I'm I too young?

[mom244]

I have been drinking since 18. I drank everyday and have had many black outs. I did go to rehab at age 19 but I thought I was to young to have a problem. Now I'm 25 and my liver is really bothering me. I am so scared to go to the doctors to let them know how much I actually drink. No one knows how much but me. Can anyone give me some advice?

[mom244]

Thanks so much for the advice and you are right, my kids are the world. And like I said I have been sober for 6 days now but my liver still bothers me (not painful) just under my chest on the right side. On top of it all...I don't have insurence...that's holding me back too. Can I ask how long you have been sober for?

[mom244]

You know what? I pray every night that doesn't happen! I would never drive them...I would have to call 911 cause I don't have any friends or family where we live now. Then I sometimes think of a reason to tell them why I am drinking on a tuesday night all by myself...even though I know they won't believe me. But just so everyone knows...I haven't drank for 6 days now (ever since my liver started bothering me)!!

[ibizan]

ok that good......harm reduction with not driving and staying put!i posed this to another girl who got mad....musta hit a nerve..but she is home alone with young children and drinks at nite...i said to her what if u were drinking,had a buzz on..kids were asleep and one woke up sick and had to go to ER?and no one to help drive u there...what would u do?i work in substance abuse field and have seen this happen...mom drives child to ER with buzz on......they smell alcohol or a policeperson in there 2 smell as well...by law they have to call childrens services...u may think i'm an alarmist but i've seen BIG PROBLEMS arise out of this!

[mom244]

I actually don't start drinking until night time. And I would never drink and drive but I do understand what you are saying.

[ibizan]

would u refuse help for a broken leg?ur a mother,children are important and this drinking is life threatening to u and potentially to them as an impaired caregiver...sure hope u don't drive after drinking and/or have them in the car!this disease KILLS!i watch it do so on a daily basis!

[mom244]

It's easier said than done. I guess I'm afraid of them looking down on me because I am a mom. And they wouldn't suggest rehab again would they?

[townie8394]

Hi mom24!  Just want you to know that I understand what you're going through. Please try to understand that you have to admit to yourself 1st, that you have a problem. If you really want to seek help...tell your doctor EVERYTHING! They are NOT there to judge you and if you aren't upfront and honest about what's bothering you than you can keep lying to yourself and deny you have a problem.My philosophy has been that if you know you have a problem what's the point of trying to seek help if you don't tell your doc. everything???  PLEASE!... DON'T be ashamed...It's a disease...nothing you can control but if you get help and are honest with doctors about it only then will you get the help you need. Much love & prayers. Townie.

[MJIthewriter]

I think being honest would be a good first step. You have nothing to lose except your health, well being (and liver).

People who've been in your situation will be able to offer you their advice.  I'm just a crazy writer with a facination with the disease and love to study it.

[Jacker]

I just went through this recently so I can sympathize.  Do not let yourself get embarassed about going to the doctor.  It's their job to give you medical advice -not to make value judgements.  If you don't want to tell your regular GP, go to someone else.  I actually went to ain internal medicine specialist.  You can go there without a referral.

No matter what, the first thing they'll do is a blood test.  If your blood test shows normal readings, that's good, but don't let them stop there.  Ask for a CT Scan or a Sonagram of your liver.  That will give a better indication of where things stand

A liver Biopsy will give you the true scoop, but my specialist stopped with the CT Scan and blood test.  In my case, it idicated a fatty liver with normal bloodwork (after abstaining from beer for several weeks).  

You're pretty young- if you can face this problem now, (and deal with it), you'll probably pull through (provided you stop drinking).

I was also to embarassed to tell my regular GP. That's why I went to the Internal Medcine Specialist.  Once you start facing (and dealing) with the problem, you'll get past the embarssment.  Just look at it as a health issue that you have to work on.

You will be a happy person once you stop drinking.  The first week is tough - the first month is okay, but sill difficult.  After a few months, you'll probably wonder why alcohol was so important to you.  (although temptation is alwasy there).

Again, please don't be embarassed in front of the medical professionals.  You are not the first person with this problem.  I'm no expert - I just got past this myself, and I can  tell you that is it much better on the other side.