Hi all. I'm currently having a terrible anxiety thinking I've wrecked my liver through drinking.
I'm female, 34 and have been drinking more than I should for about 10 years now ever since a nasty breakup and to cope with health anxiety (ironic, I know). I only really drink beers, and am recently drinking up to seven cans an evening on bad days or 5 on other nights. It's become a total habit and I have tried to stop in the past, but I really do want to stop and lose weight etc.
I have been getting a dull pain below my right ribs lately, and the area feels full, especially when breathing in.
From reading others' posts here and elsewhere, I seem to be drinking a lot more than most, and I fear I really am on the worst end of drinkers in terms of how much.
I am terrified I have fudged my liver up and will need a transplant or something. I am a bag of nerves and cannot eat due to the anxiety. I feel a bit itchy all over too which I'm worried is the cirrhosis... Argh. I hate myself for having no willpower and putting beer before my health.
I have had liver function tests in the past, and they have come back as fine...but I'm worried my recent lockdown drinking has pushed my liver to the brink.
I have made an appointment with the doctor explaining I am worried and have been drinking a lot, requesting a liver function test.
Is the amount I drink at a shocking level to you? I really need some advice and reassurance as I'm in a terrible mess.
How likely is it I could be diagnosed with Cirrhosis without any of the other liver-related symptoms such as jaundice, ascites, dark urine etc? Like, would there be several warning signs, interventions, fatty liver diagnosis before the point of getting to cirrhosis?
I'm going out of my mind with worry.
I am not drinking tonight for the first time in years and my anxiety is through the roof.
Thanks in advance. I feel so very ashamed and embarrassed.