I've had the scan. No results from it though. I have to wait to see the hematologist for those on Friday.

Tomorrow is the endoscope. Really not looking forward to that.

It will be a long wait till Friday, when I see the hematologist and should get the results. I think this will be a long appoitment. There will be the results of the liver function test, the liver scan, the endoscopy, and the blood counts for the blood taken on that day.

This will be a long week!.

I think I will be having a couple of coffees on Friday.

Cov.

your in my prayers

Keep us updated!!!

Well...this is a good wake up call for you.

Start doing some reading...figure out some sort of recovery plan - whatever you think might be a fit for you...there's a few options around. You've got some work to do if you're going to make this stick...hanging out at the bar every day and waiting for the diagnosis to come back isn't going to do the trick.

It's a huge change in your life...but it can also be a terrific change if you're ready for it!

Good luck with your choices. Good luck with the diagnosis.

It's not too late for something good to come of this...

Fingers crossed!

I had a liver function/enzyme/thingie test done about ten years ago. Amazingly enough it revealed nothing scary...about the same time I had a full health screening, along with blood work, cardiac work-up and such. Don't know how it happened but I was within normal ranges for everything. I hope you also get "unremarkable" results!

I go to the bar in the evening only.

I'm not even tempted to order a beer (or any other alcohol). As said that is where my friends go.

Problem in a small city in the UK like Coventry is that any social activity after about 9 PM is in bars. Even working normal hours by the time I've finished work and been round to my Dad's to check on him its at least 9 PM when I get home.

Sitting at home by myself would lead to a relapse quite soon.

The main thing I'm missing is some of the fast food I used to eat. It was very nice, or it was after a few drinks. Another few months and I hope this reduces.

At present I'm working on diet and finding out what suits me. I do not have any cravings for alcohol. I'am looking forward to getting my anemia sorted, and dropping at least another stone (about 6 kg) in weight. Once that is done I will probably treat myself to a nice piece of chocolate cake and a large mug of tea. I will not be treating myself to a beer, some wine, or any other alcohol.

I'm not suggesting others try things the way I'm doing it, but at present it is what is working for me. I know I do need a social life after work and weekend evenings and for me its the local bars.

Cov.

I hope all the tests come out ok. I do understand you getting your social life where you can for now. After reading a book my friend from the UK sent me about being English, I see we have very different social customs. Drink or not, a whole lot of his social life revolves around the pub. I hope it works out well for you and you'll have have a plan to stay sober and get healthy. We only get one body, after all. Please keep us updated. And stay with water and soft drinks! :) You'll be thanking yourself in the future, when you continue to breathe and move better, don't have that swelling, and just feel GOOD!

Been to the hospital for the endoscope. This confirmed varices. There are 3 of them protuding by 1/4 lumen. I'm not sure what this means. There was no red marking on them and no sign of bleeding.

I'm pretty sure this confirms cirrhosis and portal hypertension.

I'm fairly sure I'll be reffered to a liver doctor now.

Not a good day.

Cov

I'm so sorry, Cov - I hope that if it is what you fear, it's been caught early. There are many things they can do to at least stop the progress of cirrhosis, if that's what it is. I'm sure your mind is whirling right now - I know that everyone here will send their prayers and positive thoughts to you. Do you have family support there? Sometimes we just need someone to hold our hand.

One suggestion: There are support forums (like SR) for people with liver disease. One that I've spent time reading is called Healing Well. It has a lot of information as well as a forum. There are people there that are really knowledgeable. Here's the link if you're interested:
Hepatitis - HealingWell.com Forum

Hugs coming your way......:ghug3

Its now 16 nights without any alcohol so next stage is to get to 1 month.

I did not go out tonight. As said above my mind is going mad. I would have just been biting peoples heads of for a polite question. I will probably be staying in tonight as well. I do not feel like company at present.

I hope I get some real information on Friday. My mind is filling in all the blanks with the worst things possible. Some times doctors, at least where I live, could do to remember that "the mind abhors a vacum". I think that is the right saying.

Cov.

Hi Cov... I'll link you my first post here from march... have a little look :)

http://www.soberrecovery.com/forums/...-my-story.html

I'll tell you a bit more about whats happened since soon. :)

Thanks for the link Zee.

