Not sure what's wrong with Liver
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: UK
Posts: 3
Not sure what's wrong with Liver
Hi, this is my first post here.
I am male and 36, have been drinking around 25-30 units a week for the last 10 years and below 25 a week before that since age 18.
Just over 2 months ago I woke up in a cold sweat with nausea, extreme tiredness and a dull ache in the right abdomen. I hadn't had a drink the day before. I got up and sat down with a glass of water and over the course of the day improved slightly. This stayed around the same for just over a week despite me completely stopping drinking and eating reasonably well.
On around the 8th day I started to get worse with hot and cold sweats and pretty much had to stay lay down. After a few days I started to slowly feel better and that has continued over the last 7 or 8 weeks to the point where I have no nausea, no tiredness and just a sore right abdomen and a 'full' type sensation which I guess is a swollen liver.
I have had two blood tests after 2 and 6 weeks, both were normal except for a moderate raised Alkaline Phosphatase levels of 150 and 159
I have had no alcohol since 2 days before I became ill and abstinence does not seem to be a problem at the moment for me.
I am confused as to what is actually likely to have happened and what is likely to happen in the future. My guess is Alcoholic Hepatitis but the blood test readings don't seem to fit in with this.
Has anyone else had an experience like this?
I am male and 36, have been drinking around 25-30 units a week for the last 10 years and below 25 a week before that since age 18.
Just over 2 months ago I woke up in a cold sweat with nausea, extreme tiredness and a dull ache in the right abdomen. I hadn't had a drink the day before. I got up and sat down with a glass of water and over the course of the day improved slightly. This stayed around the same for just over a week despite me completely stopping drinking and eating reasonably well.
On around the 8th day I started to get worse with hot and cold sweats and pretty much had to stay lay down. After a few days I started to slowly feel better and that has continued over the last 7 or 8 weeks to the point where I have no nausea, no tiredness and just a sore right abdomen and a 'full' type sensation which I guess is a swollen liver.
I have had two blood tests after 2 and 6 weeks, both were normal except for a moderate raised Alkaline Phosphatase levels of 150 and 159
I have had no alcohol since 2 days before I became ill and abstinence does not seem to be a problem at the moment for me.
I am confused as to what is actually likely to have happened and what is likely to happen in the future. My guess is Alcoholic Hepatitis but the blood test readings don't seem to fit in with this.
Has anyone else had an experience like this?
No more merlot, more mamma
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Hills, Ct
Posts: 2,139
Hi and welcome,
I'm glad that you posted. You have said that you've had blood tests, so I am assuming that your doctor ordered them? What does he say? Have you been honest with him how much you drink?
We aren't docs here and can't give any medical advice..but we give awesome support!
Karen
I'm glad that you posted. You have said that you've had blood tests, so I am assuming that your doctor ordered them? What does he say? Have you been honest with him how much you drink?
We aren't docs here and can't give any medical advice..but we give awesome support!
Karen
Follow Directions!
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Fredericksburg, Va.
Posts: 9,730
Not a doctor myself, but have you told your doctor how much you were drinking and for how long?
If you have not told the doc the WHOLE truth he will not know if there are other test he needs to run.
Alcohol affects/damages every organ in our bodies.
If you have not told the doc the WHOLE truth he will not know if there are other test he needs to run.
Alcohol affects/damages every organ in our bodies.
Forward we go...side by side-Rest In Peace
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: Serene In Dixie
Posts: 36,740
Hi and Welcome to SR!
I have no idea.
I'd be back at a doctors ASAP
Glad you are now sober...Congratulations!
I have no idea.
I'd be back at a doctors ASAP
Glad you are now sober...Congratulations!
Last edited by CarolD; 10-04-2007 at 12:03 AM.
Member
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Murrieta, Ca
Posts: 2,683
Another Not Doctor here.
What I read sounds an awful lot like withdraw. I used to feel like that every morning for 2 years. If I didnt keep booze in my system 24 x 7, then things got really interesting.
The liver has amazing regenerative capabilities. The only thing you need to do now to not cause any more damage is continued abstinence.
I also highly suggest looking into a good recovery program like AA. My experience is that I could stop drinking, but I couldn't stay stopped.
What I read sounds an awful lot like withdraw. I used to feel like that every morning for 2 years. If I didnt keep booze in my system 24 x 7, then things got really interesting.
The liver has amazing regenerative capabilities. The only thing you need to do now to not cause any more damage is continued abstinence.
I also highly suggest looking into a good recovery program like AA. My experience is that I could stop drinking, but I couldn't stay stopped.
Awaiting Email Confirmation
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Worcester
Posts: 789
Originally Posted by barb dwyer 
I'm no doctor - and pretty afraid of getting sued by one, so I'll just say welcome and whisper you might want to google pancreatitis....
Member
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: in the present moment
Posts: 2,060
even though I AM a medical professional, I would not be able to ascertain your condition from what you've described. It is essential to be seen in person and to follow advice given by your treating physicians.
In general, however, my own health vastly improved with 100% abstinence from alcohol as well as a program of recovery that teaches me how to live a useful, productive peaceful (more or less) life so that I don't justify drinking as a way to cope with everyday stressors.
