Since finding out that I probably have diabetes and assuming I have cirrhosis I've switched off. My wife is angry at me because I can't just carry on as normal. She always assumed I was a hyperchondriac and she knew I didn't drink that heavily most of the time, which has probably not helped me identify the damage I've done. I have some other things going on in life that were already extremely stressful. How does anyone manage to keep a positive mental attitude? At the moment I can't focus on anything. How do you manage to be the person you were before and carry on? At the moment if it weren't for fact I can't sleep have Racing heart beat at night I have pretty normal health that I should be making the most of. At the moment all I'm thinking of is selling off my stuff not doing the extension we were planning and bracing for a miserable future. This is really unfair on my wife and I need to stop it.
Tips on managing stress and keeping a ... - British Liver Trust
Tips on managing stress and keeping a positive mental attitude.
Sorry you are feeling this way as I read you feel like selling off your stuff I thought you meant for an adventurous brighter tick off the bucket list future! We only have now, all of us so whatever positive fun things you want to do that make you happy just do them.if that doesn't include extending the conservatory so be it.all the best
Gosh Glen, I am sorry your feeling so down. I'll give you a little history about me; I was diagnosed back in 2013 with Liver cirrhosis and portal vein thrombosis, however the reason for this was unknown, I didn't fit any boxes, I wasn't a typical case. anyway long story short and all that I was diagnosed in early 2014 with a rare blood cancer, this being the reason for all my problems. So although I probably drank more than I should have, I'd not drunk enough to cause the damage that had been done.
For the first month or so I was sad, very sad, my life was great and now nothing was the same, I couldn't work so was on sick, I didn't look like myself, I couldn't go out drinking with friends etc...life and I knew it was going to be very different and I wasn't happy about this. However when I was diagnosed with Cirrhosis, they'd also told me 2-3 weeks later that I had liver cancer, which gosh took me back a bit...however 2 weeks later I was told that this wasn't the case, I wasn't angry for the misdiagnosis, I was pleased they had made that mistake other that the opposite way around. But something happened, I felt happy, my mum said it was the first time in weeks I'd smiled, that it was like I'd decided to live and not let what was wrong with me take over.
I am working full time, I am still driving, my life took a knock a few months ago when I was put on the transplant list, however I soon go it back on track. My advice; set little things for you to achieve, take you wife on a date, watch a film together under a duvet with chocolates, do little things that are achievable. Mine to begin with were, Christmas shopping, I did it over a period of 5 days (mornings only). Meeting with a friend for a coffee, driving round the block, basically reintroducing myself to my life and eventually built it back up to where it is now. I want to live and I want to have fun, I have had so many things taken away from me and I will fight head on with everything that is yet to come but I wont let it beat me.
My family, boyfriend (who has stood by me through thick and thin) and our daughter deserve to have someone that wants to live for them. Don't get me wrong I have my moments....2-3 days normally around the full moon I turn in to 'everyone should feel sorry for me and I don't like the world' person...but I come out of it and I believe you will too, just don't put too much pressure on yourself. Think about that extension....don't bury the idea just yet!
Good luck xx
Thank you so much for the reply. I've always been a mix of a glass half empty, glass half full person. Negative about the short term and positive about the future. I need to focus on a positive short term, You are so right and deal with the future when it happens. You don't know how much your reply has helped me today. I'm going to get on with things.
Take one step at a time Glen, Steve (my better half is always saying) don't worry about the future; its not here yet! I know sometimes its easier said than done.
I wish you all the luck in the world. Don't be afraid to have your bad days here and your good days with your wife (sometimes its easier to vent to those that understand)
Chelle
are you a gemini cheelle
Nope fully fledged Capricorn...x
I can't believe how much my condition has affected everything, I really can't begin to understand how my wife deals with it all.
It has had its massive ups and downs, I have focussed on achievements, I started doing physical challenges every month just to prove to myself that I could do it, I have amazed myself and stunned others, my health continues to deteriorate but I just alter my goal and carry on. In the beginning I wanted to make sure ever thing was sorted and in place for my family, I didn't care about myself as it appeared it was my time, but then you realise that you can carry on, book things for the future, my sister wanted to visit me from the USA, at first I told her to wait until after the transplant, but that was ridiculous, she is due over at the end of February which will be her second visit, and it was the best thing seeing her.
Don't let you condition define you, watch out for people you talk to you that don't help you feel better, eg; talk to people for 10 mins who bring you down, or talk to people for an hour that only feels like 10 mins and make you feel good, i think in management speak they are energy zappers, you will understand this when it happens. Not everyone knows I'm ill, it is important to keep a few informed but why does everyone need to know?
There is something to be said for getting up in the morning and getting on with it, I've met many who cannot so be a little grateful for that.
See the lighter side of life, this is a difficult one, and be careful how and who you use it on, but basically have a laugh, sometimes this is much easier with someone else who is going through similar things.
