Scared i have done damage
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2018
Location: Queensland, Australia
Posts: 17
Scared i have done damage
Hi all, I have been a binge drinker for years (since 18), im 36 now, didn't drink at all through my two pregnancies and breastfeeding so total of three yearsish not binge drinking. Recently i have been drinking to much alcohol (personal reasons) every day for the last seven months apart from the odd day here and there. I stopped drinking 10 weeks ago now, at 5 weeks sober (after being itchy, fatigued, acid reflux, tingly legs and arms, whiteish toes), i went to the doctors and my doctor did a physical saying my liver felt ok, i also had Liver function tests and CBC all came back within normal range, she also gave me ppis for what she thought was mild gastritis that is common in people that drink too much alcohol. I went back to the doctor as i was still worried about my symptoms, i told the doctor that i also have a pressure feeling under my right breast and have had some pangs of pain at times (Doctor thinks it's anxiety) . I am booked in for an ultrasound on Friday, i am so scared i have done damage to my liver.
Member
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: Atlanta
Posts: 2,872
Hello and welcome.
Glad you went to the doctor. It sounds like a pretty clean bill of health, so I wouldn't worry myself too much.
From what I understand, the liver has no nerves so there would be no pain coming from your liver.
I drank heavily for over twenty years and never had liver pain. My liver enzymes are still elevated after over nine years sober. Doctor doesn't know why. Just is.
I wish you the best with your ultrasound. And try not to worry too much, the liver is the only organ that can heal itself.
Glad you went to the doctor. It sounds like a pretty clean bill of health, so I wouldn't worry myself too much.
From what I understand, the liver has no nerves so there would be no pain coming from your liver.
I drank heavily for over twenty years and never had liver pain. My liver enzymes are still elevated after over nine years sober. Doctor doesn't know why. Just is.
I wish you the best with your ultrasound. And try not to worry too much, the liver is the only organ that can heal itself.
Member
Join Date: Aug 2016
Location: Derbyshire Dales, UK.
Posts: 2,618
Hi 
Alcohol is like an abusive partner - keeps us scared and timid, so that we keep running back to it.
I very much doubt, if tests were clear, that you have done any damage
Not worth risking it for the future though - well done on finding this site - keep posting and try and stay calm - alcohol wants you to panic and go back to it x
Alcohol is like an abusive partner - keeps us scared and timid, so that we keep running back to it.I very much doubt, if tests were clear, that you have done any damage
Not worth risking it for the future though - well done on finding this site - keep posting and try and stay calm - alcohol wants you to panic and go back to it x
Member
Join Date: Dec 2016
Location: New Zealand
Posts: 2,279
Well done on both smoke-free and sober time, neither are easy.
At the back of your liver is a gallbladder that is connected to the liver, it releases bile to emulsify and breakdown fats, sometimes we can get stones in it and it causes pain.
Sounds like your liver is OK though from what the doc said so try not to worry too much.
At the back of your liver is a gallbladder that is connected to the liver, it releases bile to emulsify and breakdown fats, sometimes we can get stones in it and it causes pain.
Sounds like your liver is OK though from what the doc said so try not to worry too much.
No Dogma Please
Join Date: Jul 2017
Location: SoCal
Posts: 2,562
I had done many years on the see-saw of wasted weekends and serious withdrawal during the week. Went through a few particularly nasty ones, including cocaine and benzos. This went off-and-on, mostly on, for at least 15 years. Last binge was drinking at least 5 bottles of wine a day around the clock. I couldn't process food the gastritis was so bad, I had alcoholic hallucinosis, and if I went for more than an hour and a half not drinking I'd get massive sweats and shaking. I showed up in rehab with a horrible gait problem (which had also manifested itself two weeks prior at Coachella) and pretty serious cognitive issues, both of which indicate the beginnings of wet brain.
It took me about a year to feel like I'd been significantly healed and have a tiny bit of residual neuropathy in my right foot. No liver issues, heart fine, and any lingering cognitive issues are better than normal for someone my age. I just hit 18 months sober.
The body is amazingly resilient and heals. I wouldn't worry about it. I got out of rehab at 5 weeks sober and trust me, I still felt horrible, had difficulties with concentrating and balance, and had random aches and pains. Go to the doc and make sure, but the greater likelihood is that you just need more sober time.
It took me about a year to feel like I'd been significantly healed and have a tiny bit of residual neuropathy in my right foot. No liver issues, heart fine, and any lingering cognitive issues are better than normal for someone my age. I just hit 18 months sober.
The body is amazingly resilient and heals. I wouldn't worry about it. I got out of rehab at 5 weeks sober and trust me, I still felt horrible, had difficulties with concentrating and balance, and had random aches and pains. Go to the doc and make sure, but the greater likelihood is that you just need more sober time.
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2018
Location: Queensland, Australia
Posts: 17
Hi, Thanks for asking and sorry it has taken me so long to answer. I have actually had two ultrasounds since my last post. The first cleared my Liver, Pancreas, Gall bladder and right kidney but found that my Left kidney had a small 1.4 cm angiomylopoma, had a second ultrasound to explore the angiomylopoma in more detail. The Radiologist on both ultrasounds and two doctors say it is a angiomylopoma a benign tumour. Doc suggested to have a renal specialist to confirm diagnosis and to establish treatment and i agreed so referral to renal specialist done just waiting on appointment time. I am happy my Liver is ok and that i will soon have a confirmed diagnosis of my angiomylopoma Thank you for all of your support
Thank you for all of your support 
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