Reply to: Alcohol

[NickFitz]

The liver may be injured by a single event, as in acute (new, short-term) hepatitis; by regular injury over months or years, as in biliary tract blockage or chronic hepatitis; or by continuous injury, as in daily alcohol abuse.

The liver responds to cell damage by producing strands of scar tissue that surround islands (nodules) of healing cells, making the liver knobby.
At first, the inflammation in the liver causes it to swell. As the disease progresses and the amount of scar tissue in the liver increases, the liver will actually shrink.
The scar tissue presses on the many blood vessels in the liver. This interrupts flow of blood to liver cells, which then die.
Loss of liver cells hinders the liver's ability to perform its normal functions.

I need a drink after reading that...

[Moscow Mule]

I though livers in alcoholics grew to ginormous sizes?

No, they shrink to a tiny size...

http://www.emedicinehealth.com/cirrhosis/article_em.htm

The liver may be injured by a single event, as in acute (new, short-term) hepatitis; by regular injury over months or years, as in biliary tract blockage or chronic hepatitis; or by continuous injury, as in daily alcohol abuse.

The liver responds to cell damage by producing strands of scar tissue that surround islands (nodules) of healing cells, making the liver knobby.
At first, the inflammation in the liver causes it to swell. As the disease progresses and the amount of scar tissue in the liver increases, the liver will actually shrink.
The scar tissue presses on the many blood vessels in the liver. This interrupts flow of blood to liver cells, which then die.
Loss of liver cells hinders the liver's ability to perform its normal functions.

[OwlHoot]

After a few drinks on Saturday, nothing over the top mind, I spent all of yesterday being violently sick. This has happened to me before, but never after such a moderate amount of booze.

Subsequently, today I feel like sh1t. My hands are shaking, my limbs feel weak, and my throat is sore from all the Huey and Rolf yesterday.

I can no longer drink red wine, as it gives me a migraine. Now it seems I can't drink beer any more either.

So I've decided to give up drinking alcohol. And as my friends, albeit virtual ones, I will expect you to support me in this endeavour. Thank you.

Might be a dose of pancreatitis. I'd see your doctor.

I had a stinking hangover the other week, when I hadn't drunk more than usual, and it turned out to be mixing (non-alcoholic) apple juice with wine.

[sasguru]

I though livers in alcoholics grew to ginormous sizes?

Yeah look at me I'm 96% liver

[MrRobin]

May indicate you very little liver left.

I though livers in alcoholics grew to ginormous sizes?

[xoggoth]

May indicate you very little liver left.

[DS23]

blame it on adam and his ants.

[Red 7]

There's a danger period when you've believed you've killed the habit and think I'll just have one for old times sakes - DON'T DO IT.

Second that... I went cold turkey for 9 months, chuffed with myself for having beaten the weed with will power alone.

Then I'm on holiday and Marlboro are 54p a pack... hehe guess what.

I'll say one thing though, I never felt any better off financially (£5/day ish) nor did I feel any healthier, or have an enhanced sense of taste or smell. The Mrs did however comment on 'improved' blood flow, which was good enough for me.

I'll probably stop again soon, but it's poker night next week so it definately won;t be until after then

Oh and BTW - I quit drinking a couple of years ago and don't miss it at all. i still like a pint or two on a hot day and still have a soft spot for the occasional havana club or mescal but I'm literally down to about 30 units p/a.
It's amazing how many people say "What!! you don't drink!!??, what the hell DO you do ?" Bizarre.

[richard-af]

A school pal of mine went blind for about 5 hours, following a drinking marathon for his 18th. I remember well his pitiful weeping. Happy days.

[Moose423956]

Oh dear. I hear the sound of a large axe being sharpened.

[DaveB]

I know.

I dont intend to have another one ever. It was fun while it lasted, but its over now. I feel very lonely though - dont miss fags so much, just miss the company and companionship....liek I have a big gaping void. Its a bit like grief!

Look on the bright side, at least you wont miss standing around outside in the freezing wind and piss come winter time

[SallyAnne]

4th week - that's good. You're over the physical addiction now - it's just mental. Remember the cravings will still be there but they last much shorter and happen less frequently. There's a danger period when you've believed you've killed the habit and think I'll just have one for old times sakes - DON'T DO IT.

I know.

I dont intend to have another one ever. It was fun while it lasted, but its over now. I feel very lonely though - dont miss fags so much, just miss the company and companionship....liek I have a big gaping void. Its a bit like grief!

[Old Greg]

4th week - that's good. You're over the physical addiction now - it's just mental. Remember the cravings will still be there but they last much shorter and happen less frequently. There's a danger period when you've believed you've killed the habit and think I'll just have one for old times sakes - DON'T DO IT.

I have the odd one from time to time and it doesn't turn me back into a smoker. Different people handle it differently.

[sasguru]

Well I'm into my 4th week of packing in the fags, so I cant knock someone for wanting to make their health better.

Good on you lad, and god luck.

4th week - that's good. You're over the physical addiction now - it's just mental. Remember the cravings will still be there but they last much shorter and happen less frequently. There's a danger period when you've believed you've killed the habit and think I'll just have one for old times sakes - DON'T DO IT.

[SallyAnne]

No no, she was right, I am a puff.

Well I'm into my 4th week of packing in the fags, so I cant knock someone for wanting to make their health better.

Good on you lad, and god luck.