Liver recovery - timeframe/possibilities?
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Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2009
Posts: 1
Liver recovery - timeframe/possibilities?
hello all,
So this past week, I finally came to the point where I was either going to quit drinking, or else I was going to start having some serious repercussions with family, friends, and work. So I stopped. For me, it hasn't ever been so much a physical addiction as a mental one - I used drinking as a crutch to deal with emotional issues, stress at work, and loneliness. However, over the past few years my life has become drastically better (great job, more money, bought my own home, etc.) so I finally got to the point where I asked myself: why am I still doing this? It was more of a habit than a need for me. And so when I started to see some serious physical problems with myself, I decided to quit cold turkey this past week. So far, a week and I don't have one desire to take a sip of alcohol...in fact, I actually feel REFRESHED in the morning instead of sick to my stomach, which I am loving.
However, I have some serious questions about my health, and was hoping that outside of going to a doctor, someone who has experienced something similar could give me some answers. I have been drinking heavily for at least 4 years and unfortunately, for the past 2 I have basically been taking 12-14 shots of rum a night. I began reading up on symptoms of cirrhosis of the liver and unfortunately, I believe I have some of them. My urine is usually a darker yellowish color, and I occasionally (not always) have blood in my stool. While still drinking, it got so bad that every time I went to the bathroom I was having diarrhea, but since I have stopped drinking that has ceased. Luckily, I haven't noticed any signs of jaundice such as yellowish skin or eyes, and since I've completely stopped cold turkey i'm hoping i've at the least prevented that. However, I can't seem to find any straight answers on if/when my liver will ever heal from the serious damage I've done to it over the past several years. I know what I did was stupid but I'm now in a better place and I'm ready to move on with my life - and I don't want to start making commitments without at least having an idea of if/when I can start seeing some improvements, if ever.
Any help or data that one could provide (outside of the canned text I've read about 100 times now over the net) would be appreciated.
So this past week, I finally came to the point where I was either going to quit drinking, or else I was going to start having some serious repercussions with family, friends, and work. So I stopped. For me, it hasn't ever been so much a physical addiction as a mental one - I used drinking as a crutch to deal with emotional issues, stress at work, and loneliness. However, over the past few years my life has become drastically better (great job, more money, bought my own home, etc.) so I finally got to the point where I asked myself: why am I still doing this? It was more of a habit than a need for me. And so when I started to see some serious physical problems with myself, I decided to quit cold turkey this past week. So far, a week and I don't have one desire to take a sip of alcohol...in fact, I actually feel REFRESHED in the morning instead of sick to my stomach, which I am loving.
However, I have some serious questions about my health, and was hoping that outside of going to a doctor, someone who has experienced something similar could give me some answers. I have been drinking heavily for at least 4 years and unfortunately, for the past 2 I have basically been taking 12-14 shots of rum a night. I began reading up on symptoms of cirrhosis of the liver and unfortunately, I believe I have some of them. My urine is usually a darker yellowish color, and I occasionally (not always) have blood in my stool. While still drinking, it got so bad that every time I went to the bathroom I was having diarrhea, but since I have stopped drinking that has ceased. Luckily, I haven't noticed any signs of jaundice such as yellowish skin or eyes, and since I've completely stopped cold turkey i'm hoping i've at the least prevented that. However, I can't seem to find any straight answers on if/when my liver will ever heal from the serious damage I've done to it over the past several years. I know what I did was stupid but I'm now in a better place and I'm ready to move on with my life - and I don't want to start making commitments without at least having an idea of if/when I can start seeing some improvements, if ever.
Any help or data that one could provide (outside of the canned text I've read about 100 times now over the net) would be appreciated.
Member
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Albuquerque, New Mexico
Posts: 565
Going to get simple blood tests from your doctor will tell you exactly what shape your liver is in. The liver is an amazing organ which does heal itself, provided it is not in cirrhosis, and that you stop drinking.
Member
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Southern California
Posts: 15
Generally it takes a good 10 years of heavy drinking or more before your liver may reach the point of Cirrhosis which is irreversible. At that point the only thing you can do is have your liver monitored and abstain from substances that will further it. A doctor will generally take blood and if they see something that worries them do an ultra sound. I had one done sometime in November last year and my liver was fatty from alcoholism, but a fatty liver is reversible. I'd say your liver is probably fine besides being fatty and if you stop punishing it you can reverse that, but no persons body is the same. It is highly doubtful though that you've reached the point of cirrhosis.