All the best.
Hi, Your future is not bleak, things will and do work out. Take a look at what you consider problems then take them on one by one. I have diabetes and take insulin 4x a day but that is not a problem. As you say you are healthy so you can overcome it.
Glen,
You're at the beginning of the journey which many of us here began with disbelief, fear, anger and then acceptance. Which is of course what we understand as the grieving process.
You have lost your previous life and adjustments have to be made before you reach acceptance.
As you have already seen from the above postings from Dulux, Chelle-PV and brummi, some of us had or are experiencing almost exactly or worse symptoms than yours. So you are far from alone here.
Ironically, having suffered with depression for most of my life, the more ill i became,strangely, this disappeared.
I believe this was because I suddenly realised how much my life was valued by my partner, my five children and my brothers and sisters. My new focus in life became surviving and becoming well enough to have my transplant.
You will get there, don't be afraid and keep yourself well enough to face whatever this illness brings to you.
Jim
as far as I can see there's a lot of "probably" in your diagnoses. The other day said you had been diagnosed with diabetes. Which is it ? diagnosed or possibly....? Diabetes is one thing-cirrhosis is another. Either way you're a long way from putting your life on hold. 3 or 4 years ago I was googling myself to death and going to some dark places-turned out I had fatty liver-big bloody deal! There's a whole host of people on this forum who've been through the mill and back and are positive and a good many of them drank nothing. That's life. Diabetes/cirrhosis (if that's what it is?) are not the end.
Give yourself and your wife a break-take all the good advice you've had on this forum and channel into positive action.
You have all our good wishes on this.
K
The diabetes is a diagnosis. A doctor as has said my symptoms and blood sugar being way over consistently indicate I am. I have to try to manage through diet first. The cirrhosis is just a real worry from the elevated enzymes over the years and the pain and my stupidity over many years. You are right until the scan I'm castatrophsing. Giving up drinking has been a big deal and I'm not in the best of places. There are so many inspiring people on this board who didn't have any control over their situation that have inspired me to stay on the wagon and get some help.
ok fully understand that-I have equally elevated enzymes through drinking so possibly in the same boat. I repeat what's done is done-where you go from here in your own hands-stay strong-it's difficult at first but like giving up drinking (which seems like the end of the world) you get used to it.
I predict you may be surprised by how you're feeling in a few months time.
Probably not entirely relèvent to your query, but with those two symptoms of liver problems and diabetes, have you had your iron levels checked for haemochromatosis?
Gien been through what you have , my passtime was working on mx5 sportscars early ones also own a car called a piper for 40 years love that car im sad petrol head the illness makes you question every thing the cars were my motivation i was made redundant. had money bought loads of stuff ,itwas if by doing this it waskeeping me alive sold piper cause could not get in it very low ,a thing i regret now just wanted to clear the decks ,i think you should take stock and think positive ,me post transplant into forth week & doing ok cant wait to get going my brains firing on all cylinders sad bodys going to take a while regards Dez
Hello! All will be well. Firstly don't forget you and treat yourself kindly, with love and care. Giving up booze is amazing..1st four weeks the toughest so take one day at a time and replace a bad habit with a good one! Let the body detox.with it may well come cravings, tears, emotions. That's all OK. You may want to work on better diet, for me its a big part of wellbeing! I start my day with a blend of celery,cucumber and apples, a good cleanse for the liver, drink lots of water and snack on fruits. Still pour a tonic water at 6..just forget the gin!).. Allow yourself some you time..to recover from stress.....breathe...you are alive!
Hi,
Welcome to the forum.
It is wonderful to see the supportive and positive replies back from our community.
In addition, The British Liver Trust have a helpline you can contact either via email or on the telephone. Please see the link here to our support services;
britishlivertrust.org.uk/fi...
Warm wishes,
Rebecca
I need to stress - what happened to my diabetes post transplant, does not happen in every case.
I was diagnosed diabetic 4 months after my cirrhosis began to show itself. I was immediately put on insulin before every meal and one before bed. My fingers were sore with the constant blood testing.
The last time I ever had to inject insulin was three days post transplant, and even then it was a much reduced dose. After that my blood glucose was normal. Nine months post op, I now have the 'three monthly HbA1c blood test at my routine transplant clinic The results remain in the non-diabetic 'normal' range.
As I said, this doesnt happen for everyone, but its worth keeping in mind.
Jim
My experience of being diagnosed diabetic was a tailspin into grief. I grieved for the change in lifestyle, that my life expectancy was shorter and that I could pass it to my children.
Once I realised I could control it and it didn't control me, my decisions etc I stopped grieving and started living again -obviously with some adjustment, but it didn't mean wholesale changes to the at I lived.
You are you with the conditions you have, you are not the conditions you have - I liken the thought process akin to work to live not live to work.
I hope this helps, it does take time and it may take effort to get there, but you will! 😉😉😉😉
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