View Full Version : Ascites query
Hi all
Just a quick summary of me... had really bad health anxiety, started drinking to ease it, health anxiety has improved a lot... but now I worry about liver issues due to alcohol use. I drink about 2 bottles of wine a night or 8/9 pints lager/beer. I know its a lot but its the only thing that quells my health anxiety which I've had for 20 years.
Anyway, ascites, would you have other warning signs of cirrhosis before acsites sets in? Like, all my LFTs have come back normal and don't have swollen ankles... The swollen tummy is rolls of fat, but I can't stop measuring depth of my belly button as apparently it gets pushed outwards with ascites. (I'm 34, female btw).
Also, does it progress over years, months, weeks or days? I'm paranoid I've the early signs and I can't stop feeling tummy, googling for images of it
Please don't lecture me on the drink. I know drink can make anxiety worse, but in my case, the HA came before the alcohol and no therapy or meds helped it.
Thanks in advance
Please don't lecture me on the drink.
Nothing to say then :shrug:
FMP
FMP, I get enough lectures from my family, hence why I'm calling on you guys who understand how awful HA is...
Like I said, the alcohol came AFTER the health anxiety...
And if you do want to lecture me on drinking, what do you suggest to stop the HA? Cos I haven't found anything to stop it so far. (Apart from drink which helps me rationalise)
It doesn't matter which came first. It does matter that the alcohol is a negative catalyst and makes things much worse. So how do you stop the HA? You need to seek help for your alcoholism, stop drinking, seek real life professional help and meds if needed (which shouldn't be mixed with alcohol) and a lot of hard work.
FMP
AbyssalStars
05-06-21, 00:47
Hello! I don't know a way to full on stop my HA, but what helps me to rationalize is to have someone to talk to, who is willing to listen without judgement and who has the medical knowledge to explain exactly why my symptoms which seem to be pointing towards XYZ illness are not actually due to XYZ illness, but rather something much less severe. For me, this person is my PCP. I can get scheduled within a week and talk to her about my current health worries, and she can politely and kindly explain why she thinks I don't have XYZ illness. If she does think that some of my symptoms align, she will perform tests to rule things out, or send me to a specialist if needed. She has told me repeatedly that she would rather I come in and talk about my worries rather than sit around and worry, or heaven forbid, start googling.
In a way, my PCP is how I rationalize with my HA. Without her, I probably would go off the deep end and have one too many visits to the ER (and have).
Maybe instead of spending money on alcohol, you could spend it on regular check-ups with a trusted and understanding physician? (Sorry if this is not an option for you.)
Hello! I don't know a way to full on stop my HA, but what helps me to rationalize is to have someone to talk to, who is willing to listen without judgement and who has the medical knowledge to explain exactly why my symptoms which seem to be pointing towards XYZ illness are not actually due to XYZ illness, but rather something much less severe. For me, this person is my PCP. I can get scheduled within a week and talk to her about my current health worries, and she can politely and kindly explain why she thinks I don't have XYZ illness. If she does think that some of my symptoms align, she will perform tests to rule things out, or send me to a specialist if needed. She has told me repeatedly that she would rather I come in and talk about my worries rather than sit around and worry, or heaven forbid, start googling.
In a way, my PCP is how I rationalize with my HA. Without her, I probably would go off the deep end and have one too many visits to the ER (and have).
Maybe instead of spending money on alcohol, you could spend it on regular check-ups with a trusted and understanding physician? (Sorry if this is not an option for you.)
How often do you visit your doctor? I don't see how paid reassurance (and your PCP is the recipient of the monetary expenditures) is any better than numbing yourself TBH.
FMP
Perhaps I should have not mentioned the alcohol part in my original post, then maybe I would've got some helpful advice...
Perhaps I should have not mentioned the alcohol part in my original post, then maybe I would've got some helpful advice...
But you've mentioned your drinking several times before in your threads. The issue is there are two illnesses to deal with and one needs to be treated in order to treat the other.
I hope you find the inner fortitude to take action.
Positive thoughts
Really sorry, Alcopop, but I don't feel as though I can offer any sort of reassurance when you're behaving in a way that actively courts the negative consequences you're worried about. Unfortunately, you're probably right to be worried; it might be nothing but it might not.
Again, I hope you can find it in yourself to get professional help, as I suspect this is above th paygrade of people here.
Thanks all for your advice. I have tried therapy, AA, willpower, nothing works. And then I have to weigh up living with debilitating anxiety over my health or drinking to take away the fear.