I find this very confusing. Parts of the UK sites tell you all you can do is not drink, and eat carefully, but there is no recovery, and yet on the same site they then have some ones's experience that they can recover.

Your post does give me hope. My legs were a little swollen, but I had put that down to sitting at work most of the day, not walking enough, and being over weight. About 1 week after stopping drinking, and being on the iron and folic acid supplements, my legs were not swollen anymore.

My weight is down nearly 2 stone. I hope that is down to no alcohol and no junk food. My blood pressure is normal and my pulse has dropped back to 75.

I really think we could do with getting some plain straight information out on the web in the UK. I say in the UK as they are the sites I have mainly been looking at as I'm in the UK and will be treated by the NHS. What is on the UK sites at present, as I said, often contradicts itself.

I know SR is based in the USA, but I am very glad I have found it. Experiences from people like you give me allot more hope than anything on the other "official" UK health sites.

Thanks again for the link.

Cov.

There is always alot of 'maybes' with alcohol-related illnesses. I find this really frustrating. I have often turned to 'Dr Google' and disappeared up my own backside with worry. It is always different with different people.
As far as my ascites is concerned... I did have it. I am 10 months sober and I don't have it anymore.
I had my endoscopy (yuk) last month and this did not show up any varices or ulcers.
Both of these symptons on the 'text book' say that you have cirrosis.
All of my liver function blood tests are normal now... I am on iron tablets because I was on the 'low end of normal range' anaemic. This is now fine. My clotting is also fine.
I had my ultrasound last month as well. This said there was some brightness there and no obvious lumps or bumps (tumours?) This obviously shows that this is not a completely healthy reading, but my liver has decreased in size and my report didn't mention anything 'end-stage'.
I was at my doctors the other day and as usual I was trying to weedle every ounce of information out of him (I'm also chronic hypochondriac too!) he said "If I didn't know what happened to you last year, I would have said there was nothing wrong with you from your blood readings"
He said that I shouldn't drink again and I probably won't die in 5 years like 'Dr Google' says I will. He also said that my Liver specialist won't be able to tell me what my ultimate prognosis is either! He said, you might die of something else! (Bus maybe?)
Has that made me feel better? Hhhmmmm. Jury is out on that one!
I know the NHS is slow and frustrating, but at least its free. Got to be thankful for that I suppose.
Please keep us posted and good luck for tomorrow :ghug3

prayers

Thanks every one for the good wishes.

I'm not religious but if I was I would be praying.

I think I will be referred to a liver specialist tomorrow.

Not sure what to expect, I worried, scared, and confused about what information I can find, and what I've been told.

Hopefully my mind will be clearer after my appointment tomorrow.

Cov.

I am on day 6 and saying prayers for you. Please let us know how you are.

Hang in there, and keep up all the good work you are doing.

Cov, this must be so scary for you. I hope you get to see the liver doc tomorrow and get some answers.

How did it go Cov? Apologies if you started a new thread and I missed it :-)

Still trying to get my head around things.

I've been referred to a liver doctor. Some counts have improved, but my white blood cell count and clotting factor readings are still low.

My kidneys are OK as well.

Another strange comment was the level I was drinking was not high enough to cause the problems I have. Basically they would expect a higher alcohol consumption for cirrhosis. Does this mean there is something else wrong as well?

As I said my mind is having trouble dealing with this. I keep thinking OK I see this doctor they should tell my what is wrong and what can be done about it, but it never seems to get to that point.

I'm keeping on taking the iron supplements and folic acid. I'm still of the junk food, and off the alcohol. I do find it difficult to concentrate at work as my mind is not focussed, and is distracted.

To put the icing on the cake I have a rash on the top of my arms and legs. As the saying goes it never rains it pours.

I would'nt be surprised if I start whistling, and then singing "always look on the bright side of life".

The really annoying thing is that people expect me to know what the situation is, what does it mean, even after telling them I have not been told and do not know. That one really sucks.

At least I'm sticking to no junk, and no alcohol. Tonight was 3 weeks without a drink or junk food.

Cov.