1. Community
  2. Mental health
  3. Alcohol Consumption

Change in complexion

Posted , 7 users are following.

nicole36330
nicole36330

I think I've said this before on here but Im under local alcohol services and have had 2 LFT's in the last 6 months and all come back normal.But I KNOW my completion has changed over the last couple of years and I look darker,I'm very fair so I've really noticed it.The doctor and caseworker don't think I look jaundiced so I'm wondering what else it can be.I get quite an ache in the liver region and have been getting a sharp pain in my left shoulder and sometimes under my left shoulder blade but not all the time

Thanks for any input

0 likes, 14 replies

14 Replies

  • RHGB
    RHGB nicole36330

    Posted

    You are asking for a diagnosis over the internet from unqualified people, I do hope you take the answers with a pinch of salt. If you are worried, see your GP or speak to the doctor at the rehab centre - do not put much emphasis on my post.

    The liver has no nerve endings, so it produces no pain. The step down from jaundiced is 'pallor', but that leads to a lighter shade not darker. I had it when my jaundice subsided.

    The one that fits your pain symptoms and I have seen it asked many times on forums, is pancreatis. I can't give you links because it will get modded. So Google, but here are some snippets.

    Acute pancreatitis is sudden swelling and inflammation of the pancreas.

    Acute pancreatitis affects men more often than women. Certain diseases, surgeries, and habits make you more likely to develop this condition. The two most common causes of pancreatitis in the United States are heavy alcohol use and gallstones.

    Alcohol use is responsible for up to 70% of cases in the United States. Acute pancreatitis typically requires 5 to 8 drinks per day for 5 or more years.

    The main symptom of pancreatitis is pain felt in the upper left side or middle of the abdomen. The abdominal pain:

    May spread (radiate) to the back or below the left shoulder blade

    • nicole36330
      nicole36330 RHGB

      Posted

      I've read this as well RH,and it seems to fit my symptoms but the doctor is quite dismissive.

      I will mention it again when I see her in Tuesday.This is the doctor at local alcohol services.When I told her last time about the symptoms she did mention the gallbladder.I will have to make an appointment to see my gp I think

    • RHGB
      RHGB nicole36330

      Posted

      Do the appointment with your GP anyway. Do not ask your GP what is up, say that you are worried about pancreatis and that you would like blood tests done or whatever tests it is they do.

      Remember, if you ask your doctor, he can say he doesn't think you have it. If you ask your doctor for tests he can say they are not needed. But if you tell him that you want the tests, then he has to say no, and people generally try to avoid confrontation. I obviously don't mean swagger in and demand it, but phrase it correctly, so there is very little wriggle room.

  • Misssy2
    Misssy2 nicole36330

    Posted

    I'm glad you are seeing the Dr. again Tuesday because we can all drive ourselves crazy with diagnosis....Write down all your questions so you don't forget!

     

  • BK522
    BK522 nicole36330

    Posted

    Nicole my LFT came back normal and I was prescribed Nalmefene - i.e. Continue drinking on the tablets your liver is not THAT in danger for us to advise you to stop drinking immediately. But I too feel tenderness in my liver and am constantly bloated.
    • nicole36330
      nicole36330 BK522

      Posted

      I have been taking naltrexone from a private doctor but am getting Nalmefene on Tuesday on a normal prescription but they wanted me to stop the naltrexone and have 2 alcohol free days to make sure I won't have withdrawal symptoms.So I've been off the naltrexone for a week and a half and my drinking had gone up again but it's just a small blip as far as I'm concerned
    • BK522
      BK522 nicole36330

      Posted

      I've been on Nalmefene for 3 weeks and unfortunately haven't seen a drop in my drinking yet. I'm still drinking 13 units a night and feel I need that much for "the buzz". I'm persevering, as the tablet leaflet says I will notice a reduction in drinking within a month. I suppose I have cut down from 15 units to 13 of a weekday. But tomorrow I will be finishing work for 4 days and I'm already aware that my brain is thinking "you can drink two bottles as you don't have to go to work, you have nothing to get up for".

      I feel I could quite easily drink that tonight, only I know I have to go to work tomorrow so I won't... Nightmare.

    • nicole36330
      nicole36330 BK522

      Posted

      You sound just like me although I was at one point drinking up to 3 bottles a day.I can easily drink 2 bottles a day if not more but I'm trying to keep it to 1.5.

      On the Natrexone I had got it down to 1 bottle on average and I was only on it for 3 weeks so hoping when I get the Nalmefene it will work as well if not better,I know it's a long process though

      Good luck

    • RHGB
      RHGB nicole36330

      Posted

      It make my blood boil, these alcohol centres. Why on earth if they think you're going to suffer a withdrawal, do they not give you a reduced course detox of diazepam or similar. A week is plenty, if you're only going to suffer mild symptoms, 3 or 4 days would cover it. The pills cost pence.

      When I first met the doctor at the alcohol centre I'm attending, I told him what had happened and how I had been detoxed on diazepam by my GP. He poo poo'd it, tutted and then began to say that the way to do a detox, is 'x' medicine for a week and then 'y' medicine for however long.

      Now, the doctor at the current centre, had already said that judging by the medications I have, I probably had liver failure in hospital, he was trying to point out the seriouness of it.

      So bearing that in mind I said, well I went to my GP, because he was willing to give me something, do you think I should have waited two to three months (at a different branch of the same alcohol charity) knowing how bad my system is, what would you choose. he had to say no, of course not, under the circumstances it was the right move.

      I really struggle with what planet are these people on.

    • nicole36330
      nicole36330 RHGB

      Posted

      It's all a sort of red tape,boxes to tick ect ect,

      I know I don't suffer withdrawals but I'm playing the game and will get my prescription on Tuesday smile

    • Paper_fairy
      Paper_fairy nicole36330

      Posted

      Hi Nicole. Not seen all your posts yet. Need to know why you've stopped from naltrexone to nalmephene? Me being on naltrexone. I thought they were the same thing( apart from having to have liver tests). ? X
    • nicole36330
      nicole36330 Paper_fairy

      Posted

      My local alcohol services (where my doctor sent me) has agree to prescribe my Nalmefene (they don't use naltrexone).I was getting naltrexone from a private doctor with a private prescription and it was costing me a lot.This way my care with this drug will be under the NHS and only cost the price of a regular presecription,but yes they do the same job
  • Paper_fairy
    Paper_fairy nicole36330

    Posted

    Hi Nicole, thanks for answering that question. Hope you get on well with it. Keep us posted x
  • Richardt
    Richardt nicole36330

    Posted

    If you look yellow, that's jaundice, yellow skin and eyes.
Back to top

Report or request deletion

Thanks for your help!

We want the community to be a useful resource for our users but it is important to remember that the community are not moderated or reviewed by doctors and so you should not rely on opinions or advice given by other users in respect of any healthcare matters. Always speak to your doctor before acting and in cases of emergency seek appropriate medical assistance immediately. Use of the community is subject to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and steps will be taken to remove posts identified as being in breach of those terms.