Anyway, could anyone please answer my main query regarding ascites please?
Fortunately I have only known one friend with ascites and unfortunately she is no longer with us.
Like you, alcohol was her way of coping with her mental health problems and her physical pain.
All I can say to you is that alcohol is not the answer. Ascites is just the tip of the iceberg. Her body systematically failed to the point she couldn't walk to the toilet on her own. Towards the end even her brain was damaged and her partner was terrified of how he could possibly cope with her should she live.
A few days before her death, she decided she wanted to live, but it was too late even though the doctors fought hard for her. She was an intelligent, funny and beautiful person and now she's gone. This was only last year.
Please look for help and keep trying over and over again, you can get there, you can do it. Don't ever stop trying.
I promise this is my last post here, but... if you were asking us for advice on fear of falling when you were voluntarily standing on the edge of a cliff, would you get angry with us for suggesting you take a few steps backwards?
Ascites is pretty extreme and obvious. Alcohol consumption adds calories and nothing else other than misery, whether you are using it to self-medicate or not.
Your LFTs are normal..so you've been fortunate and have plenty of time to turn this around..But you have to take the first steps and acknowledge this.
Thanks for all the replies. I'm still none the wiser about Ascites but appreciate the messages about ditching the booze. I know this isn't an alcohol abuse disorder forum, but it is evident that people with addictions are not really welcomed here... I should have not posted about alcohol related issues so I apologise for any antagonism I have caused.
Hey Alcopop.
I was on here a few months back with the same issues, and similar to you was drinking 2 bottles of wine a day ish. I also got a bit of a tough love response, but we know as alcoholics it isn't that easy. No one just wakes up one day and quits. It's gonna take us a long while to pull away from our anxiety crutch. I'm 33 and also female. I worry constantly about my liver and health too. We know how bad it is for us but yet we continue to do it. That's how powerful our anxiety is.
My dad died last June of alcoholic liver disease, ascites and oesophagal bleed because of the failed liver. It was very sudden, the onset of cirrhosis and symptoms. But the medical examiner explained, this will have taken 10+ years to develop. My dad was a functional alcoholic. Ex professional footballer, then a whole career scouting for Premier league clubs. All the while battling alcoholism. The last few weeks he was here, he had severely swollen ankles and feet, yellow eyes and had lost extreme amounts of weight very quickly. He was falling over a lot. Hurts me type it. He was too scared for intervention because this was the height of UK lockdown number 1.
Anyway I'm rambling, but want you to know you're not alone, and don't feel guilty for using alcohol. I have now, after my dads death,sought private therapy which is focusing on my drinking and ocd/HA. She's giving me a stepwise approach, reducing each week. So I'll just pass on what I've done so far, and im now down to one bottle a day. Which is a victory, and I'll keep going. So tomorrow, pour out one glass from your two bottles. Down the sink. Try to keep doing that for a few days. Then another down the sink. And keep reducing. We don't have liver problems yet, my dad was 72. But we do need to start cutting down. PM if you need, hope you're OK Xx
So we are not doctors so cannot comment meaningfully on the likelihood of ascities. But, just applying common sense, I would’ve thought if your liver function tests are ok, you are unlikely to have ascites due to liver failure.
I know you didn’t come on here to talk about alcohol and you find it a bit frustrating that all the replies you have had have focused on this. However. It is clear to me that alcohol, which was being used to alleviate your health anxiety, is now actually CAUSING your health anxiety. This is not going to stop while you keep drinking. Therefore I would suggest alcohol is no longer useful to you. It is the problem not the solution.
Just to add, I've also found staggering when you have your first drink very effective. Hate to admit but I was at a point of drinking in the morning. I couldn't bear the thought of it now since my therapy. Put it off as long as you absolutely can. And you'll find you'll not fit in as much wine as you usually do. I try not to drink at all before 4pm now. Some sh*tty days i don't succeed, and it might be slightly earlier, but never in the morning now. The later you have that first drink, the less time you have before bed, and you've forced yourself to have a bit less. Hope this helps
I know this isn't an alcohol abuse disorder forum, but it is evident that people with addictions are not really welcomed here...
I do understand the defensive reaction but your statement is not warranted. It's like what BI said... "if you were asking us for advice on fear of falling when you were voluntarily standing on the edge of a cliff, would you get angry with us for suggesting you take a few steps backwards?" It's no different than smokers who post about lung cancer fears and other similar posts and fears. When the issue is clearly looking you right in the eye, should it be ignored? You have a gun pointing at your foot but we can't stop you from pulling the trigger :shrug:
Again, I hope you find the inner fortitude to address the issues you're facing. Believe me, I'll be the first to pat you on the back for each victory and I'm quite sure many will follow suite.