Member
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 158
Here's a question to ask yourself -- does it matter? If you found out that your liver would forever be exactly in the state you've brought it to now, would you still want to quit? It seems like you might have some causal/motivation confusion going on.
That being said, as you've read on the internet, the liver is the most self-healing organ in the body, until it reaches the tipping point where scar tissue starts to form, aka cirrhosis. From there, it's progressive in the negative at varying rates regardless of further alcohol use.
Liver status can be gleaned from enzyme tests and ultrasound, but only a biopsy and/or CAT scan can rule cirrhosis out.
I was drinking at least a liter of hard alcohol a day for years and years, and at least a pint a day for the past 15. My AST/ALT results were 205/227 in May 08. A CAT scan in Oct 08 showed liver inflammation but no cirrhosis. I quit drinking in Feb 09. My same numbers near the end of July 09 were 17/19. Normal AST/ALT range is 5-35/7-56.
The liver is downright miraculous in light of what we do to it, but the only way you're going to get any real answers about your own is the same way I did -- by seeing your doctor and getting really, really honest. Because regardless of my numbers, your results may seriously vary.
That being said, as you've read on the internet, the liver is the most self-healing organ in the body, until it reaches the tipping point where scar tissue starts to form, aka cirrhosis. From there, it's progressive in the negative at varying rates regardless of further alcohol use.
Liver status can be gleaned from enzyme tests and ultrasound, but only a biopsy and/or CAT scan can rule cirrhosis out.
I was drinking at least a liter of hard alcohol a day for years and years, and at least a pint a day for the past 15. My AST/ALT results were 205/227 in May 08. A CAT scan in Oct 08 showed liver inflammation but no cirrhosis. I quit drinking in Feb 09. My same numbers near the end of July 09 were 17/19. Normal AST/ALT range is 5-35/7-56.
The liver is downright miraculous in light of what we do to it, but the only way you're going to get any real answers about your own is the same way I did -- by seeing your doctor and getting really, really honest. Because regardless of my numbers, your results may seriously vary.
Member
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Virginia
Posts: 818
If you have serious questions about your health, why are you asking a bunch of alcoholics? You have blood in your stools and that is not a good thing! Go to your doctor and bring a copy of your thread with you.
Member
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: KC MO
Posts: 980
I have a cousin that has cirrhosis. He was diagnosed (liver biopsy) about 3 years ago. He hardly ever drank, and I don't think ever did to the point of being drunk. He did smoke some pot,but not like a lot of people I know.
He has high blood pressure, but never took his medicine to keep it under control. Once he was diagnosed with cirrhosis, they put a stint in his liver to relieve the blood flow. (portal hypertension). The veigns in his esophagus were bleeding and the stint brought that under control. But he has to take medicine that basicly gives him diarrhea. When he got out of the hospital he (still) wouldnt take his medicine. But if he doenn't the ammonia builds up and it's like he's drunk. (he was trying to call people with his electric tooth brush more than once). He kept bouncing in and out of the ER. So I started seeing to it that he took ALL his medicine right.(this has always been one of my least favorite relatives).
This started over 3 years ago, and the liver specialist told me he probably had about 2 years. He is doing a lot better than he was 3 years ago, so yes the liver even with cirrhosis does get better.
They say high bloodpressure wouldn't cause it, but why did he get better when he started keeping it normal? That said he will have to have diarrhea the rest of his life.
Also, I sold his house and moved him into a retirement community (thinking he didn't have long). Now I am trying to find a cheaper place for him to live.
He lives by himself, but needs constant attention, because sometimes the ammonia creeps up, and once that happens he won't take his laxitive (lactolose).
It really isn't something I would wish on anybody, and this is just how it starts. I really hope something else happens to him, besides his liver getting worse. He has had heart problems for the last 10 years. I know that sounds morbid, but there are better ways to go than liver disease.
