Liver Tests And ARLD.

[BraveFaceScaredInside]

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?

[Mamabear12]

Ah yes, then it was the coffee. It is good you lowered it after stopping the coffee. Keep us updated on how the scan goes for you.

[LiverWorry]

3 years...for the most part with a few little blips which taught me that moderation does not work! I had my blood pressure retested after cutting back on caffeine and it was back to normal!

[Mamabear12]

How long have you been doing no drinking? For some it raises the first few days or more when you stop drinking as you detox and then it goes down. But yea, coffee does raise bp. Beets and rocket leaves are good for BP 😀

[LiverWorry]

@Mamabear12

Did a quick search and saw the foods you listed mentioned to help heal the liver and coffee was number 1! So strange! I wonder why.

I've cobbled the list together from various recommended diets online, however, medical websites are quick to point out that there is not definitive proof of the likes of Milk Thistle etc having any effect. However, coffee (and to a lesser degree, tea) seems to be something they all agree on! Problem for me was that my blood pressure has been stable my entire life but shot through the roof as I overdid the coffee!

[Mamabear12]

Did a quick search and saw the foods you listed mentioned to help heal the liver and coffee was number 1! So strange! I wonder why.

[Mamabear12]

Really? Why is coffee supposed to be good? I thought it made liver work bc it had to process it? Just curious, if you got the liver diet from a doctor or a book? I did read about someone who had success w a special liver diet. It was given by his doctor though. It was on Reddit i think. So, if this diet is similar it could possibly work. I remember something about proteins helping to rebuild the liver. But not sure what foods needed to be avoided, except the obvious bad for you processed foods.

[LiverWorry]

This is what I've been following but time will tell if it's been enough!

NO or very little saturated fats (I get fats from fatty fish). Lots of non starchy vegetables like sprouts, broccoli and green cabbage. Grapefruit, beetroot, grapes. Lots of whole grains. Hardly any simple carbs and hardly any sugar and no salt. Don't eat processed food. Minimal red meat (because I do love steak). Was drinking lots of coffee which is meant to be the best but had to cut it down a bit because it raised my blood pressure. Tea is okay as well.

[Mamabear12]

@LiverWorry what is your healthy liver diet? Please share more information.

[LiverWorry]

Following this with interest. I have hammered my liver over the years and gave up drinking in 2019 (with sadly some blips along the way where I thought I could moderate - I definitely can't).

Even so, liver pains have continued. My bloods were only ever so slightly raised so I asked for an ultrasound. This has shown "fatty liver" and I told the GP I'd really like a scan to put my mind at rest and am just awaiting a date. Previously I've had a lump in my breast (luckily benign) and cancerous cervical cells (dealt with) but I utterly took those in my stride - not even a sleepless night. I've never felt anxiety and worry at all like I do now. I think it's because any damage I might have done has been utterly self-inflicted and it's making me sick with worry. There's nothing I can do until my scan other than what I am doing - the healthy liver diet/milk thistle and obviously no alcohol. I don't think non-alcoholics would ever understand that there's no such thing as a happy addict but I still feel so guilty.

@BraveFaceScaredInside I wish you ALL the best wishes in the world and I hope that my outcome is as positive as yours. Please be careful with the moderation. Given the fact that I accept that I am an alcoholic in recovery I know that it would never work for me.

[Mamabear12]

Please do ask your GP and let us know what they say. Pleased for you about your recovery. Well done!

[BraveFaceScaredInside]

@Mamabear12

Just curious if you asked the doctor if it was okay to drink occasionally like for special events? Like is liver back to normal completely or could it be damaged more easily then a normal healthy liver?

I have been completely passed back to my gp, the letter I received from the clinic was very basic, I have took a snip of the letter and will try to add it.

All I have had is a text from my gp saying 'well done and keep up the good work'!! It is a very good question that I need answered tbh.

[Mamabear12]

Just curious if you asked the doctor if it was okay to drink occasionally like for special events? Like is liver back to normal completely or could it be damaged more easily then a normal healthy liver?

[userxx]

@BraveFaceScaredInside Excellent news, that reset button has been pushed 👍.

[BraveFaceScaredInside]

Nearly 4 weeks since I last posted.

Decided to give moderation a try. So far so good

Have had a holiday abroad, been to a wedding and evening do, had my birthday and been to a nephews 40th. Can count on one hand the separate occasions I have had alcohol, and never had more than 2 drinks each occasion. (That isn't a hard and fast rule, just the way it has turn't out)

Making sure it's well thought out before I have a drink, and drinking 'for the right reasons'. I am also making sure I haven't bought alcohol to have at home, and this is working for me at the moment.

