First time release - scared, worried, sad; liver ache, loss of appetite, no insurance
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Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2008
Posts: 2
First time release - scared, worried, sad; liver ache, loss of appetite, no insurance
Hello all.
This is my first post here. I discovered sober recovery last night while in the grips of some pretty scary thoughts and feelings. I'm not sure how to start. I need some advice ASAP. I know you aren't necessarily doctors but I need some quick advice.
Yesterday and last night and some this morning I had general aching in the area of my liver. I did a good amount of research and I came to the conclusion it is from an enlarged liver as a result of about 5 years drinking. I am 22 years old, and I am in a transition between health coverage. At this moment, I am uninsured. I am at college. I generally drank numerous times a week - and for a long time I have known it isn't healthy but I did it anyway. I have a family history of alcoholism (my mother's father was an alcoholic). I drank alone sometimes but mostly was a very social drinker - we all had grand old times but I think it's taking its toll. I'd say on average I consumed about 60-80 units a week, sometimes more sometimes less the past 5 years.
A quick run down of the past few days :
Wednesday - ~ 8 units
Tuesday - ~ 8 units
Monday - ~ 4 units
Sunday - ~ 9 units
Saturday - ~ none
Friday - bottle of wine + champagne
Yesterday and last night I felt the liver pain. I became very, very scared. I have been concerned about my drinking for well over a year but it can be so cryptic sometimes - I feel fine but I know its killing me. Last night in bed I couldn't sleep because I was so scared. I have no symptoms of jaundice. I did feel what may have been a slight fever. My head didn't feel hot like a fever though, but I was cold in bed, then sweating. Around 3am those feelings subsided. This morning I could only stomach half a sandwich. I am not sure whether this is because I am so anxious and worried or whether these are symptoms in addition to the liver pain. The liver pain has subsided by now, ~ 36 hours after my last drink. I decided to quit alcohol yesterday.
My question is - should I call a doctor? I think I am going to go home to my family today. i'm not sure whether to tell them or not. My mom would be devastated. I am thinking it is best to secure health insurance before panicking and going to the doctor. I understand the urgency but its thousands upon thousands of dollars uninsured. I feel as though with this news, and the terrifying things I have read the past 18 hours, I can rid myself of this without telling my parents I have a drinking problem. I should note that not long ago, about 1 month, I was at sea on a research vessel without alcohol for 5 days. I didn't feel withdrawal or a really strong urgency to drink.
Please give me advice as to how urgent you think my condition may be. As I said, no liver pain right now, no yellowing of the skin, and no alcohol for ~36 hours. I am feeling different but I think this may be due to fear and anxiety. If anyone can offer some hopeful, consoling words I would appreciate it. Thank you so much.
-Andrew
This is my first post here. I discovered sober recovery last night while in the grips of some pretty scary thoughts and feelings. I'm not sure how to start. I need some advice ASAP. I know you aren't necessarily doctors but I need some quick advice.
Yesterday and last night and some this morning I had general aching in the area of my liver. I did a good amount of research and I came to the conclusion it is from an enlarged liver as a result of about 5 years drinking. I am 22 years old, and I am in a transition between health coverage. At this moment, I am uninsured. I am at college. I generally drank numerous times a week - and for a long time I have known it isn't healthy but I did it anyway. I have a family history of alcoholism (my mother's father was an alcoholic). I drank alone sometimes but mostly was a very social drinker - we all had grand old times but I think it's taking its toll. I'd say on average I consumed about 60-80 units a week, sometimes more sometimes less the past 5 years.
A quick run down of the past few days :
Wednesday - ~ 8 units
Tuesday - ~ 8 units
Monday - ~ 4 units
Sunday - ~ 9 units
Saturday - ~ none
Friday - bottle of wine + champagne
Yesterday and last night I felt the liver pain. I became very, very scared. I have been concerned about my drinking for well over a year but it can be so cryptic sometimes - I feel fine but I know its killing me. Last night in bed I couldn't sleep because I was so scared. I have no symptoms of jaundice. I did feel what may have been a slight fever. My head didn't feel hot like a fever though, but I was cold in bed, then sweating. Around 3am those feelings subsided. This morning I could only stomach half a sandwich. I am not sure whether this is because I am so anxious and worried or whether these are symptoms in addition to the liver pain. The liver pain has subsided by now, ~ 36 hours after my last drink. I decided to quit alcohol yesterday.
