Alcohol hepatitis?

[adore79]

Hello all,

About three months ago I was sick for a week with a swollen liver and pancreas and the doctor said that I could never have alcohol again or I would end up in the emergency room or worse. But a nurse who saw me said that I would have to cut back and start drinking around people and not by myself. WHo is right here? I haven't had a drink since I was sick because I am scared that as soon as I take a sip the pain will start up again but it is ridiculous that I can't have another drink ever! But it is a good time to quit since I went through withdrawl while I was sick so it wasn't as bad as it could have been. My main question though is if I have permanent liver damage now that will shorten my life? Thanks.

[GlassPrisoner]

Your liver will probably heal itself if you continue to abstain.

If you continue to drink alcoholically, it could kill you (I.E. drink at all if you're an alcoholic).

It's not a pretty death. It takes a while (years). It hurts. Think about it.

I'm not a doctor, this is not medical advice. Just personal experience and info gathered form books and on the web.

[CarolD]

Welcome to SR!

The doctor is correct.
When he said "or worse" he meant dead.

The nurse is wrong.
Geez! the booze does not know if you are
alone or not!

It attacks your body and brain

Click here for what it does

http://www.soberrecovery.com/forums/...influence.html (Excerpts "Under The Influence")

Good luck..Be safe and sober

[fuster]

To answer your last question about permanent damage, that depends.

An ultra sound image of your liver will tell the doctor quite a bit about the condition of your liver. Liver cells damaged by alcoholism or other similarly toxic material (in large quantities over a long time, like alcohol) can recover up to a certain point, that point being different in every liver. However, if the image on the ultrasound or a specialized MRI show certain information (that a qualified radiologist can interpret), the answer is that you have permanent damage. However, liver cells do undergo permanent changes from chronic alcohol consumption if it is heavy. Those changes are IRREVERSIBLE after exposure reaches either a certain level or lenght of time. Again, every liver responds differently to alcoholism, but swollen liver is generally a sign that your liver is WAY taxed and it is WAY irritated and you need to STOP all alcohol consumption.

Why would you even consider the opinion of a nurse if it contradicts a doctor? If you had a contractor building you a house, would you let the guy digging the trench for the foundation tell you the design of the structure was in violation of the National Building Code? Or would you let him tell you how to wire the house?

If your liver and pancreas are swollen, I assume they did some diagnostic testing of some sort, at least a blood draw with appropriate testing (there are a battery of liver function tests that are non-specific in terms of pointing to one cause but will, if unreasonably high in value, lead a doctor to tell you to immediately stop consumption of alcohol). Ask your doctor. AFTER you stop drinking.....

[ay100]

Listen to your doctor. Liver is the strongest organ yet once it is damaged it will cause you all sorts of serious problems. I suggest stay away from the alcohol.

Hang out here. We are here to help.

Once the liver goes you go.

[adore79]

I guess I am just being paranoid and I am going to try to not drink anymore. I drank evernight for only two years and this happened even though my Grandfather has been drinking every night for years and he is fine. I thought that I would be okay until I could quit on my own but it didn't turn out that way. I've got it better than many people because fear is a powerful motivator. Feel better now that I am sober especially in the mornings without that groggy feeling but I am soo bored after work! I can't remember what I did before drinking. And antidepressants are a poor substitute. Anyway, thanks for the posts.

[teej]

Originally Posted by felly79

But a nurse who saw me said that I would have to cut back and start drinking around people and not by myself.

Wow, this nurse is so wrong IMO. In my experience, I always got MORE ripped while partying with people.

[thejig]

I would suggest hitting AA meetings....there you will find a host of friends who are involved in all kinds of interesting hobbies which exclude alcohol....that has been the case for me. Now my life is so full that I can't even imagine having time to spend drinking. Good luck to you and God bless.

[Tazman53]

I whole heartedly agree with thejig, AA has not only saved my life and made me a better and happier person and has filled my life with healthy sober activities with sober people that are a whole lot more fun then sitting in my garage all by myself swilling beer!

[CarolD]

