Alcohol

[Guest]

Who can't say, "I wish I didn't know now what I didn't know then."

 

[Nancy]

For those of you who would like to cut back on booze and aren't quite motivated yet, here's a little incentive.

As you age with your heart problems, some of them will become worse. If you have CHF, it will probably worsen over time. Some of you are on antidepressants too.

When CHF becomes worse, or develops into right-sided heart failure, it can impair your liver, scarring it just like other kinds of cirrhosis. Even if you have not consumed enough booze to impair your liver to any great extent, the combination of years of drinking even moderately and perhaps then getting CHF with liver engorgement can put a serious hurt on your liver.

You will NEED good liver function as you age, not only to metabolize Coumadin, but metabolize anti-depressants and many other medications. Liver impairment makes medicating people much more difficult. Normal dosages don't work right, Coumadin fluctuates a lot when there is CHF on board. Your health can really suffer as a result.

Those with pulmonary hypertension take some medications (the easiest ones to take) that can in and of themselves, cause liver damage.

That's an organ you should be respectful of. It might not matter to you now, but in the future, it might matter a LOT.

 

[perrybucsdad]

Nancy,

I don't disagree with you, but the question is how? I don't consider what I drink to be excessive, but I enjoy it. I don't drink to get drunk or to get a buzz. I just like beer, and yes I know it's bad for my body. I guess the question that I keep coming back to is how do I resist the temptation? I would love to kick the habit, just like other want to quit smoking. With smoking, there are many ways to quit and lots of information. For drinking, people assume you are a drunk and should check into AA. Well, I'm not a drunk, and I'm not going to AA.

- John

 

[Ross]

For me John, it was a combination of things. Tired of waking up drunk, sick, sometimes not knowing what I did the day before or who I hurt while on my drunk, but the thing that got me most was living in a tough neighborhood. I realized that I could at no time and in no way, defend my family, take care of them or anything else if I kept going at the rate I was. What really got my attention was when my sons bike was stolen right off the back porch, 4 ft from where I was passed out. After that day, I pretty much dropped drinking altogether. Sure I have some now and then, but I no longer do anything like I once did.

It all started as just having fun, then it became necessary, then it took over my life. I couldn't let myself be ruled by it anymore. Sure it was hard at first and I faltered a couple times, but in the end, I won!

 

[Guest]

Way to go, Ross.

As I have said before there are many people who have benefitted from whatever it was that led you to where your are now. I'm sorry that you have poor health but glad for what have contributed to others.

My friend Bert Marian said that we are called/led to be in the place where we are needed the most. Bert had a son who committed suicide by shooting himself. Bert's way of putting it was that he caused great sorrow among those who loved him but brought great joy to those who got his corneas, lungs, heart, liver kidneys etc.

 

[Eowyn Rose]

Hi Diesel,

I have not changed my drinking habits since I am on Warfarin. I test more freguently and I am always honest about what and how much I drink. I would never change my warfarin dose without consulting a doctor.


I drink to the amount that I am still enjoying my altered state of consiousness. Sometimes I drink to add something special to my meal. I drink whatever I fancy.
However It is not in my nature to drink myself into oblivion and stress my body by regurgitating the contents of my stomach. Also I am over 40 and my party life is lame compared with the parties of the young ones. So my advise may not work for you.
When I party I am not telling anybody that I am advised not to drink, since that would make me to a designated driver. I drink lots water with the alcoholic drinks. So I still my thirst with water. At the end of the night I am probably the most sober person in the party, but I am the only one to know that.
I am aware you are really still in the time of your life when you like to let your hair down. However take really good care of yourself so people who love you know that you will be alright.
take care
Eowyn Rose

 

[Ross]

Way to go, Ross.

As I have said before there are many people who have benefitted from whatever it was that led you to where your are now. I'm sorry that you have poor health but glad for what have contributed to others.

My friend Bert Marian said that we are called/led to be in the place where we are needed the most. Bert had a son who committed suicide by shooting himself. Bert's way of putting it was that he caused great sorrow among those who loved him but brought great joy to those who got his corneas, lungs, heart, liver kidneys etc.

You know Al, I often wonder how much of my younger stupidity has played a part in my health today. Funny that it all started after I quit drinking, but I drank enough for everyone on this forum and then some. I have no doubts that alcohol may well have been a partial cause to where I am physically today.

You younger folks like Moo and so on, this is why I come down hard on your drinking lifestyles. I too used to do the samething and I'm all screwed up
today. Your body will get revenge!

 

[hensylee]

Fron Al: I have never seen anyone who had a problem with two drinks.