My question is - should I call a doctor? I think I am going to go home to my family today. i'm not sure whether to tell them or not. My mom would be devastated. I am thinking it is best to secure health insurance before panicking and going to the doctor. I understand the urgency but its thousands upon thousands of dollars uninsured. I feel as though with this news, and the terrifying things I have read the past 18 hours, I can rid myself of this without telling my parents I have a drinking problem. I should note that not long ago, about 1 month, I was at sea on a research vessel without alcohol for 5 days. I didn't feel withdrawal or a really strong urgency to drink.
Please give me advice as to how urgent you think my condition may be. As I said, no liver pain right now, no yellowing of the skin, and no alcohol for ~36 hours. I am feeling different but I think this may be due to fear and anxiety. If anyone can offer some hopeful, consoling words I would appreciate it. Thank you so much.
-Andrew
Member
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: massachusetts
Posts: 2,216
Hi Andrew and welcome to SR! We are not allowed to give medical advice on this site (for obvious reasons), so I can't really address your medical ??'s. What I can say is that if you have a desire to quit drinking, everyone here will be more than willing to help. Also, I know if I start a thread, I check every few minutes to see if there's been a response (well, maybe more often sometimes 
), and I want you to know that you have been heard. I'm sure that others will be along over the course of the day, but I would suggest looking at some of the "stickies" at the beginning of each forum. You may find some answers there. But please, continue to post. There are friends here that you just haven't met yet!
), and I want you to know that you have been heard. I'm sure that others will be along over the course of the day, but I would suggest looking at some of the "stickies" at the beginning of each forum. You may find some answers there. But please, continue to post. There are friends here that you just haven't met yet!
Member
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Bartlesville, OK
Posts: 59
Good Luck Bro,
I'll pray for your health!
You're still young enough that I doubt it's anything too serious, but it sure is one hell of a wake up call, isn't it? Next time you even think of alcohol, think of the fear and pain you're in right now and how you never want this again.
Good Luck
I'll pray for your health!
You're still young enough that I doubt it's anything too serious, but it sure is one hell of a wake up call, isn't it? Next time you even think of alcohol, think of the fear and pain you're in right now and how you never want this again.
Good Luck
Last edited by Brandeeno; 12-19-2008 at 12:18 PM.
To Thine Own Self Be True
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: So Cal
Posts: 1,946
Hi Andrew and welcome!`
I think it is a real blessing that you are so scared and concerned!
I do not think it is a great sign that you are having physical effects at such a young age
And obviously it would be good to see a doctor but if you can not I think that it would be good to be around other people for the next little while. Go home. If you feel the need to talk about your situation, do. If not, don't. Take care.
I wish you the VERY best!!!!
I think it is a real blessing that you are so scared and concerned!
I do not think it is a great sign that you are having physical effects at such a young age
And obviously it would be good to see a doctor but if you can not I think that it would be good to be around other people for the next little while. Go home. If you feel the need to talk about your situation, do. If not, don't. Take care.
I wish you the VERY best!!!!
Member
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Can
Posts: 79
Hey Underwood!
(I'm not a doctor)
Even though you're uninsured, I don't think a doctor's visit to check you out would cost too much. The doctor will probably poke around your abdominal area, take your blood pressure and order a liver function test with a return visit a week or so later to discuss the results. And perhaps another test a few months later after abstaining.
I'm guessing that you're in the US so I don't know how much that would cost but certainly not thousands as you say. Perhaps a US member can chime in on that one. You don't need a specialist for that one, any family physician will do.
I think that will help to relieve a lot of your anxiety. As Brandeeno says, you're probably too young for anything serious and if something is wrong, abstinence will almost certainly make it better.
