Current Events > Oh yeah, I forgot to update CE about my health scare

(+) Yeah! (+)

A few weeks ago I made a topic about a health scare I had. After drinking one night, I had pins and needles in my arms for hours - I remember being in bed at 5am, and my arms were still buzzing. And the next day, I shat blood. So I booked a doctor's appointment.

That was like two weeks ago. They took my blood, and I got the results back the week after.

They tested the amount of liver enzymes in my blood - I don't know the measurements, I just know the numbers as told to me by my doctor. According to him, a reasonable amount of liver enzymes would have been 40. My blood test turned up 169 liver enzymes.

I also had a vitamin B12 deficiency, and my cholesterol was a bit high. I've been taking supplements and avoiding fatty/oily foods whenever possible to get these conditions under control.

As for drinking: I've stopped cold turkey, but I will be drinking for special occasions. I've got a party next weekend (that might be cancelled due to personal reasons) where I'm planning to drink a bottle of wine and a 4-pack of cider. After that, I'm planning to drink on new years.

You might think that a bottle of wine is enough, and that 4 ciders on top of that is ridiculous for someone who's trying to curb their drinking, but earlier this year I was drinking 3-4 days a week and at least 2 of those days were to the point of blacking out. This is honestly more reasonable than I'm used to, and it's one night of me cutting loose.

All in all, my medical bill has been $0. I've had three doctor's appointments and one blood test, and I haven't had to pay a dime. Socialised healthcare is a great thing.

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It's your life. But if your enzymes are that high you're headed for trouble unless you give yourself a nice long break.

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vigorm0rtis posted...

It's your life. But if your enzymes are that high you're headed for trouble unless you give yourself a nice long break.

I know. Honestly, it's been hard to be around alcohol lately without being able to drink it. I want to look after my health, but some days really fucking suck without anything to take the edge off.

Between November 21st and December 31st, that's a month between drinks. After new years, there's one occasion in January I'm considering drinking for - a combined 4 birthdays in one event. And after that, there's no special occasions for months. I'm dipping my toe into the water, and keeping my health in mind while I do it so I don't jump in headfirst again.

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Best of luck dude. I had no idea you had a health scare >_>
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teepan95 posted...

Best of luck dude. I had no idea you had a health scare >_>

it's cool dude. honestly, I've been trying to turn my life around a bit even before I went to the doctor. I'm feeling pretty good, and I'm going to be okay - but goddamn, I could go for a drink pretty much any hour of the day.

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Feel better dude!
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MrMallard posted...

teepan95 posted...

Best of luck dude. I had no idea you had a health scare >_>

it's cool dude. honestly, I've been trying to turn my life around a bit even before I went to the doctor. I'm feeling pretty good, and I'm going to be okay - but goddamn, I could go for a drink pretty much any hour of the day.

Row row fight the powah!
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so you were drinking too much?

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berlyman101 posted...

so you were drinking too much?

The pins and needles could have been the vitamin B12 deficiency, or it could have been a sugar thing - it only started after I necked a small bottle of salted caramel Kahlua. But my drinking has evidently taken a toll on my liver, so whether it was the alcohol itself, a vitamin deficiency or whatever, alcohol is definitely a concern.

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Do you have fatty liver?

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Arcanine2009 posted...

Do you have fatty liver?

I dunno. I don't think my doctor mentioned it.

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