For me, that program is AA fellowship plus a daily connection with an ancient spiritual philosophy. Have you explored recovery programs?
Good luck and please stick around. We are always supportive of your journey into better health.
In general, however, my own health vastly improved with 100% abstinence from alcohol as well as a program of recovery that teaches me how to live a useful, productive peaceful (more or less) life so that I don't justify drinking as a way to cope with everyday stressors.
For me, that program is AA fellowship plus a daily connection with an ancient spiritual philosophy. Have you explored recovery programs?
Good luck and please stick around. We are always supportive of your journey into better health.
Member
Join Date: May 2005
Location: brooklyn, new york
Posts: 1,639
"......... have been drinking around 25-30 units a week .........."
i like that reference
are you on a 100% alcohol iv
lol
"............Alcoholic Hepatitis............."
new one on me
seriously, go to a doctor for a physical
then takle it from there
one thing you don't need a doctor to tell you
you know it's those "this bud's for you" binges
go to AA
best
fraankie
i like that reference
are you on a 100% alcohol iv
lol
"............Alcoholic Hepatitis............."
new one on me
seriously, go to a doctor for a physical
then takle it from there
one thing you don't need a doctor to tell you
you know it's those "this bud's for you" binges
go to AA
best
fraankie
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: UK
Posts: 3
Thanks for the replies!
I had a look at pancreatitis and it looks a pretty bad condition to have, possibly even worse than an inflamed liver. The soreness/discomfort seems to be mainly up around the upper front right abdomen which seems to be more in the liver region than pancreas but I will suggest it to my doctor and see what he says.
I've no other symptoms than the soreness/bloated feeling and a slight headache at times now and I'm still not drinking.
Best regards,
Paul
EDIT: I've not had my gallbladder checked but I'll suggest that to my doc next time I see him. Thanks for the suggestion.
I had a look at pancreatitis and it looks a pretty bad condition to have, possibly even worse than an inflamed liver. The soreness/discomfort seems to be mainly up around the upper front right abdomen which seems to be more in the liver region than pancreas but I will suggest it to my doctor and see what he says.
I've no other symptoms than the soreness/bloated feeling and a slight headache at times now and I'm still not drinking.
Best regards,
Paul
EDIT: I've not had my gallbladder checked but I'll suggest that to my doc next time I see him. Thanks for the suggestion.
same planet...different world
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Butte, America
Posts: 10,946
no kind of doctor - but a pretty heavy duty codie - if someone's got a problem I can't stop my fingers from trying to help... LOL
And glallbladder was my second guess - because i had mine taken out about ... four years ago - while drinkingheavily.
well .. not WHILE drinking heavily - I mean, we weren't on a cattle drive or something - I mean, bck when I *was* drinking all the time. I was sober for the surgery - I mean, asleep - omg.
please keep posting and let us know!
also - how's the abstaining going? what's the plan there?
And glallbladder was my second guess - because i had mine taken out about ... four years ago - while drinkingheavily.
well .. not WHILE drinking heavily - I mean, we weren't on a cattle drive or something - I mean, bck when I *was* drinking all the time. I was sober for the surgery - I mean, asleep - omg.
please keep posting and let us know!
also - how's the abstaining going? what's the plan there?
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: UK
Posts: 3
I don't plan to drink again now, I don't seem to be able to drink sensibly so I'll have to stay completely abstinent from now on.
No problems so far, not even tempted after just over 2 months dry as the sudden illness completely shocked me, but if I start to feel 100% well again it might get more difficult.
No problems so far, not even tempted after just over 2 months dry as the sudden illness completely shocked me, but if I start to feel 100% well again it might get more difficult.
We Do Recover
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Texas
Posts: 2,619
Originally Posted by Bluenile
The soreness/discomfort seems to be mainly up around the upper front right abdomen which seems to be more in the liver region than pancreas but I will suggest it to my doctor and see what he says.
I am not a doctor, but can only share through personal experience that a blood panel should be able to help distinguish which organ(s) if any are being affected. Be honest with your doctor on how much you drink. It may just save your life.
Don't get undies in a bunch
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: South Shore MA
Posts: 7,120
Your aches are telling you that you just found out...One more reason to stay sober.
Dr, now that I am sober I seem to be feeling ill all the time?
dr replies...
You have been feeling ill for a long time, you were just to drunk to notice.
A sober life can be a better controled health. We think the worst but find out when we see our Dr that our thoughts were not even close to what the problem is.
See your Dr so you can settle your thoughts quicker.
Could find out that your problem is just your body saying...What is this new stuff?
Your body may just be adjusting to "healthy" foods.
See your Dr to be sure.
Dr, now that I am sober I seem to be feeling ill all the time?
dr replies...
You have been feeling ill for a long time, you were just to drunk to notice.
A sober life can be a better controled health. We think the worst but find out when we see our Dr that our thoughts were not even close to what the problem is.
See your Dr so you can settle your thoughts quicker.
Could find out that your problem is just your body saying...What is this new stuff?
Your body may just be adjusting to "healthy" foods.
See your Dr to be sure.
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