Alcohol... and liver recovery....

[mankymummy]

So... after drinking around 1 bottle of wine a day for two years, how long will it take the liver to get back to normal?

Don't know exactly (scientific knowledge fairly limited) but the liver is pretty good at repairing itself, if person is abstinent from alcohol

Individuals are very different as to how much alcohol results in liver damage. Women can tolerate much less than men. Some women can tolerate many times more than others. You won't know which category you are in! It is possible that there is no damage to your liver at all. It is also possible that there is irreversible damage.

Milk thistle is supposed to help
Also I think there is a test you can take at the gps

Very quickly. Just don't drink! The liver is an amazing organ. Probably about 3 months.

thanks everyone.

what does the test involve?

how can you tell apart from the test whether your liver had been damaged or not?

there's no clear way to tell except by having tests
the liver function test is usually the place to start. It's a blood test. Depending on the result, you can have further tests to find out more if necessary.

The liver is amazing at repairing itself but in severe cases such as cirrhosis, damage is permanent

would the gp do a test just if you ask for it then? or would you have to have symptoms of liver failure first?

oh no, they would do it
you would have to say you were worried about your liver because you had been drinking xyz, or give some other explanation though I would say
and some doctors will just say "nonsense nothing wrong with you, you'll be fine"

do you have symptoms you are worried about, or just anxious because of the amount you've been drinking?

(sorry am assuming it is you, possibly someone you know though)

what symptoms do you have that worry you?

it is me im talking about.

i dont have any symptoms that im aware of. its just i havent drunk since saturday now and am just wondering what damage i might have done to my liver over the years!

I really is totally person-dependant.

my dad has drunk upwards of a bottle of rum a night for probably 20 years and doesn't have any signs of liver damage!

Will depend also on your diet and exercise etc.

You will notice differences in your skin, eyes and hair....

If there is any aspect in your drinking you aren't comfy with, then don't or seek help if you struggle to stop....

well, when I stopped drinking I went to the GP and said more or less the same as you - that I was worried what damage I might have done and could they please test

that was it

how are you feeling? any side effects of stopping?

not really, bit tricky sleeping (but that is half down to DS having problems and being a wriggle monster in my bed!), few headaches but other than that im surprised how easy it has been.

skin, eyes, hair all seem ok (few wrinkles and grey hairs but guess thats not alcohol related!!!).

i'm planning on only drinking a couple of glasses of wine at weekends and nothing in the week eventually... does that sound realistic?

only you will know the answer to that
and it might take you a while to find out!
it depends really on the reasons for your drinking and what kind of a drinker you are
good luck with it
if you get any serious symptoms - see here or are concerned about your current symptoms will you please get help? stopping drinking suddenly can be dangerous - cut down more gradually if there is ever a next time

thanks Franny.