Advice needed if possible

[38woman]

Hi,
I'll keep this as short as I can. I have been a heavy drinker 10 years now, I know I am an alcoholic and am not in denial. While slightly overweight I present healthy eg clearish eyes, clearish skin. Eat well and excercise self care like make up and hair. I had a disastrous gastroscopy with horrendous doctor in march. He said what little he could examine he couldn't find anything. I've since found a letter I must have missed sent to me and my doctor prior to the procedure saying he thinks I have alcoholic liver disease. I have heard nothing since the failed gastroscopy. I am in a panic about disease. I am fairly confident my drinking days are over now as I can't live like this every day. Can this be reversed if I have liver disease? I was told not so long ago by a doctor that I am still in the window for it to be reversable damage. Thank you so much for reading.

Is anyone able to send any advice? I know it's not the most fun subject.

I don't have advice, I'm sorry, I just didn't want you to be left alone xx

I too have been a dependent drinker for 10+ years (litre and a half of vodka every day) and know and understand your fear and panic. And being high functioning in some areas and overwhelmed and confused in others. I know it's scary but I think the only thing to do is to call the doctor and have an honest chat. I'm sorry this is happening to you x

I am not a medical person. However I think its correct to say that the liver can repair itself. I'd buy a juicer and occupy my mind by finding out about green juices and shots of homemade ginger remedy. Then I'd go back to the doctor.

The liver is an amazing organ and it's likely that if you stop drinking, a lot of the damage will repair itself. Eat healthily, make sure you're getting enough B12 because you are likely to be severely deficient and get support so that you can stay sober. You've already taken the first and most important step.

I am so grateful for your responses. I'll try not to have regrets and just move forward with a clean lifestyle and will certainly try juicing. Drinkers drink for a reason, it's the worst. Yes started taking B12 to tackle the brain fog - thank you. Theredfoxfliesatmidnight I wish you the best in your own battle. Thanks for replying all xx

Give yourself a week. Juice, drink water, juice. Make them your new hobbies. You can do this op.

@38woman exploring why you drink is going to be a key part of your recovery and that's where you are probably going to need some professional input, but I reckon you are ready to do the hard work.

This is so encouraging. I have started googling good juicers and you are right, you get to a point where you can't do it anymore. I'm done and it's time to tackle this head one. Thank you so much x

Do you mind me asking how much you were drinking?

Do you have a plan to stop? It sounds like you may find it hard if this is a long term thing - so you should try to find support as it's not easy. I also found I had to tackle the deep seated issues in me that drove the drinking - AA helped
me unlock all of that and my life is unrecognisable now - nothing material has changed but the way I look at things has shifted completely

^^ all of this. If AA makes you uncomfortable, you can also try Smart Recovery, which uses a CBT based approach and is secular. You just have to find what works for you. Toughing it out alone is definitely not advisable.

To try to answer, around two bottles of wine each evening (can often be less) and two to three a day on weekends. It was especially bad over lockdown as although not drinking more than this I was eating barely anything and my body was breaking down. It culminated in me being hospitalised with withdrawal. I am feeling so much better, eating and excercising moderately. I have managed to go a month here and there teetotal but it's now I need to be permanently that way. Bizarrely I found a letter tonight while tidying up asking for a second return to discuss and endoscopy. I had no idea so will call Monday. I loathe the doctor though will delicately ask for someone else. I should add I lost my parents to alcoholism - I don't want this path.

To add I am a fan of AA but it fell by the wayside during the pandemic.

I'm so sorry.

I hope you manage to beat this.

Thank you, I have to, it's time. X

Sorry to hear this is happening OP! The most important thing you can do is to cut down and eventually stop drinking. Please be careful and do it under the guidance of a doctor and do not stop suddenly as this can be very dangerous and can cause seizures. I'm not a doctor or nurse but do work on an acute gastro ward so have a little bit of knowledge. Diet is very important as well with the liver repairing itself, I'd ask to be referred to a dietician if you can. Also PP are correct in that the liver can repair itself but when it gets to a certain point (really bad cirrhosis or end stage liver disease) it won't repair itself. Please speak to your doctor and make sure you do it safely if you do stop drinking ❤ I wish you all the luck and I definitely believe you can beat this

Apologies for gatecrashing this thread but op may also find it helpful. I am wondering about starting the day with shot of ginger and lemon. Are these actually beneficial? Also, any juicer recipe recommendations? Thank you.

Thank you for messaging, since reading all great responses I was googling juicer recipes. Try looking online for the Pret sweet green smoothie. It's expensive in store but the ingredients are listed and I'm going to make it today myself. It's along the lines of spinach, kale, apple juice, lemon juice etc.

Hi I hope no one minds but I just wanted to message you an update as you kindly took the time to message me. I attended my first AA meeting today since lockdown closed them all (face to face anyway). I have attended on and off for 6 years and I spoke for the first time today. I took a lot from this meeting and intend to go again next week. Thank you again and I wish the best to anyone going through something similar xxx

@38woman that's excellent news, well done and keep going!