[Vendome]

Listen to the Shibumi. He’s a good man.

[shibumi]

I didn’t say that to scare you.

No. Wait.

Yes I did.

It was a good scare that fixed me up right, about 11 or 12 years ago.

A couple of my “drinking buddies” didn’t get the scare.

They’re dead.

[shibumi]

"I don't feel like I'm dying, but I've been drained of about 2 1/2 gallons of fluid twice since then, and take diuretics and drastically limit salt intake. I want to work but I constantly feel weak, and I am not sure how honestly I should talk with an employer about my condition. "

Here's the deal. Drinking is not illegal. If you tell your employer you have a health condition related to it, but are taking steps to remedy the situation, I can't see how they could treat you any way but with support. I know mine did.

The weakness will continue while your body is healing. With me it persisted about a year.

Vendome is right about aspirin and acetaminophen, but for different reasons.

A compromised liver does not produce sufficient clotting agent for your blood to coagulate. Taking aspirin could exacerbate this to the point where you might bleed to death. (In fact most people with cirrhosis die from hemorrhage.) Acetaminophen on the other hand attacks the liver itself, often more than alcohol. Many non-drinkers develop cirrhosis from using Tylenol.

If you are a man, one of the diuretics they are probably giving you is a variant of Spironolactone (brand name Aldactone.) You might want to wean yourself from this and onto something like Lasix when it's feasible. But above all - listen to your doctor - NOT ME. He may have a good reason for using Aldactone. It's just not something you'll want to take forever - unless you're a woman. (It's got a female hormone base.)

Drink lots of water and *DON'T* try to lose weight by skipping meals. You may not always feel hungry - but you've got to eat.

One last thing. This did me more good than all the drugs and doctors put together. PRAY. If you ask humbly, in Jesus name, He will lighten the angst associated with you lifestyle change.

And I pray with you for your complete healing.