100 things to do instead of drinking

1. Read a book
2. Take a walk
3. Play a musical instrument
4. Knit
5. Clean your closets
6. Research your genealogy
7. Cook a gourmet dinner
8. Write an article for your local newspaper
9. Go take some pictures
10. Cl ean the mildew in your bathroom
11. Start writing that book you've been planning
12. Plan a garden
13. Plant a garden
14. Play with a pet
15. Read to a child
16. Visit someone in an old folks' home
17. Watch a news special on TV
18. Set up a family budge
19. Make a web site
20. Take up archery
21. Exercise
22. Go to an online AA meeting
23. Surf the internet
24. Call your mom
25. Learn a foreign language
26. Write a poem
27. Play golf
28. Take a bubble bath
29. Draw
30. Teach a parakeet to whistle
31. Take a nap
32. Listen to music
33. Paint
34. Clean your desk
35. Start a stamp collection
36. Go window shopping
37. Browse in a book store
38. Go to an art gallery
39. Go for a drive
40. Paint a room
41. Watch the clouds go by
42. Play darts
43. Do target shooting
44. Do home repairs
45. Clean your garage
46. Sort your photographs
47. Make a scrapbook
48. Climb a tree
49. Plant a tree
50. Make marmalade
51. Make a list of things to do
52. Write a letter to the editor
53. Volunteer somewhere
54. Take a h ike
55. Take a college class
56. Try yoga
57. Meditate
58. Get a massage
59. Make fruit smoothies
60. Bake cookies
61. Do a crossword puzzle
62. Go to the gym
63. Plant a color bowl
64. Sharpen your pruning tools
65. Change your engine oil
66. Sew
67. Gro om your dog
68. Go see a play
69. Write a sonnet
70. Sort your recipes
71. Play solitaire
72. Go bird watching
73. Write a letter to a friend
74. Read poetry
75. Repot your house plants
76. Go to a movie
77. Mow your lawn
78. Take down your Christmas tree
79. Make pickles
80. Go jogging
81. Watch sitcoms
82. Plan menus for a diet
83. Do a jigsaw puzzle
84. Play chess
85. Write a country-western song
86. Watch a video
87. Go for a bike ride
88. Plant an herb garden
89. Start an online journal
90. Dye your hair
91. Go to a restaurant
92. Lift weights
93. Bake some bread
94. Learn a martial art
95. Polish the furniture
96. Make a flower arrangement
97. Read the newspaper
98. Start some seeds
99. Sort your magazines
100. Go to bed.

[BrandiK]

Felly,

bordom was my biggest reason for drinking. It can take a while to find something to do ... but it happens. Take up anything and everything that strikes your fancy as an activity.

You'll learn quickly that with out drinking, you siddenly have more time for these activities, and more energy. Personally, my life is so much more engaged and enjoyable and busy then it was while drinking.

[came2believe]

Originally Posted by felly79

Hello all,

About three months ago I was sick for a week with a swollen liver and pancreas and the doctor said that I could never have alcohol again or I would end up in the emergency room or worse. But a nurse who saw me said that I would have to cut back and start drinking around people and not by myself. WHo is right here? I haven't had a drink since I was sick because I am scared that as soon as I take a sip the pain will start up again but it is ridiculous that I can't have another drink ever! But it is a good time to quit since I went through withdrawl while I was sick so it wasn't as bad as it could have been. My main question though is if I have permanent liver damage now that will shorten my life? Thanks.

If it was me, I would not want to take the risk. Think about it, if someone told you stop eating strawberries (a common allergen), or you could get a deadly disease, what would you do? I would stop eating the strawberries.

If it is not a simple thing to do~giving up liquor as easily as giving up, say, strawberries or peanuts~well....that says something, right? If it's not easy to give up, you may need help because you may have a dependency.

Fatty liver can repair itself with abstaining from liquor, cirrosis is permanent. Fatty liver leads to cirrosis. Sounds like this is your chance? Someone here had fatty liver and got sober and it reversed itself.

You may want to get a second opinion FROM A DOCTOR if you are concerned. I would not take a second opinion from a nurse. For ANY medical condition.

What she said seems bizarre to me. Why would liquor consumed in public affect you differently than liquor consumed in private?

I know many nurses who completely do not understand certain medical conditions my family deals with daily. I am almost embarrassed for them given how little they know and how much more I do, and I am not in the medical field at all!

Go to a doctor if you feel you need another opinion on the test results. Preferably a specialist in this condition.

[Tazman53]

Fatty liver can repair itself with abstaining from liquor, cirrosis is permanent. Fatty liver leads to cirrosis. Sounds like this is your chance? Someone here had fatty liver and got sober and it reversed itself.

I am not sure if I am the only one, but I was diagnosed with a fatty liver and after 3 months sober my liver was just fine.

[Nuudawn]

This nurse could use a good slap to the side of the head...metaphorically speaking of course. She should not be dispensing medical advice anymore than a legal secretary should provide legal opinion. Her advice could kill you and she could be held professionally responsible - I doubt she has insurance for that. From what you have said, you have liver damage and for the non-alcoholic person, this is a no-brainer. Your title says something about hepatitis. Do you have HepC? If so, you have to live a good clean sober life for recovery. You are not your grandfather..so don't even go to comparison land. How old are you? (that's a real question not an insult). Nobody here is any sort of medical expert (as far as I know anyway)..we can't help you with medical questions really. That is for your doctor (not a nurse in passing) to advise you on. We can help, support and encourage you with abstinence from alcohol. I truly hope that is the route you decide to go.

[dragon76]

Im a vet tech and i here some strange things about treatments people have told them or they read on the internet but this nurse takes the cake. listen to the doc and stay sober!

[Russelrb]

Have the nurse read this from Mayo Clinics site:

"Complete abstinence from alcohol is the single most important treatment for alcoholic hepatitis. It's the only way to reverse liver damage or, in more advanced cases, to prevent the disease from becoming worse. Without treatment, the majority of people with alcoholic hepatitis eventually develop cirrhosis."

