Please advice on liver, PLEASE PLEASE HELP

[Misslouread]

Hi all,

I really need your help, when I first got health anxiety, I drank heavily for about a year, I mean drinking every night, including spirits, beer, wine etc. I then started experiencing a discolouration in my stools and even did a white stool so I gave up alcohol for 3 years, in this time everything returned to normal. Last June I decided I could drink again but of course in moderation so I have had a few bingey nights out but nothing like before and never drink during the week. I have started to get yellow stools again after drinking and I’m terrified this means I have done damage to my liver, I have stopped drinking for a month but I really don’t want to give up forever, I want to be able to enjoy a glass of wine at the weekend.

Does anyone have extensive knowledge of liver troubles and does it sound like I have done long term damage?

I am only 26,

Please help, I’m so distressed x

[hanshan]

I'm no expert, but my understanding is that only about 10% of heavy alcohol users develop permanent liver damage, and then after ten or more years of daily alcohol use.

Also, the liver can recover from damage, unlike most organs.

If you are worried, talk to your doctor and ask for a liver function blood test. Forget about your stools being any kind of indication.

[Misslouread]

Thank you, i'm just convinced, and my eyes look discoloured too over the last few days, i have been convinced for four years of liver damage, it's driving me crazy and also i have heard the only clear indicator is a liver biopsy x

---------- Post added at 12:29 ---------- Previous post was at 10:36 ----------

Please anyone, would you be concerned or is this HA talking?

[Fishmanpa]

Hi MisslouR,

Didn't you say you had a liver function test in your other thread about this and it was normal? That being the case, it's apparent your HA is telling you lies. Being that your body reacts to alcohol the way it does, it would be common sense just not to drink anymore.

Positive thoughts

[Misslouread]

Yes my bloods were normal but other symptoms are telling me different, i just don't want to have to give up something which is such a big part of my social life, it's so difficult i feel like i'm going to lose so much

[Fishmanpa]

Yes my bloods were normal but other symptoms are telling me different, i just don't want to have to give up something which is such a big part of my social life, it's so difficult i feel like i'm going to lose so much

What's more important? Whatever you decide, keep in mind, you make the bed you lay in.

Positive thoughts

[Misslouread]

I just want to know if i'm ok, and then live a normal life and be able to enjoy a glass of wine at the weekend

[SarahH]

Hi, you have been given some sound advice from some senior members on this board. I think this is definitely something that your should go back to your GP about if you cannot accept the test results.

Good luck

Sarah

[Sootica]

I have just come on here as am anxious from drinking way too much on clomipramine the other night - am still feeling awful 2 days on and worried. In your case I say the best thing is go and talk to your GP about the yellow stools and explain concerns - be completely honest about all the details and see what they say - if this doesn't bring some resolution try getting a second opinion. It may well be that alcohol is off the menu at least for a while. Personaly I think it's a shame other drugs are not decriminalised and sold cleanly - then people would have more options when socialising - alcohol is so much more harmful sometimes - and it's the legal one :P

[Jolly12]

Hey guys,

I understand how you feel. I smoked cigarettes in college and can now sometimes convince myself that I have lung cancer, but I don't. I haven't had a lung x-ray or a CT Scan, but I know I don't. I will tell you that I would have never even thought about lung cancer if I hadn't gone online into forums to check for symptoms and to try and alleviate my anxiety and fears. It is a challenge every day not to look something up, but try.
I feel like if you want something to be wrong with you, there will be. Obviously none of us wants something to be wrong with us, but we will chase every ache, pain, lump or bump until we find something. Its almost as if we want someone to find something so we can say, "I knew it!" I will tell you though, when I stopped messing and poking around and worrying, the symptoms went away as well.
If you have seen a doctor, then STOP worrying. I promise, they will tell you if you need more tests, more tests and more appointments = more money. Why would they tell you you were fine if not? I struggle with these same thoughts, but I don't have a medical degree and I can't self diagnose based off of what I find on the internet and neither can you. Its hard, but just try to relax. There is uncertainty in life, there always will be, we can't control that, but we can control how we react to it. Either we control our emotions or they will control us.