Take a load off of yourself and get checked out.
Good luck!
edit: How much is a "unit"? An ounce?
(I'm not a doctor)
Even though you're uninsured, I don't think a doctor's visit to check you out would cost too much. The doctor will probably poke around your abdominal area, take your blood pressure and order a liver function test with a return visit a week or so later to discuss the results. And perhaps another test a few months later after abstaining.
I'm guessing that you're in the US so I don't know how much that would cost but certainly not thousands as you say. Perhaps a US member can chime in on that one. You don't need a specialist for that one, any family physician will do.
I think that will help to relieve a lot of your anxiety. As Brandeeno says, you're probably too young for anything serious and if something is wrong, abstinence will almost certainly make it better.
Take a load off of yourself and get checked out.
Good luck!
edit: How much is a "unit"? An ounce?
Member
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Hicktown, PA
Posts: 1,479
Hey Underwood - Welcome to SR. Does your college have an infirmary or any kind of on-campus health dept. ? If so, pay a visit - I'm sure you are not the first college student to be concerned about the effects of alcoholism. They will probably be able to refer you to a clinic or a doctor in the area that is free or accepts payment based on a what the patient can pay. I agree with 223, the cost for a liver function test is minimal, even without health insurance. For example, I live in rural PA, and my doctor charged $65 for an office visit, and my liver panel was less than $100, but I can't remember the exact amount.
Good luck and keep posting!
Good luck and keep posting!
Member
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: CA
Posts: 114
Underwood, whats up
I had a recent scare like you and ended up going to the hospital to get tests done to make sure nothing really serious was going on. It's worth it to have any worries looked at for peace of mind and for your health. With your age I really doubt you have any permanent liver damage, but im no doctor, and I do know if you stop drinking often the liver repairs itself over time. So, honestly just try going a few weeks without drinking and see how you feel. My bet would be you feel a lot better. I know your still in college so it will be pretty tough for you to stop drinking, you just gotta not put yourself in situations where you might drink, and remember how scared you are about your body right now. Alcohol obviously has made your body upset and its telling you , no more of this damn poison. Anyways, just take a break from booze, see how ya feel and GL, keep posting
I had a recent scare like you and ended up going to the hospital to get tests done to make sure nothing really serious was going on. It's worth it to have any worries looked at for peace of mind and for your health. With your age I really doubt you have any permanent liver damage, but im no doctor, and I do know if you stop drinking often the liver repairs itself over time. So, honestly just try going a few weeks without drinking and see how you feel. My bet would be you feel a lot better. I know your still in college so it will be pretty tough for you to stop drinking, you just gotta not put yourself in situations where you might drink, and remember how scared you are about your body right now. Alcohol obviously has made your body upset and its telling you , no more of this damn poison. Anyways, just take a break from booze, see how ya feel and GL, keep posting
Member
Join Date: Oct 2008
Posts: 6,947
Hey
Can't give advice.
The liver gets inflammed with any kind of toxin. Alcohol is a toxin and in high amounts will cause acute hepatitis. If the toxin remains long enough and in high enough amounts it can begin to cause permanent damage. That's when the skin turns yellow, skin spots (spiders)... lot's of scary stuff.
The good news about this is that in most cases the inflammation goes away when the toxin goes away. Except in the final stages, even those with permanent damage beginning to cause symptoms, removing the toxin will allow what is left of the liver to function at capacity and, sometimes, the symptoms will improve or go away.
If you need reassurance or are afraid something is wrong, go to the infirmary, or a primary care doctor. If cost is a concern, be very up front about it and maybe a good history and physical will be all that's needed to console you.
If you're worried about your drinking. Stop. Get support, at AA, or, your college probably has help for students with drug and alcohol problems.
The real permanent damage that alcohol causes, short of injuries, etc..., is to relationships, to your emotional and spiritual well being and all the lost opportunities that are out there waiting for you !!! Take that from someone who wished I'd given my drinking some thought when I was in school, 30 years ago...