[adore79]

I feel that I should explain that I am a friend with that nurse, or rather she is a friend of my Mom's and she saw me before the doctor at the medical center. She knew that I drank alcohol but not how much I drank and when I told her and the doctor "three a day" I was lying because I was embarrased and I didn't want it to get back to my Mom. Only later after the ultrasound I admitted to the doctor that I was drinking more than that. She had asked if I drank with others or by myself and I told her it was mostly by myself and thinking that I was drinking less than I actually was, she said I should only drink while others are around so that they can keep an eye on me. The whole visit was pathetic on my part and I was in a lot of pain. I am sorry for the misunderstanding.
I guess it is obvious to go with the Doctor's orders I don't know what I was thinking with that post last night but I just really wanted to drink again.

And to Nuudawn: No, I don't have hepatitis C and I am 27 yrs old with the intelligence level of a two year old.
And to the AA people: Thanks for the advice but I don't think I could take being in a group like that now, but maybe later.

Thanks to everyone who replied with advice, I feel much better today.

[Nohangovers4me]

Maybe the nurse isn't aware that your an alcoholic or I am sure she wouldn't have suggested that.

If your not ready to quit yet just do your liver a favor and take a alcohol break.

I am glad you feel better.

Have a great day! And try to have no alcohol for awhile you may find you like life. I have notice that each day seems a little sweeter. I actually enjoy watching my baby run around in her diaper. I notice things about my kids i never noticed before. It is weird. I think my anxiety has went down since I quit.

Good luck to you, sincerely
Michelle

[CarolD]

Glad you are feeling better..
the future is yours to enjoy!

Blessings

[Tazman53]

And to the AA people: Thanks for the advice but I don't think I could take being in a group like that now, but maybe later.

My God will the prejudice and ignorance ever end? I am sorry I said that, but I have found my life is far better when I am totally honest.

Felly I really should not say anything when I was still drinking I thought of folks that went to AA meetings as a bunch of loosers, broken down old bums in raggedy old clothes. Idiots who had absolutely no brains or will power at all.

Well I am an alcoholic and I owe my life to AA.

When I go to meetings in attendance are doctors, lawyers, businessmen, one minister I know of in my area, some high profile government folks with a sprinkling of construction workers, trade workers, even low lifes like myself who is a Systems Analyst for a Federal Government Agency.

Yes I have seen a total of 2-3 people who kind of resembled what my bigoted alcoholic mind thought might be "in a group like that".

Prejudice and ignorance of what types of people went to AA kept me drunk 10 years longer then I should have been.

Do your self a favor, dress up like a bum and sneak into an AA meeting and see if you do not feel out of place dressed like a bum!

[came2believe]

Yup, here and there I have seen a well known TV personality, a CEO of a major corporation, several known authors, chief legal counsel of one of the biggest \
corporations in the USA, a major movie star attends meetings in my area, and there are lots and lots of business people and professional types. I won't lie--there are some people there who are forced to be by the courts (due to DUIs or whatever), but they are not the majority nor the heart of the group. Everyone is treated the same, though! In the groups I have been at, we all check our ego at the door!

And I got to meet one of my favorite TV personalities! That's not why I went of course but---guess what? She is really nice! And she is an alcoholic like me! And soooo funny....

AA is nothing like I thought it would be. Thank God!

[fuster]

Originally Posted by felly79

And to the AA people: Thanks for the advice but I don't think I could take being in a group like that now, but maybe later.

That is what I call hanging on to self control. As long as you are doing that, you don't get better, only worse. Good luck doing it your way. When you have had enough misery, see you at a meeting!

[Codieneaddict]

I'm 27 and I happen to have Hep C. I found out by giving blood in High School. I have no idea how I got it. But my doctor told me that I should'nt drink. I maybe drink once a month if that. I've had the Interferon Shots but it didn't work. I would stay away from drinking. My mom got "Alcohol Hepatitis" when I was younger (she was an alcoholic). She too has Hep C but so far she's okay. She rarely drinks. In fact, my bloodwork is always bad and hers is good. She hasn't even had to have a liver biopsy but I have.

The liver is an interesting organ.

[dgillz]

Originally Posted by Tazman53

When I go to meetings in attendance are doctors, lawyers, businessmen, one minister I know of in my area, some high profile government folks with a sprinkling of construction workers, trade workers, even low lifes like myself who is a Systems Analyst for a Federal Government Agency.

Yes I have seen a total of 2-3 people who kind of resembled what my bigoted alcoholic mind thought might be "in a group like that".

Prejudice and ignorance of what types of people went to AA kept me drunk 10 years longer then I should have been.

Taz you nailed it again. We have 2 ministers and a cop in my home group.

Hearing the cop speak at meetings is special, he went from a frequent "back seat rider", to the usuals depths of alcoholism, pulled himself together, got a job as a cop, "a Front seat rider" and is now a great part of the fellowship.

Alcohol is the ultimate leveler, respects no race, gender, class, profession, religion, etc.

I went to a ballet once. I had no intention of ever doing anything like that women can do strange things to a guy. I actually liked it. Do yourself a favor and go to a few AA meetings, you might like it!

[f911]

That nurse is an idiot and probably a heavy drinker too.

jane

ps. I'm an RN