Cirrhosis and exercise. Is it advisable?

[acjb007]

I'd like to start the new year by getting back into shape and going to the gym. However , I'm concerned about the implications it may have on my liver and blood pressure . Also would supplimenting with protein shakes be too much for my liver?

[buddymac48]

I've been told by my Doctor to exercise and lose weight, my Doctor said exercise is good for your liver and healthy diet.so far have fatty liver ,not sure about diet there seems to be a lot of different opinions on that I know for myself if I eat to many carbs cant keep weight under control but this depends on liver complaint you would need to ask your Doctor. specialist ,or Dietician to be safe.

[jimfearnley]

Hi

My understanding is that exercise is beneficial, obviously subject to your general energy levels, ie, if you feel able to do it, it will be good for you. I don't know how far advanced your cirrhosis is - mine became apparent at the point at which it (rather dramatically) became decompensated, which led to my being put on a transplant list quite quickly. If a transplant is anywhere on your treatment horizon, immediately prior to a decision being made about putting you on the waiting list, you would be subjected to a number of tests, including a lung function test. In essence, they want to confirm you have the physical resilience to undergo a major operation. As such, any advance exercise regime will act in your favour.

On diet, I found information both from GPs and hepatologists to be somewhat vague, and occasionally contradictory. High levels of protein used to be recommended as standard to people with cirrhosis, on the (often incorrect) assumption that the patient was an alcoholic with life/diet management problems. The general advice to people who have sustained a standard diet has therefore changed in the direction you suggest, ie, lower protein levels, but I would get a second qualified opinion where you can on this.

There is a decent book on liver disease and diet crying out to be written, and I once thought of having a go myself. Interestingly, post-transplant, the only monitoring appointments scheduled (other than with the liver consultant), in my Trust at least, are with a dietician, and these are helpful.

[Hidden]

HI

With your Fibroscan of 75kpa I would say yo need to be careful with exercise because it could raise your portal pressure and cause a bleed. Of course ask your specialist, he may want you to just walk rather than run a half marathon.

[ayushsingh977 in reply to Hidden]

with fibroscan of 11.7kpa can i start my workout again ?????......SGOT and SGPT are 86 and 108 respectively .

[AyrshireK]

My hubby regularly sees the dietician at the transplant clinic and has asked about exercise. He's been told yes to exercise BUT not to the degree of trying to do vast distances. House work, shopping trips and a daily walk or swim are recommended but in someone with advanced cirrhosis these can be the equivalent of a healthy person doing a marathon since you have difficulties metabolising food for energy and too much exercise can actually contribute to fatigue and muscle wastage.

I think this would be an issue to run past your specialist and especially a dietician if you can get to see one. Not too sure about the protein supplements for gym goers.

If you are likely to be going for a transplant and too underweight it can be a contraindication to transplant. My hubby was 8 1/2 stone soaking wet (and classed as malnourished) at the time of his assessment and was immediately put on to prescribed supplements on top of a high protein, high carbohydrate diet and amazingly he has gained weight and is now 11 stone and has also managed to regain some muscle mass much to the amazement of liver team.

We go for a 20 minute walk every day together and when the weather is good and he feels up to it we have managed 4 mile walks though some days even the housework leaves him chronically fatigued.

I guess the mantra is do what you can, when you feel able, listen to your body and rest when it needs it plus keep fuelled - on our longer walks hubby has to snack to keep the energy levels up or he suddenly fades physically and mentally - like a hypo.

Don't know whether any of that makes sense to you,

All the best, Katie

[Bolly]

With a Fibroscan score of 75 I would stay away from the gym and do what Ralph and Katie advise which is something like walking or housework, lol!

[ayushsingh977 in reply to Bolly]

with fibroscan of 11.7kpa can i start my workout again ?????......SGOT and SGPT are 86 and 108 respectively .

[findasolution]

acjb007

onlinelibrary.wiley.com/res...

This is link to article on exercise and cirrhosis that might be of some interest to you

It is my personal view that if your doctors have advised exercise then just do it but on a slowly slowly basis to start with and increasing as your physical capacity improves. Keep in mind that if you have cirrhosis then it is probable your exercise capacity will already be 50% or so worse than it was before the disease manifested itself.

I may be biased but I am a strong believer that exercise is good and if a person is physically fit then there is a greater likelyhood they will be able to cope better with illness than an unfit person.

You may also be interested to read what hepatologist Melissa Palmer MD has written on the matters of exercise and diet and cirrhosis in her often quoted book 'Hepatitis Liver Disease What You Need To Know'. If you do not have a copy then you might find one in your local library.

Therefore my recommendation would be if you have the capacity to exercise and your doctors have advised you that you can do so then do not be reticent just go out and do it.

Finally I add that I have decompensated cirrhosis (including varices) and all the doctors and specialist that I have met regarding the condition have told me to continue exercising and to eat plenty of non red meat sourced protein.

Good luck

Regards

[Catfishjumpin]

I do strenous exercise 4 to 8 hours a week, cycling 10 and 20 miles, swimming for hours and a hoop routine that is very rigerous, it will dramatically improve your heath, exercise clears the blood of toxins to the brain and other organs, it circulates blood, our livers are literally lethargic. Exercises pumps oxygen to every muscle and organ. I have been ill for 43 years, yes I am dying of liver disease, I even have liver cancer now for two years but I still am remarkably strong but yes I can go into liver failure any time, extremely low platelets, very low serum sodium and varcies that are banded, I have had 3 near death experiences of almost bleeding to death, blackouts bleediuts and blood transfusions but made it still. We can only try. I live alone, no help. Begin exercising slowly for short periods of time but do not stop because its hard, it will make you stronger. My eyeballs are still very white, the jaundice is not that bad. Good luck, this is a hard fight. Aloha