Positive thoughts
Thanks for all the replies. I'm still none the wiser about Ascites but appreciate the messages about ditching the booze. I know this isn't an alcohol abuse disorder forum, but it is evident that people with addictions are not really welcomed here... I should have not posted about alcohol related issues so I apologise for any antagonism I have caused.
I miss my friend - I still have messages on my phone from her.
I really wish you well on your journey.
Deleted - Didn’t quote the post I wanted to
Hey Alcopop.
I was on here a few months back with the same issues, and similar to you was drinking 2 bottles of wine a day ish. I also got a bit of a tough love response, but we know as alcoholics it isn't that easy. No one just wakes up one day and quits. It's gonna take us a long while to pull away from our anxiety crutch. I'm 33 and also female. I worry constantly about my liver and health too. We know how bad it is for us but yet we continue to do it. That's how powerful our anxiety is.
My dad died last June of alcoholic liver disease, ascites and oesophagal bleed because of the failed liver. It was very sudden, the onset of cirrhosis and symptoms. But the medical examiner explained, this will have taken 10+ years to develop. My dad was a functional alcoholic. Ex professional footballer, then a whole career scouting for Premier league clubs. All the while battling alcoholism. The last few weeks he was here, he had severely swollen ankles and feet, yellow eyes and had lost extreme amounts of weight very quickly. He was falling over a lot. Hurts me type it. He was too scared for intervention because this was the height of UK lockdown number 1.
Anyway I'm rambling, but want you to know you're not alone, and don't feel guilty for using alcohol. I have now, after my dads death,sought private therapy which is focusing on my drinking and ocd/HA. She's giving me a stepwise approach, reducing each week. So I'll just pass on what I've done so far, and im now down to one bottle a day. Which is a victory, and I'll keep going. So tomorrow, pour out one glass from your two bottles. Down the sink. Try to keep doing that for a few days. Then another down the sink. And keep reducing. We don't have liver problems yet, my dad was 72. But we do need to start cutting down. PM if you need, hope you're OK Xx
This is such an honest post. So sorry for your loss, but also I think you are brilliant for seeking help for yourself and starting to get better.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Just to add, I've also found staggering when you have your first drink very effective. Hate to admit but I was at a point of drinking in the morning. I couldn't bear the thought of it now since my therapy. Put it off as long as you absolutely can. And you'll find you'll not fit in as much wine as you usually do. I try not to drink at all before 4pm now. Some sh*tty days i don't succeed, and it might be slightly earlier, but never in the morning now. The later you have that first drink, the less time you have before bed, and you've forced yourself to have a bit less. Hope this helps
You are incredibly brave, LF87. I wish you all the very best for your therapy but have no doubt that you will conquer your unhelpful behaviours. I'm sure your posts will have resonated with alcopop.
Thank you both so much. I hope I can conquer them too, if there's a will there's a way! X
Hi
As you can probably tell I'm going through another HA bout at the moment. I've just had a panic attack and very shaky.
I noticed that when I look down at my abdomen, the bit just above my bellybutton sticks out ever so slightly (like a small hill) right in the centre.
Does anyone else's abdomen look like that when looking down at it?
I've been trying to Google images of other people but not found much. Absolutely petrified it is ascites or the beginning of.
I am overweight so it could be fat but the way it sticks out slightly more is freaking me out.
Thanks in advance
mark212312
06-08-21, 13:26
Have a look at diastasis recti - I’m having physio for it as the moment as mine is fairly large.
The most common cause of ascites is cirrhosis and if you had cirrhosis advanced enough to cause ascites you would have other symptoms.
This is just anxiety.
The most common cause of ascites is cirrhosis and if you had cirrhosis advanced enough to cause ascites you would have other symptoms.
This is just anxiety.
Very well may be so but....
I drink about 2 bottles of wine a night or 8/9 pints lager/beer.
FMP
I didn’t see that bit about the drinking but even still ascites doesn’t present with one tiny area of your abdomen sticking out a tiny bit.
See your doctor if you concerned and know that your not doing your liver any favors drinking that much.
nomorepanic
08-08-21, 15:53
Hi
This is just a courtesy reply to let you know that your thread was merged with another of your threads.
Please when posting on similar topics add it onto your previous post rather than starting a new one.
It is nothing personal it is just to make it easier for people to follow your story and to give you advice as a whole.
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