Have a Merry Christmas with your family. If you need to see a doctor, you don't have to tell anyone but the doctor why you are there...
Mark
Can't give advice.
The liver gets inflammed with any kind of toxin. Alcohol is a toxin and in high amounts will cause acute hepatitis. If the toxin remains long enough and in high enough amounts it can begin to cause permanent damage. That's when the skin turns yellow, skin spots (spiders)... lot's of scary stuff.
The good news about this is that in most cases the inflammation goes away when the toxin goes away. Except in the final stages, even those with permanent damage beginning to cause symptoms, removing the toxin will allow what is left of the liver to function at capacity and, sometimes, the symptoms will improve or go away.
If you need reassurance or are afraid something is wrong, go to the infirmary, or a primary care doctor. If cost is a concern, be very up front about it and maybe a good history and physical will be all that's needed to console you.
If you're worried about your drinking. Stop. Get support, at AA, or, your college probably has help for students with drug and alcohol problems.
The real permanent damage that alcohol causes, short of injuries, etc..., is to relationships, to your emotional and spiritual well being and all the lost opportunities that are out there waiting for you !!! Take that from someone who wished I'd given my drinking some thought when I was in school, 30 years ago...
Have a Merry Christmas with your family. If you need to see a doctor, you don't have to tell anyone but the doctor why you are there...
Mark
Forward we go...side by side-Rest In Peace
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: Serene In Dixie
Posts: 36,740
Good to know you are planning for a sober future...
Welcome!
I would srumise your on Holiday break from school
and that is a good way to not be drinking with college buddies.
Your off to a positive start...That's super!
Let us know how you are doing....many of us have
sucessfully quit drinking...we do understand....
Welcome!
I would srumise your on Holiday break from school
and that is a good way to not be drinking with college buddies.
Your off to a positive start...That's super!
Let us know how you are doing....many of us have
sucessfully quit drinking...we do understand....
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2008
Posts: 2
Thank you all! Sincere thanks for the posts. Very supportive and helpful.
I still haven't had anything to drink, and am planning on going home tomorrow (lots of snow on the roads!) to my parents, the woodstove, pets and a wonderful home to kick back for awhile. It will be a lot easier not to drink there. Also, you'll be happy to know I went out to 3 different bars tonight and was the DD for my friends...man oh man was that a nightmare. I didn't drink at all...but my friends got hammered. It was funny/hell to deal with them but they took my resistance to drink well. It is tempting. I can tell this will be difficult as I've already felt the urge. It can really come close to trumping the horrible feelings it caused only hours/days before.
I'll let you know my progress. Also, I feel physically much better - no more of the aching nor the general feelings of discomfort. Thank you all!
I still haven't had anything to drink, and am planning on going home tomorrow (lots of snow on the roads!) to my parents, the woodstove, pets and a wonderful home to kick back for awhile. It will be a lot easier not to drink there. Also, you'll be happy to know I went out to 3 different bars tonight and was the DD for my friends...man oh man was that a nightmare. I didn't drink at all...but my friends got hammered. It was funny/hell to deal with them but they took my resistance to drink well. It is tempting. I can tell this will be difficult as I've already felt the urge. It can really come close to trumping the horrible feelings it caused only hours/days before.
I'll let you know my progress. Also, I feel physically much better - no more of the aching nor the general feelings of discomfort. Thank you all!
I got nothin'
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: My house.
Posts: 4,890
My doctor visit (no insurance) was about $100 US and the blood work for liver functions (and kidney, etc.) ran close to $400. The peace of mind is definitely worth that.
Depending on which hospital or clinic you go to, you may be able to pay on a sliding scale. Not all places do this, but, for the ones that do, you have to ask. They do not advertise this service.
Best of luck to you, underwood. Oh, yeah, and welcome to SR!
Depending on which hospital or clinic you go to, you may be able to pay on a sliding scale. Not all places do this, but, for the ones that do, you have to ask. They do not advertise this service.
Best of luck to you, underwood. Oh, yeah, and welcome to SR!
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