You should have been with us that night. And I only had half a drink! I'd tell you all about it but I can't remember it.

 

[Karlynn]

You know Al, I often wonder how much of my younger stupidity has played a part in my health today. Funny that it all started after I quit drinking, but I drank enough for everyone on this forum and then some. I have no doubts that alcohol may well have been a partial cause to where I am physically today.

You younger folks like Moo and so on, this is why I come down hard on your drinking lifestyles. I too used to do the samething and I'm all screwed up
today. Your body will get revenge!

I attended a wonderful conference last week on Arts in Worship at Willow Creek Community Church, one of those mega churches. The speaker that moved me the most was a minister from Detroit's inner city. He said "God finds greatest potential in our biggest weaknesses." And this is why God doesn't want us to continue to beat ourselves up over our past transgressions when we have moved beyond them into healthier places. A wise friend once told me "Karlynn the tough part isn't getting God to forgive you, it's getting YOU to forgive you."

End of sermon!

 

[Ross]

I cannot turn back the clock and make things right, but I can do what others have done before me, and that's warn the younger ones of the possible impending doom to be found. I was warned, I was young, I didn't listen. I don't expect any of you will either, but I honestly wish you would. Your bodies do not stay young and bullet proof for long.

 

[tomtom]

Like most Scots I take a fair amount of alcohol but, after five years on warfarin, I'm not aware of it having affected my INR which has, luckily, always been pretty stable.

 

[miles]

Hi Diesel, Two of the secrets to consistant INR values is moderation, and consistancy. I don't drink at all-anymore- as it is easier for me not to have one drink than it is not to have two, or more

 

[INRtest]

Diesel,
Everything in moderation (or so they say).

Guess you're going through what many of us are experiencing. I'm going on my annual camping trip in Aug. & it will be my first since I got sick last yr. Normally while camping, we have 3 or 4 drinks every evening before & after dinner & I have wondered if it will be as much fun if I have to stay pretty sober. I'm slowly adjusting, but I also refuse to give alcohol up completely.

After reading this thread, however, I've decided that I'll treat my self to a nice bottle of vodka for that occasional evening at home that I'd like to drink something stronger than my 1 -2 x's a week beer.

 

[Diesel]

Im not alone!

Im not alone!

Im not alone!!!

I'm sooo glad im not the only one who doesnt' want to give up the drinks yet. I figured that there must be a way to still go out and have a few. I was just nervous on if others have had any INR level problems. My only concern is.. my friends still like to go out on thursdays.. so i am going to try and make sure that my INR levels aren't checked on FRIDAYS!! is that the best choice? (sorry, yes im still new to this!!!)

Im going to go and have my INR level check in the a.m.. then off to see my cardiologist, then my pacemaker doctor, then my surgeon.. And all of these doctors are roughly 3 1/2 hours away.. So its going to be a long day for me i'm afraid......... but hopfully this is my first check up. ANd im hoping its mostly all good news!!

Talk to you all tomorrow night!!!!!!!
Diesel!!!!!!!!

 

[perrybucsdad]

The going out and drinking is the one thing that has always scared me. For the most part I will not go out, because someone will keep buying me beers. I won't do that. In fact, one time when I was out, a buddy asked me if I wanted a beer, and to brush aside the peer pressure, I said "No, I'm underage"... Mind you, I'm 36. He laughed, and that was the end of it.

After reading everything on this thread, you have convinced me that I need to watch how much I consume, and make it more the occasional treat, and not a regular thing. I talked with my doc after church this weekend, and he said one beer with dinner should not be a problem for me. I think I'll save that though for when I go out to dinner with my wife or something though.

Thanks....

 

[Ross]

If you find yourself needing to have a beer and concocting reasons for needing it, your in trouble. Now, I need a beer cause the sun came up.

 

[perrybucsdad]

If you find yourself needing to have a beer and concocting reasons for needing it, your in trouble. Now, I need a beer cause the sun came up.

So saying "darn, out of milk, guess I have to have beer on my rice crispies" would be a bad thing, eh? Darn... no more snap, crackle, burp breakfasts.....

- John

 

[Guest]

The INR will not be affected the next day after heavy drinking. It takes about 3 days for the change to occur.

 

[Ross]

Can't say as I've done that. Neither Jack or Jim and I get along. I love Jack but oh boy, doesn't take much till I'm a mean sob.

 

[perrybucsdad]

Pam,

Can't say that I have ever done that. I've a few too many of scotch in the past, but never to the point to passing out or barfing.

- John