Newly sober, with fatty liver...am SO scared I have gone past point of repair????

[Lboogie1977]

Hello All and Happy New Year..I am 36 years young, but have been an alcoholic for 16. Two years ago I had a ultrasound, as I had alot of pains,and the result was a fatty liver...but, without proper help, I chose to drown my sorrows and worries , instead of choosing health. I have lost a few loved ones in the past few months and realize it is definately time to change. This is my first month of sobriety and my question is if I don't have the means to go to the doctor again, can anybody tell me if I have gone past the healing point, chirrosis, or do I still have a chance??? I am so scared, but just want to live a healthier life now. Peace and love to all

[Dee1956]

oops I see life ins turned you down, sorry, sometimes in my zeal to help I miss a word or two, I am working on that

[Dee1956]

Hi I think it takes time to get everything calmed down.

When I am tested for my diabetes, they say to wait 10 weeks.  If I were you I would start drinking water to help your liver work better and flush it out.  I would stop all red meats, lunch meats, fast foods, fried and fatty foods.  Even try to watch your sugar intake.

Don't drink, that could have affected the test, if you had a drink the night before the test.  I remember getting tested and my doctor would ask if I had a beer or wine the night before.

Check out all of your medications to see if they could cause a problem with your liver.

Of course this diet is just for the 10 to 12 weeks until you are tested again to see how you are doing.  If there is a liver problem then you would need to stay on this diet for life.

Everything you eat, drink, put on your body has to be processed by the liver.  I think once I found this out I was able to think first before eating anything.  I don't drink any thing but water now.  My numbers are better than they have been in many many years.

I am not saying we have the same thing, just saying that changing your diet can help.  Anything that is hard on the liver will cause it to inflame and then you get the elevated numbers.

Please keep in touch
D

I am shocked that an insurance company can turn you down.  I thought the new affordable care act took care of that.  I am not a doctor but your AST and ALT don't look that high to me.  I don't know what the range is for the GGT and ALK
Is that the only reason they turned you down?  I also never heard of blood work being done before getting health insurance.  Was this for life insurance?  Did they find something else during the testing that they are not telling you?

[Whatsup602]

I was just turned down by a life insurance company they said my
GGT 334,  Alk phos 155 AST 40 ALT 63  
Is the reason, I had a test a couple years ago and the levels were lower but still considered high and my Dr said nothing to worry about.  I am an occasional drinker but have stopped completely since results.  How long should I go with no drinks before I am retested   Should I go do something now ---I get different thoughts from different sites..  

[Dee1956]

Hi I don't think you have gone past the point of no return.  It is never to late to change.  A fatty liver can happen to people who have never had a drink.  I have a friend who has NASH, it is from being over weight and having diabetes that is not controlled.
There is another one called NALFD. both of these are non alcoholic liver diseases.

You have taken a big step by stopping the alcohol.  You could also try to increase the amount of water you drink.  Stop eating fast food, fatty, fried food.  Start eating more vegetables and fruit.  Try to start a walking program.
Anything you can do to take the stress off the liver has to help.  Many people with cirrhosis are told to stop red meat as it is hard for the liver to handle.  You also may want to check the side effects of any medications you are on.  
I will try to find some more information.

Congratulations on taking the first step,  Baby steps is what I tell myself.  Please keep in touch
Chat back when you can.

Dee

[Lboogie1977]

Hello there! And thank you so very much for your reply. I'm sure everybody's situation may turn out different, but having someone say it will get better, does   give me much relief. I just discovered this site, and it's really sweet to know I'm not alone, have support, and can get good info. Thanks again, and the best to you and yours.

[CML2014]

Well I have made an apt with a Gastroenterologist, who also deals with the liver. I guess I will know more after my apt on Monday the 13th. I also have GERD and after the Liver findings I am not taking any chances, so I will ask to have an endoscopy to make sure things are ok.

I must say I was shocked to hear I had an enlarged Liver. Thought the GERD and Being a ex- 3 pack a day smoker would get me. So I figure I better get these 2 areas checked out also--I was trying to ignore issues with them--so we will see what happens with the doc.

I will keep you posted. I think I take too many vitamin supplements and they may have had a toxic effect .

Congratulations on your sobriety!

CM

[bobdylan1958]

Hi CML2014 ,

i am sorry to hear you have a fatty Liver for the time you been Sober , I have been told by my Dr that my Liver has reduced over time . There must be something else happening to your Liver , are you taking any Med's that may cause trouble to you .
Cause iv'e been on certain Med's were they have taken Blood Samples and keeping an eye on my Liver (Lithium) all come back fine.
I recently had a PET Scan to which i am awaiting results , as i suffer from COPD , are you receiving any kind of treatment if so what are the Drs saying to you if you don't mind me asking ,
May i wish you good Health for 2014 ,  

[CML2014]

Hi bob,

I am on this thread because I was just diagnosed with enlarged liver and fatty liver. I am also a recovering alcoholic and am on that thread as well.

My question to you is It has been 27 years since my last drink---I had wondered if all that drinking was what caused this condition. You say the liver heals--Does that mean that you reversed the enlarged liver over time?

If so then mine cannot be from the drinking, but it would be good to know there are things I can do to reverse my situation.

Please give me some feedback on your situation adn what I might do to reverse mine.

Appreciate your time.
CM

[bobdylan1958]

Hi you have done the best thing by putting the Drink down , try and enjoy your Sobriety One day at a time as they say , regarding your liver it will heal but slowly , i had an enlarged liver cause of the Drink , like you took no notice what Doctors said to me , i did pack in the drink in the end my liver was shot to bits , but in time it healed , Please stay off the Booze , the First drink does the Damage , Take care ,