing how they happened.
Complete blackouts of evenings
Falling asleep on the sofa virtually every night.
Leaving back door wide open all night while on sofa.
Spending near on £50 a week on wine/cava.
Going apeshit to DH for silly things.
Unable to get up before 11.30am
So many more, these are just right of the top of my head.
I consider myself very very lucky DH has been there with me and not upped and left.
The danger I put myself in is crazy.
Just rambling, hopefully if others read this, any shame they feel over similar things may be lessened.
Onwards and Upwards.
SAB10 · 28/03/2022 09:41
Hi OP!
Have you had your liver clinic appointment yet?
I went to my GP just over a week ago and was sent for bloods, as a result of which I ended up being sent to hospital for further tests etc. I have another appointment with a specialist tomorrow but so far it looks likely to be alcoholic hepatitis.
If you haven't been for your appointment yet, you'll probably get various blood tests done, possibly be put on a drip for a while (just antibiotics and saline for me) and have an ultrasound to check the extent of scarring. I have no idea what the follow up will be for me tomorrow. So far I've been put on spiranolactone for water retention/mild ascites and thiamine to help with brain function.
The bloods were also really helpful for me as they identified a couple of other issues I wasn't aware of. Due to my liver health I have a poor immune system, meaning I'm vulnerable to other things - I have IGAS (where the infection that causes strep throat gets into the bloodstream and internal organs - very unusual and can be life threatening...) and anemia. So I'm on meds for those as well.
As you'll be going in already not drinking you won't need librium etc. I was the same and had stopped about three weeks prior to forcing myself to go to the GP. Exactly one month AF today!
Good luck! I will admit I was bloody terrified and did the classic 'head in the sand' thing for a long time before actually having it seen to. And it is really horrible being told that yes, you have fucked your liver quite badly! But I feel so relieved that I'm actually addressing the issue and getting proper medical treatment at last.
Happy to chat any time you want a 'recovery buddy', haha 
BraveFaceScaredInside · 28/03/2022 11:04
@SAB10 well done on one month
Sorry to hear your liver results. Hits hard doesn't it.
My appointment with the liver clinic is this thursday.
I have had a lot of bloods done at the GPs due to meds im taking for mental health problems, and most of those are ok. I have vitamin B12 injections every 3 weeks, but that deficiency has been ongoing since 2004.
The fibroscan I had Feb the 7th showed significant fibrosis bordering on cirrhosis, so a lot of scarring.
I have sent emails asking if I can have another fibroscan when I go in thursday, but haven't had a proper reply as of yet, and I was supposed to be on a list to get calls on a thursday from a volunteer who has been through all of this but had no calls. I feel lost in an ocean at the moment. Told I had fucked my liver up then left hanging. But also well aware I can hardly moan as it is self inflicted!! 7 weeks of nothing.
If it is alcoholic hepatis you have is that something that can reverse? Like inflammation? Or is it also scarring. Fingers crossed for you for tomorrow that it is something reversable. Can I ask what your drinking was like?
Very happy to have a 'recovery buddy'
Fireflygal · 28/03/2022 11:09
Well done on bring AF. If you haven't joined it yet, looked up the liver trust. They have a helpline.
The liver is an amazing organ and can regenerate if the damage isn't too far progressed. You seem to be one stage behind cirrhosis so that's positive.
SAB10 · 28/03/2022 12:56
Hey
If it's alcoholic hepatitis for me then the damage can be largely reversed so long as I don't drink again, ever. Which initially sounded terrifying but I actually think it's doable - I don't seem to have any desire to drink. Aware it's early days though! I do have some scarring but not cirrhosis level apparently (similar to you from the sounds of it?), so my liver should be capable of functioning normally so long as I treat it very kindly!
Other than not drinking and the milk thistle, have you changed your diet at all? I read up on this loads initially and have cut/drastically reduced fat, salt and refined sugar as they all apparently put a strain on your liver. I LOVE salty stuff/soy sauce/marmite etc. so it's been hard, ha. But it makes me feel at least like I'm doing something while I'm waiting for further tests!
My drinking beforehand was pretty bad. Before I met my husband I was, I would say, a social binge drinker. Then I met him and he was (and still is) alcohol dependant - not sure if that's the right term but basically he needs to drink every few hours or he gets withdrawals. So I kind of slipped into that as well. Wasn't so bad pre-COVID but when lockdown hit and I was WFH it was all too easy to have a can with him in the morning and on my lunch break then all evening (that sounds terrible written down). I'd say I was drinking around 6 pints' worth of cider per day and that's been the pattern for the last two years...
I'll let you know what happens in my appointment tomorrow .
BraveFaceScaredInside · 28/03/2022 15:42
I'd been a social binge drinker for a long time and then in the last 5ish years daily drinking on and off. The last couple of years has seen me drink between half a bottle of wine to 2.5 bottles a night. Last november I cut down to just drinking fri - sun nights, (still downing about 6 bottles during those days)
Have you had a normal scan and a fibroscan? The fibroscan gives an exact measurement of stiffness. Will be thinking of you tomorrow!
