New member : Hi Everyone, I was... - British Liver Trust

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AngT profile image
AngT
11 Replies

Hi Everyone, I was diagnosed with NAFLD earlier this year, I am 54yrs old, I'm at the moment aren't on any medication for it although I have changed my diet and I have lost Wight. I go back to see my gastro man in March 2018 and he will arrange for another scan to check my liver.

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AngT profile image
AngT
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11 Replies
19581979 profile image
19581979

Hi

Welcome to the group. Sounds like you are doing the right thing by losing some weight. Well done.

A healthy diet lots of fruit and vegetables and being careful how much and what meat you eat are important. So are cereals like oats, and if you can eat them cereal with more natural fibre rather than over refined. Watch the refined sugar as well. I don't have diabetes but sugar was one of my bad guys.

By the way you may be interested to note that blueberries, raspberries, strawberries and similar seem to have less calories than some fruit for their weight Although it is important to eat a variety of fruit and veg, in the different groups. The berries look good in a bowl as they look more. I also chop up my apple (skin on) and banana (no skin). It makes it look more and I eat slower. I have lost some weight this way and I needed to. Mobility is a problem for me .

You also need to exercise as well. If like me you are on painkillers check things out with your g.p. see if there is a pain management clinic you can be referred to. If mobility is a problem can your GPS make any suggestions?

I wish I had understood this better earlier. I have nafld but unfortunately not understanding what my cholesterol issues really meant by the time I got a diagnosis I also have cirrhosis. I'm still following the advice I've written as best I can but I started a lot later than I should have. Even so it is still important for me to minimise my problem not make it worse.

Taking steps now and sticking to good intentions is the best way to love your body.

There are a lot of people on this site with more knowledge than me who are a great help.

Best of luck.

G

Katiesgran profile image
Katiesgran

You need to take this seriously. You don't want this to progress to cirrhosis like mine has, through ignorance. I am T2 diabetic too. First, cut out alcohol. Second, get your weight into normal bmi by eating sensibly, if you haven't already. Third, exercise. Mobility is not an issue as best exercise is resistance and weights which you can do from a chair, otherwise try and exercise for between half hour and one hour each day.

If you take action now this condition need not get any worse. It is up to you. Finally, make sure you get the liver function numbers from your doctor, don't ever let them fob you off that it's not serious. By the way, I don't think there is any medication.

Look at this as a lucky escape. Many are not diagnosed until much later. Also try and do the right thing but forget about it as much as you can.

Good luck

AngT profile image
AngT in reply to Katiesgran

I already have taken action, thanks, no alcohol, lost weight, and chucked the meds and I have never felt better. My consultant is very pleased with my goals I have achieved so far.

Cookimonster profile image
Cookimonster

How did you manage to lose weight. I really struggle with this. Am considering intermittent fasting. Any advice please? I have NASH with severe fibrosis too. Thanks.

AngT profile image
AngT in reply to Cookimonster

Hi, I just cut out fat and salt, be careful of cards turning into sugar, I changed my diet to suit my liver condition. Hope this helps xxx

Cookimonster profile image
Cookimonster in reply to AngT

Thanks Ang, I've just been told to lose weight fast but every time I try, I am so hungry I binge. Has anyone had Orlistat?

in reply to Cookimonster

Cookimonster,

With regards to your reply above; We would suggest that you are very careful about considering the use of any diet pills. Some of these may be harmful to people who have liver disease. If you are considering using any diet medications we would suggest that you discuss this with your own GP/ liver specialist in the first instance.

There are some special considerations that people with liver disease may need to make in their diet to stay nutritionally well and to help to manage their condition. Some of these are specific to certain liver diseases, others relate to how advanced the liver disease is.

It would be advisable to obtain specialist dietary advice from your liver specialist in the first instance. They can then refer you on to a dietitian for more guidance if needed.

Best wishes,

BLT Admin

Cookimonster profile image
Cookimonster in reply to

Totally agree BLT Admin, and thanks for the reply. It was what my hepatogist's deputy (medical registrar) recommended I use. I am wary though, and wondered if others had experienced issues.

19581979 profile image
19581979

Hi

I have limited mobility and shoulder and neck problems so mobility is a problem and even wheeling my wheelchair for long can be a problem. This hasn't stopped me exercising, what I have done is make sure I move as much as possible around the house. For those who can, swimming is brilliant. I can only do that in a hydro pool so access to one is difficult. Also as I have a lot of neurological pain management of it is difficult as I can't use the ones that normally would help.

I still have a lot of weight 1.5 stone, I need to lose to be in the middle of the safe bmi area. But I have lost about a stone in 4/5 months by really looking at the NHS website about what is healthy and what is a portion. I also took into account their calories depending on the exercise I do which I have to class as minimal.

It is really important though that you get your health professionals on board and they help work with your holistic health needs. They can help guide you to watch out for the wrong foods. My diet has helped me get my cholesterol level down marginally. It is still dangerously too high. without the combination of sufficient regular exercise and a healthy diet I know I am going to struggle to get it down. The problems of nafld and cirrhosis don't make it any easier.

One of the hardest parts for me was when I started with my back issues and I still ate as much as when I was mobile. That coupled with comfort eating while studying and then comfort eating due to pain were really negative for my health. It also didn't help that I had a sweet tooth.

Hope my experiences help warn others.

Gx

Hi

I have Nash with fibrosis, also under active thyroid and fibromyalgia so I'm finding it really hard to lose weight. Dr said if thyroid isn't sorted and I don't lose weight I will end up with cirrhosis and transplant. Not what I wanted to hear!! I will keep trying and smiling!!!

Hi AngT,

Welcome to the forum, we hope you will find this a supportive place to visit.

You may find our publication 'Non alcohol related fatty liver disease' useful to read, here is the link;

britishlivertrust.org.uk/wp...

Best wishes,

BLT Admin

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