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Any Advice is Greatly Appreciated ! - Alcohol

Posted , 4 users are following.

Andy500
Andy500

Hey Guys, hope everyone is well during these tough times.

Just need some advice from you guys if possible.

Bit about me

  • 30 years old
  • Male
  • Height - 5'6 - (168cm)
  • Weight - 52-55kg (114lb-120lb) - always been a slim guy, but recently weight has increased and been more around 55kg most of the time, I have always paid close attention to my body, so when I look in the mirror I look exactly the same as before but with a bigger abdomen. (weighed at same time every morning after using the toilet)
  • Been drinking excessively - around 60 units per week for 3 years straight - no breaks

Symptoms

  • Pale/white stools in May 2020 - (on and off for about a month then disappeared)
  • Abdomen area looks very big compared to the rest of the body and very similar to ascites pictures (first noticed in May 2020 also)
  • When I poke/push abdomen area with fingers/hand it goes in and comes out and kind of "flubbs" like if you would push jelly.

I started drinking around October 2017 and stopped in October 2020, and drank 60units per week on average for the 3 years, without breaks. Prior to that I hardly ever drank, the main reason was difficult times, I wasn't really addicted, it was just to relax, and I stopped completely - cold turkey, and have no urge to start again.

When I saw the swollen abdomen, I told my GP, who booked me in for a CT scan or Ultrasound (I can't remember which one) in July 2020 and the results came back all normal. Are ascites hard to detect if they are small/very small? When I look in the mirror, my abdomen looks huge compared to my body, but it keeps fluctuating every day (some days big, some days smaller, but overall nothing like I have ever seen in my life before)

I am really worried and unsure what to do, so any advice from you guys is greatly appreciated. In regards to what tests to request from my doctor, and also being in this coronavirus pandemic and also having asthma, being scared to go to any tests in the hospital.

Thanks guys, Stay Safe!

0 likes, 4 replies

4 Replies

  • Robin2015
    Robin2015 Andy500

    Posted

    Hello Andy. I am baffled that your doctor cannot do more for you. It does not sound normal and more should be done. Are you now three months sober if you stopped in October. Get an alternative opinion. I know i would. Regards Robin

    • Andy500
      Andy500 Robin2015

      Posted

      Hi Robin2015, Thanks for your reply.

      Yes my stomach/abdomen area definitely does not look normal, and it has never looked it this.

      From what I have been reading from this forum and other forums I thought Ultrasound/CT Scan was the gold standard for determining ascites or other liver problems, What are the other tests I can request? or get more information ?

      Thanks

    • Robin2015
      Robin2015 Andy500

      Posted

      Ascites on website guts charity org uk looks interesting

  • Robin2015
    Robin2015 Andy500

    Posted

    Hello Andy. I am not a doctor and cannot give you advice? I do not even know what ascites means? Please check with your doctor. Great that you stopped drinking if i understood you correctly. Best of luck. Robin

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