Anxiety Disorder and just been diagnosed with Cirrhosis - please help

Hey @puddy68 my goodness, I can absolutely understand why this is causing you so much concern!

It sounds like there's scary stuff, and there's hopeful stuff, and all in all just a LOT to work through and process. It's okay to take your time to sort through it all in your mind!

It sounds like there's a possibility of making a full recovery though, which is super incredible! It's also okay if it feels daunting, out of reach, or impossible. But it is possible, just comes back to putting one foot in front of the other hey.

Do you have some support, like a therapist or maybe a group that you attend to help you curb your drinking? Could be very worth looking into.

Oh and @puddy68 you can always check out Turning Point, or give DirectLine a buzz, for some support options too. Remember, we're creatures of habit, but no habit made cannot be unmade. Finding other ways of coping can be challenging, but not impossible. You can do this, I believe in you 💪😊💜

Hello @puddy68 and welcome.

Your fear is understandable.

Huge congratulations on stopping drinking, joining a gym and reaching out here.

Do you have any supports for your longheld anxiety? eg a mental health plan from your gp for a Medicare subsidised psychologist?

It's so hard to deal with the panic of a life changing diagnosis. I can hear how important your husband and son are to you. Can you look to other family and friends to help you through this?

I hope you find friendship and support here on the forums - many have anxiety and self medicate and can relate to that - many face complex and difficult health issues as well as MH challenges - and I trust you'll feel safe here.

Best wishes

Dimity

Hi @puddy68,

It sounds like you have been given a lot to process in a short period of time!

I'm going to take a wild guess that '68 may be your year of birth, so I'm a fair bit younger than you but have had anxiety and have well over-done wine slightly longer!

The first and most important thing you need to know is - be kind to yourself! You can't change the past and it won't help you by beating yourself up over it.

I'm sorry to hear that you've been diagnosed with a Child-Pugh Class B prognosis. The important thing is you're aware of your health and taking positive steps.

I'm not medically qualified, and cannot therefore second-quess your doctor's assessment, but from my lay understanding, it may be possible that the indication you were given was based upon a "if you don't change anything" assessment. You may wish to seek clarification from your doctor as it is causing you stress.

Well done to you for your progress and what you've done for the last few weeks! Those are amazing steps. But make sure you are also pacing yourself... Sometimes a big shock like you have had can make us want to fix everything all at once - it's important that you don't burn yourself out though!

I won't rehash what others have said - but depending on what State you are in, there are likely free support services - even if you're unsure, I'd recommend trying them, if you don't like them then find another.

If you don't know where to start, maybe the Alcohol and Drug Foundation at www.adf.org.au may help you find a suitable local (or phone) service.

I understand it's a big step - but be assured nearly every service out there will be bound by strict confidentiality laws under the federal Privacy Act (and relevant State Acts) with the exception of if they feel yours or another person's life is in immediate danger.

It sounds like you're doing everything right and know your goal. Just take on what you can.

It may not suit your circumstances or wishes - but for your information - there is a little known option in Australia that if you sign up to top tier health insurance, there is a "once only in a lifetime" ability to apply for a "mental health waiver" which waives waiting periods for mental health hospital care.

I've used mine and was able to access inpatient alcohol rehabilitation at a private hospital.

If this is something of interest to you I'd suggest you talk about it with your preferred medical practitioner.

Wishing you well,

FM

(Obviously none of the above is legal or medical advice - but hopefully helps!)

Thank you so much for your reply, Jynx. I really appreciate you sharing with me. The alcohol is well and truly under control, I rarely have the urge for it now, and if I do, I distract myself, or think of my son and husband.

Unfortunately my anxiety has reared its ugly head again, as I now need to be referred to a specialist regarding pulmonary hypertension. I've just written and posted about this. Aaah, if it doesn't rain it pours. Thanks so much for your reply once again. God Bless.

Thank you so much for your kind welcome, Dimity. I really appreciate it. I've just put up another post.....I've got my head around the cirrhosis diagnosis, then just found out I need to see anther specialist regarding pulmonary hypertension. I put all these details in [yet another!] post. Anxiety through the roof again, but it really helps to get such kind and informative messages from people like yourself. Thank you so much. God Bless.

Thank you so much, Ferryman, for your kind and thoughtful reply. I think I'm able to control my alcohol urges now.....if I get the urge for a wine, which is getting less and less, I just think of my son and husband, and that seems to do the trick. Thank you so much for your advice, too, particularly about pacing myself. That's very important, you're so right. I have something else to contend with now [sorry about the whinge] - I just found out I need to see another specialist for pulmonary hypertension. I just posted another post about this actually, as my anxiety is sky high, to the point I'm finding it hard to get off the couch. I know I've got the strength to get through this, but at the moment I'm just not coping. I don't want to die. [Which is what all of google sites have said will happen to me in thee next 2 - 3 years]. Anyway, I'm so sorry for pouring my heart out to you. God Bless, and thank you.