The Perils of Hard Boozin.

I'm in my mid 50's and had a liver transplant 6 weeks ago due to hard drinking for about 40 years. My liver had crapped out. Once that happens there's no pill to bring it back. Quitting after cells die won't bring it back either. That's the background.

I was diagnosed with cirrhosis Oct. 6th of last year, haven't had a drink since. That didn't stop me from getting sicker and sicker though. Some days I didn't have the strength to turn over in bed. Thinking was so fuzzy I didn't know what season it was. I was in and out of the hospital most of last winter and spring. Some of the summer too. THAT is not fun, along with feeling like crap. That's bad enough but along with it there were restrictions. Like no/little sodium in your diet. There's salt in EVERYTHING. Also limited fluid intake as the liver can take the kidneys down with it as was in my case. Living on 1 liter(about a quart and a quarter) of fluid a day is damn near impossible.

Then the transplant. Those restrictions were still in place for the first month as the new liver got acquainted with my body and the kidneys healed. Those WILL heal. This operation takes a helluva toll on the body. I went from about 210lbs to my current 157...in 2 months. Granted a lot of it was fluid but muscle mass depleted drastically. It's starting to come back as I get more active but I have to pace my recovery or complications can arise and I don't want to go through that again.

Now I have to take about 24 pills a day. They will decrease over time as my body gets accustomed to the foreign organ but will always be on them to prevent my immune system from attacking the liver. THAT leaves you open to infection as they are designed to quell your immune system. Gotta be careful about getting wet/damp. Kissing my grandson when he's sick is out of the question. Even close contact. And there is a liquid I had to squirt, swirl and swallow after meals and before bed to prevent throat infections.

Now for the fun part with the meds. The Prednisone screws with the blood sugars. Shoots them through the roof. I may have to go on insulin, which I've never had to take before. The Prograff screws with the potassium. That means twice a day with this chalky crap that makes you want to puke.

Sound like fun? Being the smartass that I am, and you know so well I said my whole adult like jokingly, "The liver is evil and must be punished." Hahaha. The joke ended up being on me. Now I have no problem not drinking. I can drink Budweiser Prohibition:



Nonalcoholic and surprisingly drinkable. The rest is a pain in the ass but the alternative isn't appealing.

So if you're a heavy drinker get your liver functions checked out before you go too far and end up here. What you don't know can kill you. Everyone thought I was going to die. Damn near did. If I had to wait much longer for a donor this thread probably wouldn't have happened.

I hope this helps someone.

ETA: Forgot to mention that I have to wear sunscreen(which I hate. Feels weird) due to the meds. They leave you open to a quick burn and possible skin cancer.

a reply to: intrepid

I have an ex father in law thats 69 years old.
He's been in a nursing home for 8 years now with alcohol induced dementia.

Alcohol abuse is very dangerous

Just get better, Intrepid.

We like you around here.

a reply to: intrepid

I lost my brother to liver failure less than a year ago - he was on the transplant list but we didn't get a donor fast enough. As a matter of fact, it was his birthday a few days ago (a tough day to say the least), his twin is still here and to me, he embodies both of them now, kind of a beautiful thing, but still a void is left behind. My beloved brother's legacy will live on and my family and I honor him the best we can. I will reunite with him some day...

I do have a question intrepid. I understood that when an organ is damaged due to something like alcohol or drug abuse, it lowers your chances of receiving a transplant. Did you encounter additional hurdles/wait periods as a result of this?

I'm wishing you the very best with your new liver - it sounds like you are grateful to have a 2nd chance and are making the most of it. I understand the medicine you had to take once you have a transplant can be a burden, but it sure beats the alternative! Happy to hear that you will be sticking around longer my friend. Take care.

a reply to: intrepid

Obviously a different disease but my brother in law just passed away last Thursday from liver cancer....13 days from diagnosis to death.
He was just a social drinker....maybe a couple beers or mixed drinks on the weekend.
You say 40 years of hard drinking....was that drinking everyday?.....just curious.

