vomiting blood

[townie8394]

I'm a 46 yr. old alcoholic. This past month my drinking has gotten progressively worse. This past week, I threw up blood twice. On both occasions I hadn't eaten all day, just drank many beers. There was no stomach pain. I felt acidity in my esophagus, throat? I forced myself to eat afterward, even though I had pain swallowing. I felt fine the next day. I'm scared to death, but I'm still drinking. I know I need help but I'm scared to quit. I've already been in rehab once. Was sober for a few months and fell off the wagon again. In my 20's i was hospitalized for anorexia, bulimia. I've seen numerous therapists, psychiatrist, but I feel like I'm a lost cause. Once one addiction is tamed, the other one surfaces. All I've seen to get out of the help I've gotten is more debt. Do I have to hit bottom (god forbid what that may be) to stop. HELP!

[MJIthewriter]

If you're vomiting up blood on any occasion, run not walk to your doctor or nearest health clinic. This may be an emergency! (or at least a sign of cancer)

Vomiting blood on any occasion is a serious concern (especially with the variables you express). There should be free services available for your area to check out.

Here's some things to look up:
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/vomiting-blood/DG00045

[MJIthewriter]

As far as hitting bottom goes, you have to decide. It's easy for me to say, I think you are pretty darn close! (and definantely finding help and decide to quit would be another wise thing to do, but I think you know that already.)

[Jacker]

Your "bottom" is likely to be something irreparable if you continue drinking.  You can still have a life if you stop now.  Please, go see the doctor.  Your body is trying to tell you something.  

I'm 42 and I drank until fairly recently - it definetly caused some health problems, but it looks as if they will be manageable or reverse.  If I'd kept it up for much longer, the health issues would have been much worse.  Same thing as you... ; I drank astounding amounts of beer during the last few months of my drinking career.  

[Louise111]

My husband has drank beer for the last 40 years or so....he's 62 now, and has Stage 4 Liver Disease (Cirrhosis)....End Stage......for the last 15 years or so, he'd drink three 6-packs of Coors LIght.......in 2003 he had a Stomache Varices episode  (vomiting blood
because a vein expands with built up blood, then burst, causing the person to vomit tons of old blood........He just got out of Rehab last week.....is on 15 meds a day (a lot are vitamins, sleep aids, nutritional meds, as well as water pills, anti-depressants)  He's not drinking....hope he can stay in Stage 4 for a long while and maybe get a Liver Transplant.            Gold bless you....................don't let stupid beer be the cause of life threatening health issues.......so many illness we cannot avoid.....Alcoholic LIver Disease is preventable...................
Louise111

[townie8394]

I cried when I read your response. May God watch over you and your husband. I know Id need to stop drinking. I grew away from the Chuch but since my 25 yr. old daughter got bells palsy last month, I've turned to God for help. And help, He did because she fully recovered. I am leaving this in His hands and hope He gives me the strength to get rid of this demon I've been battling because I know I can't do it on my own. I'm new to this site.. don't know how I found it but it's so good to be able to hear other people's stories and know that I'm not the only one out there struggling. God Bless you, too.

[townie8394]

I'm new to this site and just learning the ins & outs of it. I think I sent a msg. to your personal site? If so, sorry. Thanks for caring.

[townie8394]

Just wanted to let you know that I'm new to this site and I think I sent a msg. to your personal page? If so, sorry. And also, thanks for caring

[Louise111]

You have the strength to stop drinking...it's hard, but it can be done.....I hope my husband's sobriety is not "Too Little, Too Late".....but he's never smoked or drank coffee....always was an athlete, football, baseball, golf...always walked 4 to 5 miles a day, at a quick pace....maybe God will give him one more chance, or a least 2-3 more years.  We sold our lovely home in CT and built our dream home in FL.....for our retirement....we both had great careers in Law Enforcement...he did 31 years, I did 20.  We've been down here 3 years....I'd hate to lose my husband....a beautiful house, nice cars, don't mean a thing if you lose the one you love, and who loves you.  Sorry to hear about your daughter....my friend had Bell's Palsy a few years ago....he's fine now....when he's tired, one of his eyes "droops" sort of....we just laugh and say, "oh well, guess you're tired.   Be strong, Townie......this is a wonderful life, sober, more so than with a 'buzz'......my husband is naturally a quiet guy, a little shy, not a great public speaker....he thought drinking made him the "life of the party", a funny guy....very sociable and talkative....but you know, most everyone said that they like him better, quiet and reserved....more respectable, not that he was ever nasty....just to corny, especially at weddings....he'd want to dance with all the gals......they would to humor him.....but you can tell when someone thinks "too much is too much".... Anyway, I'll wish you the best of luck.  No one knows our fate on this earth....only our Almighty Father, so celebrate each day, enjoy the moment, do not dwell on the past, nor obsess about the future.  Take each day slowly and simply.  God bless.  Hope to hear from you.  This site gives me comfort to be able to speak with other folks with the same issues of concern.
Sincerely,
Louise111

[MJIthewriter]

You're welcome. I sent you a message  back.  Though I cannot fully relate to your experiance, I do try to reach out and help people in general. I'm a writer and through my research, I've come to read several stories both sad and inspiring. From what I've read, some people thought they were hopeless, but found faith in something and worked hard at it. Having faith in a higher power seems to really help those people who have shared their stories I've read.

[Louise111]

I just re-read your first posting.....even though you vomitted blood.....that is a subtle sign.  My husband used vomitg a little blood,  had acidity in stomach for a long time; he used to take "Gaviscon" like it was candy....that was at least 10 years ago.....if he quit drinking back then (at age 52) he'd be in great health now.....if whatever damage he did to his liver back then was not more serious than a 'fatty' liver, then his quality of life would be normal now....fatty liver is probably a Stage 1 Liver Disease condition....then it gets worse....Fibrosis, Hepatitic, Cirrhosis......the Liver is the only organ in the body that can 're-juvenate' itself, provided it's not too far gone, like Cirrhosis.  So, if you are just starting to throw up a little blood.....then you can still stop drinking and get healthy.  You're still young, heck, I'm 56 and 46 seems like yesterday.   In 10 years, you'll be 56, and you'll say that you've been sober and healthy for 10 years.  It's not easy, probably the hardest thing you will ever do in your life, but the most important thing you will ever do.  You will treat your body like a temple, in homage to God, who gave you life.  He only gave us one body, one set of organs, one 'trip' on this earth....some of us stay longer thans others, don't know how God plans it that way, or why, but that's how it is.  We have to treasure each moment on this earth, for we will never "pass this way again".  We will never 'repeat' March 10, 2003, for example!!!  God Bless, stay strong.  Talk to you soon.
Fondly,
Louise111

[susieq87]

It could be a bleeding ulcer, very serious stuff.  You'll quit when you have decided enough is enough.  I don't feel you necessary have to go back into treatment.  Go to AA Get a Sponsor.

[Jacker]

I sent you a message back - have a great day.  I'll keep you in my prayers.