Fingers crossed the break I had has reset my attitude (as well as my liver) and this can be the new me

[Mybestyear]

@BraveFaceScaredInside - thanks. Got occ health review in just over a week. I hate my job but the money is v good and I have a lot of flexibility so ideally I would sweat it out for another two years til mortgage paid off then early retirement/ get some part time work. Fingers crossed 🤞. Now 8 minutes into day 19 but the best part is no cravings! 🤞💪❤️

[BraveFaceScaredInside]

@Mybestyear Thank you for the link, I have gave it a read. Maybe inflammation overestimated my staging, quite possible. Either way just thankful to have a 'normal' liver

Well done on 18 days, that's awesome

So sorry to read about your job troubles, keep at it, you got this, sending you hugs x

[Mybestyear]

Hi again @BraveFaceScaredInside - well done on 125 days - you’re an inspiration! And great to hear your bloods and scans are good too. From things I’ve read, scarring of the liver was thought to be irreversible if it was extensive but more recent research suggests it can be reversed - or at least allow normal liver function. I’ve also read that inflammation of the liver (which Is reversible) can cause the fibroscan to be inaccurate in more than a third of cases - this paper is patients with hepatitis but talks about inaccurate results. Fibroscans are also relatively new so it will take many years of clinical trials to build a strong evidence base.

www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7901051/

sadly I had a few more relapses/binges which long story short, have led to me being investigated by HR and I will possibly be sacked - awaiting investigation/HR meeting. I am mortified and feel so guilty as my DH and adult DC are so worried about me and also the loss of my income / ability to get another job if I am sacked as we cannot afford to live off DH’s wage only.

on the plus side, I’m now on day 18 AF - I’ve never been an every day drinker but usually can’t get past 10 - 12 days without going on a bender. I’m not even missing it or having cravings- so just really hoping this time it will stick. KOKO everyone 🤞💪❤️

[Candleabra]

Wow that’s amazing. Well done you. You’ve given yourself a great gift.

[BraveFaceScaredInside]

Posting to keep myself accountable (to myself lol)! 125 days Alcohol free.

The wine witch has tried and failed so far although she still needs a stern talking to - often.

Positives.

1. HEALTHY NORMAL LIVER!!.
2. 10kgs weight lost.
3. Anxiety and stress lessened.
4. Going to bed with DH not passing out on sofa.
5. Sleeping better.
6. Waking up refreshed.
7. More time and energy.
8. More money (if I didn't spend it on treats haha).

Negatives.

1. NONE!!

[Idunnowhyibother]

I think just having one drink would lead to you relapsing big time - been there, got the t-shirt from A&E.....your brain will play any damn trick on you to get you back on the demon drink. Celebrate your good health by staying sober!

[Nouveaunew]

@BraveFaceScaredInside
💐
Delighted your liver is ok. I can imagine how it can be a touch triggering but ultimately this is good news for your body

[BraveFaceScaredInside]

Hope everyone on this thread is ok? @SAB10 especially you have been in my thoughts.

Well folks, I had my liver ultrasound monday!!!

I am amazed and confused and s bit head fucked (excuse the swearing, but it sums up in words)

Liver looks normal!!! Not even fatty liver now. I have called the liver clinics secretary and they already have the ultrasound results, so she said she will let the consultant know to update me/my doctors as to what next.

I came away from the ultrasound buzzing with happiness at first, but then its left me confused. Was it just inflammation that gave me the high fibroscan reading? Has being af mended it? Questions I hope to have answered when the consultant writes to me.

In the meantime I know I can't return to how I was. I don't want to. The improvements I feel are massive.

Buuuuut this makes me wonder more if at some point having like 1 glass at special occasions could be possible. It was easier when I thought shit my livers bad. Now the option is there for things to open up a little.

Heads all over the place thinking about it. Still so happy my liver is now ok.

[Mybestyear]

@Theskyoutsideisblue Welcome! I suspect the majority of us have some trauma we have abused alcohol to help deal with - I started drinking heavily to get to sleep as I just couldn’t shut my brain off and it spiralled from there. Day 3 for me today and a sober weekend ahead which I am really looking forward to - last weekend was spent on a drunken heap on the sofa and I woke up on Monday thinking “thank god it’s only Sunday” - I was meeting a friend for lunch and she messaged to say “where we meeting later” and only then did I realise it was Monday! I literally lost a whole day - madness.

[Mybestyear]

@userxx

@BraveFaceScaredInside have you tried the the rip off fever free tonics from Aldi ? Very nice and much cheaper too 👍

Must give them a try! I buy the rhubarb and raspberry tonic water from sainsbury - it’s their own brand, really nice and not too expensive - and low calorie too.

[BraveFaceScaredInside]

@Theskyoutsideisblue for you. That sounds hard, have you had any counselling/therapy? Hugs to you x