does this make sense?

[-143]

I know my liver enzymes are elevated but I also have had gallstones for years.....I have some achiness in that area sometimes but it leaves when I start drinking. Is that normal???

[Byrdlady]

does this make sense?

-143,
No, it doesn't make sense. Remember, we are ordinary folks like you....we aren't medical pros and it would be downright irresponsible for any of us to try and predict what is causing your pain. But there is one thing we are experts on, and that is the power of AL addiction. Like any place on the internet, you can read anything you want to hear... i am afraid Im going to say something you dont want to hear. I have read your posts, you are a heavy drinker with elevated liver enzymes, what do YOU think the answer is? There seems to be a big, gray thing in the room that has 2 tusks and a trunk. If you are having pain in the area of your liver and your liver enzymes are off, what do you think the best course of action would be? To drink, to alleviate the pain? You can not live without your liver. Alcoholism is an awful disease, it makes you think Black when you clearly see white. It makes you choose IT over all else. It is a relentless compulsion. Even now, knowing what you know, you are willing to ignore the obvious. I know that the thoughts of quitting AL may be the last resort, but I think you are running out of options. If you are like me, you can give into it and drink yourself to death, or you can quit. 2 choices...no more. As alkie's we cant just cut down, that IS the problem. Give your liver a break and quit, you will he amazed at how liberating it is. I am sure you are tuning me out and rolling your eyes, but you can believe me about the 2 choices. I choose life!
I am going to speak from my experience and 4 years of observation....there are 2 sure signs you are an alkie, one is when you try to do 30 days af and realize you can't, the second is when you decide to moderate. Get quit and stay quit, you will never regret it. You are playing Russian roulette with your life. AL is NOT worth it. Byrdie

[frances]

does this make sense?

B. - - I hesitated to respond to you earlier because I know you felt like you did not like the responses you received when you originally posted - when I read back over the responses I was not sure what was said that you didn't like but I guess it was the advice to quit drinking - that is the normal advice here, especially when just starting out, and especially for your case. I read about elevated liver enzymes after I saw your post - all the advice that I read was to stop drinking. Not just to cut back. Also, the description you gave of what your reduced intake is does not fit the description of low levels of alcohol (or moderate) - 5-7 drinks daily is not moderate drinking and will continue to do damage to your liver. Alcohol is poison to your liver.

I know you have said that you are not ready to quit - but I agree with Byrdie -if you want your liver to go back to normal, the very first thing you need to do is to stop drinking. It is not easy - it is very hard in fact - but you will feel so much better for it! Please stick around and please give this very careful consideration. You will be in my prayers.

[available]

does this make sense?

I must say that everything left when i was drinking, my backaches, my liver aches, my chest pain, my motivation, my decision making skills, my speech, my balance. Of course everything stops aching when you are drinking. You are drunk, you dont feel pain, god i felt nothing once i was drinking, that is why i drank so i could feel nothing, until i woke up the next day and the pain would be back. The pain of living being a drunk.

[-143]

does this make sense?

Thanks for your thoughts but this is my walk.....and I'm choosing to try it this way for now. If it doesn't work then I'll go for being totally af. And I never said I was drinking to stop the pain.....I said when I drink the achiness stops. I've had this achiness for years from the gallstones way before I started drinking heavy. I'm just paying closer attention to everything in my body now because of my situation. But please keep me in your prayers....thanks!

[CrazyCatLady]

does this make sense?

I think any positive change should be celebrated. If you've cut back significantly - even if it's not down to moderate levels - that's a step in the right direction and an achievement to be proud of. It would be best if we would all abstain, eat our veggies, get eight hours of sleep and regular exercise, but it's up to us to weigh the risks against the rewards of our behaviors and decide for ourselves.

As to your pain: beat's me. Alcohol blunts all kinds of mental and physical discomfort, so that's not surprising. I wouldn't view it as evidence that alcohol is good for you.

Have you looked into supplements that can protect your liver some when you drink (e.g. evening primrose oil, NAC, vitamin C, thiamine, etc.)?