Scared I have cirrhosis :(
Mini Novel Post Writer
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: Maine
Posts: 3,649
from what I've read on the internet
You could have a cut on your finger and look up the possibilities on the internet and it could result in you reading that you could die. Seriously.
My granddaughter had a bone marrow transplant at the age of 11 months. Of course, once they diagnosed her disease which was Amegakaryocytic Thrombocytopenia (AMT for short) we just had to go in search on the internet for all the information that we could gather. BAD decision and we were told so by top notch specialists at the Dana Farber Jimmy Fund Clinic and Boston Children's Hospital. We were convinced that she was not going to make it through the transplant and were horrified by all of the possibilities. She turns 14 years old this November
She actually broke a record for the shortest length of stay at Boston Children's for a bone marrow transplant.Personally, although I think that sites like WebMD can be a useful source of information, I think it causes more problems than it helps. I feel the same about the drug companies advertising on tv "Ask your doctor about....". Not to say that things like Restless Leg Syndrome aren't real but how many people went running to their doctors after that commercial? All to the benefit of the kickbacks for writing the prescription and the drug company fattening it's wallet. It's ludicrous.
If you are going to look things up make sure to discuss the information with your doctor. Take everything that you read with a grain of salt. If you don't trust what your doctor is saying then it sounds like it's time to get a new doctor or at least a second opinion, and not from the internet.
edited: I missed your second post, and this,
(I also convinced myself I had terry's nails today, he assured me I was fine and I didn't have terry's nails. Oh anxiety!)
Member
Join Date: Sep 2013
Posts: 2,805
In early sobriety, someone on our October thread told us that our liver is one of the only organs that regenerates itself and that after six weeks sober you technically have a new liver! We all couldn't wait to get to six weeks and congratulate each other on our new livers! At 8 and a half months sober, I don't need a doctor to tell me that I am healthier than ever!!!
Member
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Texas
Posts: 478
I agree with the above members that suggest not googling it. Man. I have googled myself into cancer (rare and terminal, and fast), pregnancy (I'm 45) and a host of other weird conditions. In fact, I always tell people I am an MD--my med school, Google!
It's normal to react the way you are. It's hard NOT to google, as you are just trying to put your mind to ease. And yes, the liver is resilient!
Sending you peace to quell your anxiety! It will get better!
It's normal to react the way you are. It's hard NOT to google, as you are just trying to put your mind to ease. And yes, the liver is resilient!
Sending you peace to quell your anxiety! It will get better!
Member
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Massachusetts
Posts: 3,550
lawgirl82:
Yes, indeed I have experience I can share. When I was in a rehab 27 years ago my liver enzymes were elevated way beyond yours. A nurse said that, from what she had seen with patients. she'd rather die of cancer than die of cirrhosis because the latter is far worse. About three weeks after I quite drinking my enzymes were normal and the doctors were astonished at my liver's recovery. Liver has very powerful means of recovery. So I haven't had a drink for 27 years and my liver is fine. I just had a heart valve operation and hope to have an even longer period of sobriety for many years. Good luck.
W.
Yes, indeed I have experience I can share. When I was in a rehab 27 years ago my liver enzymes were elevated way beyond yours. A nurse said that, from what she had seen with patients. she'd rather die of cancer than die of cirrhosis because the latter is far worse. About three weeks after I quite drinking my enzymes were normal and the doctors were astonished at my liver's recovery. Liver has very powerful means of recovery. So I haven't had a drink for 27 years and my liver is fine. I just had a heart valve operation and hope to have an even longer period of sobriety for many years. Good luck.
W.
Member
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: Sarajevo
Posts: 76
Pray to God of Israel
Originally Posted by lawgirl82 
I know this sort of anxiety is normal in early recovery....but how normal is it to have cirrhosis and no symptoms? My family doctor has refused to give me an ultrasound because my bloodwork came back normal except my AST was slightly elevated. Given this was the day before the first day of my recovery (I'd actually had been drinking up until several hours before heavily)
she said just quit drinking and it would come down. I'm freaking out because the AST was slightly higher then the ALT and from what I've read on the internet this is indicative of cirrhosis? She did not seem concerned at all and did a physical exam and said everything was fine just quit drinking and refused my request for an ultrasound. Another doctor I visited did the same
Anxiety is very common in early recovery and even though the AST was only slightly elevated (57) and ALT and all other bloodwork was normal (except GGT slightly raised but that is common in alcohol abuse?) and I have no other symptoms i've convinced myself I have cirrhosis and the anxiety is so overwhelming.
What can I do, aside from never picking up a drink? I'm driving myself crazy
Does anyone have any experiences they can share? Especially with having a slightly higher AST but normal ALT, ASP, Bilirubin and all the other stuff?
Not looking for medical advice just others opinions.
she said just quit drinking and it would come down. I'm freaking out because the AST was slightly higher then the ALT and from what I've read on the internet this is indicative of cirrhosis? She did not seem concerned at all and did a physical exam and said everything was fine just quit drinking and refused my request for an ultrasound. Another doctor I visited did the same
Anxiety is very common in early recovery and even though the AST was only slightly elevated (57) and ALT and all other bloodwork was normal (except GGT slightly raised but that is common in alcohol abuse?) and I have no other symptoms i've convinced myself I have cirrhosis and the anxiety is so overwhelming.
What can I do, aside from never picking up a drink? I'm driving myself crazy
Does anyone have any experiences they can share? Especially with having a slightly higher AST but normal ALT, ASP, Bilirubin and all the other stuff?
Not looking for medical advice just others opinions.
Currently Active Users Viewing this Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