There is a link in one of the Self Help Anxiety threads on here with an excellent podcast from the BBC. It won't let me post url to this site yet, but I have it on my blog - AnxietySafeHaven dot Wordpress dotcom.

[Fishmanpa]

Hey guys,

I understand how you feel. I smoked cigarettes in college and can now sometimes convince myself that I have lung cancer, but I don't. I haven't had a lung x-ray or a CT Scan, but I know I don't. I will tell you that I would have never even thought about lung cancer if I hadn't gone online into forums to check for symptoms and to try and alleviate my anxiety and fears. It is a challenge every day not to look something up, but try.
I feel like if you want something to be wrong with you, there will be. Obviously none of us wants something to be wrong with us, but we will chase every ache, pain, lump or bump until we find something. Its almost as if we want someone to find something so we can say, "I knew it!" I will tell you though, when I stopped messing and poking around and worrying, the symptoms went away as well.
If you have seen a doctor, then STOP worrying. I promise, they will tell you if you need more tests, more tests and more appointments = more money. Why would they tell you you were fine if not? I struggle with these same thoughts, but I don't have a medical degree and I can't self diagnose based off of what I find on the internet and neither can you. Its hard, but just try to relax. There is uncertainty in life, there always will be, we can't control that, but we can control how we react to it. Either we control our emotions or they will control us.

There is a link in one of the Self Help Anxiety threads on here with an excellent podcast from the BBC. It won't let me post url to this site yet, but I have it on my blog - AnxietySafeHaven dot Wordpress dotcom.

^^^ Good stuff right there! ^^^

Positive thoughts

[Misslouread]

Thank you all for your help and thank you Jolly,

that really means alot.

i have even booked myself a fibroscan, i am that worried, just want to feel normal, i know so many of you relate to that.

x

[Fishmanpa]

Dang! .... that's a lot of $$$ for reassurance. Why not just accept that the blood tests are normal? They would have shown if anything is wrong and it costs nothing at this point. The solution is very simple MisslouR... You gave up drinking before and all was fine. There's your answer.

Positive thoughts

[Jolly12]

I agree, but whatever you need for peace of mind, I understand that too.

I had high liver enzymes on a test, took two more liver enzyme tests, both normal. Yours weren't even high. Everybody has something at sometime, but I would try really try not linger on this or push for unnecessary tests. Save them for a time when you may really need them.

[Misslouread]

It just scares me a lot that there are horror stories about people who have normal liver function tests but still have damage, and i would never forgive myself if i got ill because i hadn't tried every avenue xx

[Misslouread]

[URL="https://www.dropbox.com/s/kjj55f05yxzowcu/2014-05-14%2022.56.47.jpg

This is how I look, do my eyes and skin look jaundice to anyone x

---------- Post added at 23:05 ---------- Previous post was at 23:03 ----------

http://https://www.dropbox.com/s/kjj55f05yxzowcu/2014-05-14%2022.56.47.jpg sorry this should work x

[nomorepanic]

They look normal to me

Why don't you talk to doc about all of this and see if they will get you a liver scan for reassurance

[hanshan]

Hi Mislouread,

Are you saying that you trust your stools and the your eye-colour more than a doctor's blood test to determine the health of your liver?

(I'm assuming your eyes aren't bright yellow, when blood tests would also skyrocket.)

And despite what Nicola says above, if you really have full-blown health anxiety, then any number of tests is ever likely to produce complete or lasting reassurance. But should reassurance occur, then another HA complaint will surface.

[nomorepanic]

I suggested seeing doc for a scan as she was going to pay for one.

[Fishmanpa]

I suggested seeing doc for a scan as she was going to pay for one.

That's all fine and good IF the doctor refers her. I suggested to just not drink!

This is like the old joke

Patient: "Doc, it hurts when I do this" (holding up an arm)

Doc: "Don't do that"

The OP said that she had quit drinking for three years and had no issues. She started drinking again and has had poo issues. 1+1=2 in this case.

I'm sorry if I keep going back to this but it's so black and white to me :doh:

Positive thoughts

[Misslouread]

I know but i gave up drinking for 3 years so i could have the chance to live a lifestyle where i could drink socially because i enjoy it. I want to know if the poo issues are because of Health Anxiety or Health issues, x