I'll quit rambling
Fred
He has high blood pressure, but never took his medicine to keep it under control. Once he was diagnosed with cirrhosis, they put a stint in his liver to relieve the blood flow. (portal hypertension). The veigns in his esophagus were bleeding and the stint brought that under control. But he has to take medicine that basicly gives him diarrhea. When he got out of the hospital he (still) wouldnt take his medicine. But if he doenn't the ammonia builds up and it's like he's drunk. (he was trying to call people with his electric tooth brush more than once). He kept bouncing in and out of the ER. So I started seeing to it that he took ALL his medicine right.(this has always been one of my least favorite relatives).
This started over 3 years ago, and the liver specialist told me he probably had about 2 years. He is doing a lot better than he was 3 years ago, so yes the liver even with cirrhosis does get better.
They say high bloodpressure wouldn't cause it, but why did he get better when he started keeping it normal? That said he will have to have diarrhea the rest of his life.
Also, I sold his house and moved him into a retirement community (thinking he didn't have long). Now I am trying to find a cheaper place for him to live.
He lives by himself, but needs constant attention, because sometimes the ammonia creeps up, and once that happens he won't take his laxitive (lactolose).
It really isn't something I would wish on anybody, and this is just how it starts. I really hope something else happens to him, besides his liver getting worse. He has had heart problems for the last 10 years. I know that sounds morbid, but there are better ways to go than liver disease.
I'll quit rambling
Fred
Its time for bed
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: Undisclosed Location
Posts: 343
At least have a colonoscopy for the blood in the stool.
I had blood as well and just had the test. I had 3 polyps of which 1 was confirmed to be precancerous. I have an endoscopy next week to make sure there are no others in the upper GI.
I'm 32. I'm shocked. Go see your Doctor.
I had blood as well and just had the test. I had 3 polyps of which 1 was confirmed to be precancerous. I have an endoscopy next week to make sure there are no others in the upper GI.
I'm 32. I'm shocked. Go see your Doctor.
same planet...different world
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Butte, America
Posts: 10,946
when you go to the doc - take this from experience - be sure to specify you want a 'full 'panel' liver function.
Many clinics don't run the full panel tests for thyroid, liver, etc. it's more a 'surface' test. Then, if THAT test comes back wierd, the will re0-order the full panel.
Trust me wehn I advise to ask for a full panel from the get-go.
That's all i have on that one.
Many clinics don't run the full panel tests for thyroid, liver, etc. it's more a 'surface' test. Then, if THAT test comes back wierd, the will re0-order the full panel.
Trust me wehn I advise to ask for a full panel from the get-go.
That's all i have on that one.
Heathen
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: La La Land, USA
Posts: 2,567
Nope, no experience with that here, but I would be HIGH TAILING it to a doctor asap with only a few of the symptoms you've mentioned. Unfortunately not all liver damage is recoverable from. I hope you see a doc soon.
Forward we go...side by side-Rest In Peace
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: Serene In Dixie
Posts: 36,740
Welcome to SR WhoaPhilip...
Glad you decided to stop drinking to improve
your chances for a healthy future.
Our SR members are not qualified or
allowed to give medical advice
You are making assumptions when
you have no idea what is happening.
Neither do we.
The sooner you have an honest talk with
your doctor....the quicker your mind can ease.
Me? I would have already been at my doctors
asking for diagnostic tests and solid answers
if I had your symptoms.
Glad you decided to stop drinking to improve
your chances for a healthy future.
Our SR members are not qualified or
allowed to give medical advice
You are making assumptions when
you have no idea what is happening.
Neither do we.
The sooner you have an honest talk with
your doctor....the quicker your mind can ease.
Me? I would have already been at my doctors
asking for diagnostic tests and solid answers
if I had your symptoms.
Last edited by CarolD; 10-18-2009 at 11:48 PM.
Member
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Northeast US
Posts: 1,340
Side note.... I just was reminded that the liver is far from the only organ to suffer from years of alcoholic drinking. I'm in my twenties and just had a gallbladder attack. I have a massive gallstone as it turns out. I'm not overweight, and I have no family history.
Pancreas, liver, gallbladder, heart, stomach, brain. They all take a beating from alcohol. Get a full physical.
Pancreas, liver, gallbladder, heart, stomach, brain. They all take a beating from alcohol. Get a full physical.
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