Alcoholism Support Group
Alcoholism is the continued consumption of alcoholic beverages, even when it is negatively affecting your health, work, relationships and life. If you think alcohol is causing you to lose control, it's time to seek help. Our group is a safe place to vent, check in, get back up if you fall, and reach sobriety.
Hi all,
As a chef in high-end restaurants for 25 years, I have endured years of mental and physical pressure, resulting in long standing high blood pressure. Additionally, I have drank way too much over the years (mainly beer/wine) to cope with the demands of the job amongst other things. I have been recently (in May, 2017) been diagnosed with "dilated cardiomyopathy", "Left Bundle Branch Block", and "heart failure", with an ejection fraction (E/F) of 20%. I am 47 years old and the cardiologist was perplexed why I why was in his office at such a "young" age. Back in May I experienced shortness of breath (only when laying down, and upon too much physical exertion), and gained about 20 pounds (swelling in legs + ankles). That was what prompted my visit to the doctor's office. I immediately completely cut off all drinking.
Within a couple weeks, with the help of "lasix" medication, the weight dropped back to normal, so I stopped the lasix. Since then, I have been feeling back to normal and have no problem with weight workouts and 5 mile walks. I altered my diet to low salt and low fat, and watch the portion amount. I have managed to lose another 17 "honest" pounds (without the lasix), so I am down to 164 pounds, and I'm 5'7".
I had another echocardiogram about a month ago and my E/F went up to 25%. Yesterday, I had a CTA (coronary tomography angiogram) scan done, but won't have the results till this Monday to see if there is any heart artery blockage or calcium buildup.
Basically the doctor that I saw indicated that after the first onset of symptoms, if there is no improvement within 90 days, you're most likely done...you probably have 3 to 5 years to live. I don't know how they come up with a window of 90 days? I am thinking that if a person has been drinking for 20 years, maybe it takes a little longer and a slower progression back toward normal than what the "book" says??
I have scoured the internet for stories that match my situation, at least partially, and have trouble finding any. I am also eager, after reading so much negative and depressing stuff, to hear about some success stories of people who had this medical issue (or something close to it) due to drinking.
Are there any stories of anyone in my similar situation who has permanently quit drinking and had their cardiomyopathy/heart failure improve significantly or go back to normal (ejection fraction, heart size, etc) after any certain amount of time???
Thank you for reading and I look forward to any reply you may have.
Best wishes to all!
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Firstly, I hope you ceased the Lasix under the advice of your doctor!! If not, please make and appointment and get reassessed, ASAP. Your continual recovery and ongoing long term health prospects are imperative to medication compliance!! I won't explain further here, but if you need any explanation, let me know.
You are incredibly young to have such cardiac dysfunction and alcohol undoubtedly has played a part however the stress of a high pressure job is a major factor plus or minus some genetic predisposing factors. If you are smoking at present I would encourage you to quit immediately, it could genuinely save your life (terrifying to let go of the two major relaxants at once, I know, sorrrrrrry)!
I think a lot of what is to come is relative to your angiogram. Any further blockages that you may have will complicate the blood supply to your heart and although stenting is very effective it is also reliant on the pump being able to keep pushing things around. Sounds like you have a good understanding of what is going on, but in relation to your heart size changing unfortunately, the damage is already done.
If you think of your heart like a balloon, it can be blown up and release over and over, but over time the balloon will become stretched and floppy and it won't be able to contract and push blood around the body with the same force (hence why your ejection fraction is so low).
All in all, heart failure is incredibly common and in my experience although it is an irreversible disease, it is is a manageable disease!!!
Sound like you have made some amazing changes already, cutting out the booze and doing some moderate exercise, well done!! Other things that your doctor has no doubt explained include compliance with additional medications (antihypertensives, statins, aspirin etc), optimising dietary and fluid intake and monitoring your weight (in relation to fluid) regularly.
I hope that you get some good results from the angiogram and continue to move onwards and upwards!
I can't share a story of similarity but I'm sure that there would be younger people with heart disease with more positive things to share. If you perhaps broaden your search to include non-alcohol specific patients you will potentially find more.
Any questions shoot them my way!
Welcome to the club!
Sending strength and positivity :)
-B
The thing is now to make the best with what you got. You have quit now the trick is to stay quit. I found a lot of support and new ways to cope with things in life in a group of aa. Support from alcoholics was vital to me
1is2many