I haven't really changed my diet yet, I know I may have to, I just need to get my head around so much going on in life at the moment I'm struggling to add to my mental list.
My mum is terminally ill and the last few weeks have been a rollercoaster of visiting her, sorting her meds out, doing her housework, taking her dog who is old to the vets on and off, and various other family related things.
So although it's not ideal the diet will have to wait for a while.
BraveFaceScaredInside · 28/03/2022 15:43
@Fireflygal
The liver is an amazing organ and can regenerate if the damage isn't too far progressed. You seem to be one stage behind cirrhosis so that's positive.
Thank you for the info :)
SAB10 · 29/03/2022 18:35
@BraveFaceScaredInside just thought I'd let you know what happened at the appointment. Had more bloods and prescribed more diuretics as my ankles are swelling quite badly (not attractive...). I'm booked in for a fibro scan in a few weeks - at the moment the hepatitis is causing my liver to be inflamed and they couldn't accurately tell how much scarring/stiffness there is until that goes down.
I'm so so sorry to hear about your mum - sounds like an awful lot for you to cope with at the moment. Definitely take things one step at a time - it's impressive enough that you've managed to stay sober through everything! x
BraveFaceScaredInside · 29/03/2022 19:49
@SAB10 Hopefully when the inflammation from hepatitis goes the fibroscan results wont be to bad. Heres hoping
Been another busy day helping mum, but the doctor and hospice nurses are now getting the district nurses involved so that should ease some things.
Had to have a chest xray yesterday due to pain in my sternum, and the gp rang today my sternum is fine but it looks like my heart may be enlarged!!! Ffs one thing after another. I asked if it could be down to drinking and she isnt sure but im to be referred for an echo. It never rains.
How do you find coping AF with hubby still drinking?
BraveFaceScaredInside · 30/03/2022 19:03
Damn, liver clinic in the morning cancelled as the Consultant is off sick. Got to wait for another appointment :/
SAB10 · 31/03/2022 13:11
@BraveFaceScaredInside
Awww no! Such a nightmare, especially when you've been building up to it mentally
.That's interesting re your heart (obviously hope it's nothing serious!) - I have been getting chest pains recently but had a chest xray at my first appointment so am assuming it's not a heart issue... I do have an enlarged spleen which is apparently likely to be due to the drinking (wtf have we done to our poor bodies haha!).
I'm not too bothered by DH still drinking in the sense that it's not making me want to at all - having struggled with giving up previously I've been really surprised at how easy I'm finding it so far this time. Even spent a glorious sunny day in the park with friends all drinking cider or cava and was perfectly happy with my water! I suppose it's the shock of being told the actual reality of the situation, but long may it last!
If anything DH drinking has put me off even more - seeing how much just a few cans affects him (slurring, repeating himself, booze breath etc.) makes me more determined to stay AF. I'm hopeful it might eventually make him cut down - fingers crossed! Does your DH not drink?
BraveFaceScaredInside · 01/04/2022 16:35
Mum grew her wings today, so so could of came home and drank, mum was so proud of me for giving up the booze I poured a chiiled glass of mexican lime soda and toasted her with that.
DH has never really enjoyed alcohol so has happily gave it up with me.
Just wanted to reply to you
RedDiamond · 02/04/2022 09:08
@BraveFaceScaredInside {flowers} I am so sorry for your loss.
SAB10 · 03/04/2022 20:21
Oh no, @BraveFaceScaredInside, I am so very sorry. I'm sure your mum would be so proud of you. I'm glad you have your husband to support you too, he sounds like a good egg. Hugs x
BraveFaceScaredInside · 04/04/2022 11:44
Thank you. Lots to do so at least im busy x
BraveFaceScaredInside · 09/04/2022 09:48
50 days AF today :)
Got a new appointment with the liver clinic. April 28th.
At least any bloods or tests they do will hopefully improving. How are you @SAB10
Candleabra · 09/04/2022 10:05
Well done @BraveFaceScaredInside 50 days is massive.
Very sorry about your mum x
SAB10 · 12/04/2022 14:40
@BraveFaceScaredInside
Got a new appointment with the liver clinic. April 28th.
At least any bloods or tests they do will hopefully improving. How are you *@SAB10*
50 days! Massive well done to you, particularly with everything you've been through recently. I'm coming up to that milestone too so high five haha.
Glad they got you an appointment. I'm still having weekly bloods and everything is going in the right direction - slower than I'd like, but still steadily! Plus I've had several people (who don't know about the issues...) mention that I've lost weight and am looking well - it may be shallow but that has given me a bit of a boost.
How are things otherwise?
BraveFaceScaredInside · 12/04/2022 17:36
Thank you @Candleabra
Hive five @SAB10
Glad things are slowly improving for you, and heck that isn't shallow at all I have also lost weight and appreciate nice comments :)
Things are ok otherwise, just plodding through stuff keeping myself busy.
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