From first hand experience, alcohol is very dangerous. We're so concerned about gun death in the USA, check out alcohol related deaths. That being said, free will, enjoy if you can. Personally I can't just have one drink, or chocolate chip cookies. I want them all, I'm addicted to more!!

originally posted by: FamCore
I do have a question intrepid. I understood that when an organ is damaged due to something like alcohol or drug abuse, it lowers your chances of receiving a transplant. Did you encounter additional hurdles/wait periods as a result of this?

Sorry to hear about your brother.

You have to go 6 months without a drink. Once on the list it went fast. 13 days actually. I was that bad and lucky enough for them to find a compatible liver.

My coordinator said that a few go back to drinking. I can't understand that once you go through this. It's puzzling.

originally posted by: RazorV66

You say 40 years of hard drinking....was that drinking everyday?.....just curious.

Yes. Sometimes twice a day. Drink to passing out, wake up and do it again.

i've been working on getting my drinking under control and this is just further encouragement.

wishing you a good recovery, thank you for sharing your story.

a reply to: intrepid

Again, really sorry to hear this. But glad you are here to talk about it.
Being the super guy I am, I'll have one for you every now and then, just in case you get thirsty.
Just not one of those Bud free beers. Makes me shiver. Brrr.

a reply to: intrepid

How did you mange with withdrawal symptoms? I consider myself a heavy drinker, however I don't drink to pass out and I'm not a morning boozer. I've tried cutting backing/quitting before but I had no luck.

a reply to: intrepid

what did you drink?

personally i stick to beer only... and im sure thats not great, but its mostly water

but im sure the hard stuff will kill a liver fast

prey tell?

Curious, what were the first symptoms you started noticing? Did it happen quickly or just pains over time that you avoided?

Removed

Slapjacks and Fools- These go together. I had cut down before my diagnosis because it was painful. Down to about a 6 pack. So withdrawals were minimal. I had them before though due to no money(because it was drank away) and it wasn't pleasant for anyone. Talk about a bear.

Akragon- Anything really. Preferred high content beer, 8-10%. Being from the Maratimes rum was always a favorite. If broke 20% sherry would do. The alcohol content of a quart at the price of a couple of beers. Damn the taste. Hell at the worst of it I drank vanilla extract. You know you have a problem when...

originally posted by: intrepid
You know you have a problem when...

...you smear Stern-O on toast.

originally posted by: Akragon
a reply to: intrepid

what did you drink?

personally i stick to beer only... and im sure thats not great, but its mostly water

but im sure the hard stuff will kill a liver fast

prey tell?

My above mentioned ex father in law only drank beer.
He would famously say, "just a little beer problem"

He was 12 plus cans of Budweiser every day.

a reply to: intrepid

Akragon- Anything really. Preferred high content beer, 8-10%. Being from the Maratimes rum was always a favorite. If broke 20% sherry would do. The alcohol content of a quart at the price of a couple of beers. Damn the taste. Hell at the worst of it I drank vanilla extract. You know you have a problem when...

Alright... never had a taste for the hard stuff... learned my lesson as a teenager

Good times when they're goin down... but its not worth the next morning

hope you get better

Forgot to mention wearing adult diapers and having to be changed by someone else. That's a blow to the ego. I haven't needed to be changed since the hospital but I'm just back in underwear this week.

originally posted by: Bluntone22

originally posted by: Akragon
a reply to: intrepid

what did you drink?

personally i stick to beer only... and im sure thats not great, but its mostly water

but im sure the hard stuff will kill a liver fast

prey tell?

My above mentioned ex father in law only drank beer.
He would famously say, "just a little beer problem"

He was 12 plus cans of Budweiser every day.

yeah... i can do that but again... same as the hard stuff... its just not worth the next morning

especially when you have to work... and i work with dementia patients, so IF you know anything about my line of work, you can only imagine how bad of an idea a hangover is when im at work

luckily... i rarely drink quite that much... but i definitely have a few every night