Right Side Ache

I am 49 - have been a drinker since 20 - last 10 years about 4 evenings a week 2 to 3 whiskey doubles between 9:00 pm and midnight. Physically active but slowing down a bit. Weight was 190 in 1980 to 1995, was 195 in '95 and is 202 in 2005. Squash once a week, some hockey, golf, skiing, etc. Predominantly business work and traveled a great deal '94 - '02. Large complex business reengineering work - should be fun and I like what I do but maybe just maybe I have run the course - hard business - hard road, etc.???

I have had an intermittent ache on my right side from the lowest rib to 3 to 4 inches below for about 7 months. The ache has been about every 5 to 7 days. It would seem more sensitive when I played hockey and shot from my right side or when I played squash. Perhaps I fooled myself that it was muscular but there is now something unfamiliar at the bottom of my right rib - an ache, a nagging reminder. Recently (the last week) the ache has turned more persistant - every day for 6 to 8 hours but not debilitating, not bothersome yet it exists. It seems to be partially relieved when I have a bowel movement - not entirely but 70% gone.

I am now going to schedule an appointment with my gp and I believe he will condemn my liver. On the other hand it could be my gall bladder?!

One incident - about 1 year ago I had an episode while away on vacation where my right side became quite sensitive and sore for about 2 days - perhaps acute - I attributed it to eating a great deal of various peanuts over the previous 3 days. It went away and there were no extenuating circumstances.

So here I am ready to go to my gp and confess that my drinking has caught up and my liver is toast. Perhaps a fatty liver and I need to take 6 weeks off and normalize my drinking to 2 evenings a week and not too much at a time forevermore???

Healthy, almost wealthy, vibrant, lust for life and where am i? I want to live - maybe no drink period?

Any takers...