Hi, is there anybody else in the same boat as me, I look and feel 9mth pregnant, have nafld, and enlarged bile duct, will my stomach ever be flat again, need your valuable thoughts, so many good people on this page, fascinating reading so much info, for people who are anxious and need info but can't get it off doctors. Thanks for reading xx
Bloated, and fed up: Hi, is there... - British Liver Trust
Bloated, and fed up
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Linda3035
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47 Replies
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Has your doctor had a look at this bloating to make sure it isn't a dangerous fluid build up / ascites ?
No, I think they think I'm just fat, but I can't eat much as I'm bloated with just a small meal it's putting so much pressure on me I am feeling really uncomfortable down below, I am due to have biopsy on liver soon, I thought it was something that you have with liver disease, think I should see my doctor then???, thanks for replying it's nice to know that I am not alone ☺️☺️
You definitely need doctor to palpate your tummy, if this is rigid like a pregnancy then it isn't normally just fat and needs assessing and dealing with because fluid (if it's ascites) can become infected and lead to big problems.
I hope it isn't that but YES I would definitely be seeing a doctor about it.
Katie
Thanks, my stomach is very hard and is bloating bad all the time now, I'm going to ring GP today, I thought it was normal symptom of nafld, most grateful for advice.
I’ve had problems over Christmas with peripheral oedema ( bloated ) cant get shoes on jeans coat to meet on me. Went to my Liver team - had bloods etc done and have been commenced on a diuretic. I’ve been taking for 2 days now & the swelling is going down and I feel much more comfortable thankfully. You should see your Dr good luck xx
Vulnerable,
If you are not already doing this, try to sleep with your feet/ legs raised as high as is comfortable.
Worked for me and if I didn't, in the morning I certainly noticed the difference.
Jim
Thankyou Jim yes I was elevating them in bed and it did help - but in the main overall I was like Verruca Salt lol lol. Went to see my Liver Reg. who put me on a diuretic and that has helped greatly. Though I do worry about amount of drugs I’m taking & the ability of my Liver to cope with them. Jim have you had your transplant?
I wonder if one does have a transplant do all other symptoms go away and the body returns to ones normal state ie before effects of sick Liver on the rest of the body
in reply to vulnerable
Hi
Speaking from personal experience, the transplant got rid of most symptoms. A year on, I still get some fatigue, albeit nowhere near as bad as before the transplant and my sleep never really improved. Strangely enough, insomnia seems to be a lot worse now than a few months ago. I guess both issues are linked to each other, you get tired due to lack of sleep.
Other than the above, I feel great. Not as well as I did back when I was healthy and don't think I ever will but considering the circumstances, the transplant was the best thing I could have hoped for.
vulnerable in reply to
Thankyou x
Faithfull in reply to
Read your reply and what lovely last bit you put.
It's wonderful that you are doing ok and wish you and your family late many many happy healthy new year.
You could also reduce your salt intake, no ready made foods and don’t add salt to your food
Doing that too x
It was a strange feeling when i went back to work post- transplant. It was the first time i had been able to put my shoes on in 3 years. Even when i wore my trainers i had to loosen the laces and eventually only the very tips were visible, no chance of actually tying them. Spent most of the day in the office walking round in my socks. Almost got to a stage where i was needing to wear my rather loose fitting tracksuit bottoms to work too as i could only just get my legs down the legs of my trousers. Tight fit didn't feel that fashionable at the time!
Now all fluid has gone, legs, feet all back to normal. Although i did have legs like a sparrow for a while just after the fluid had gone. Unfortunately, though i cant say the same for my stomach. But that is just the consequence of now having a good appetite, lol.
Well done xx
Kristian! Your replys are so good and true you always make me laugh and laugh just about the skinny wern't in fashion then it's something I would say!by the way being in a depressed state ,sorry I get confused a lot and thought it was u that went away,
I look like the BLT gossip.
Vulnerable,
Had my transplant in March 2016.
As I lay in the intensive care bed waking from the transplant I could feel the energy flowing into my previously aching body. My colour became pink and healthy without a trace of the yellow in my eyes and face. This was within hours of the surgery.
What was really amazing was the clear head. It was like the experience of being in a plane taking off on a rainy day, then you burst out of the clouds into clear blue skies.
I had been diagnosed type 2 diabetic one year before the transplant having to have four daily insulin injections. Since then my blood glucose levels have been in the normal range. There that there is no guarantee that everyone with diabetes will see this result.
A common symptom of liver disease is loss of body hair. Mine grew back to neatly hide my operation scar.
In the days after, the strength continued to increase and I cant even complain about any pain from the wound - ok the powerful pain relief helped !
Nine weeks post-op I did a 5k charity walk for the hospital. Ten weeks earlier I could only dream of slowly walking 1k and I would need to lie down for the next six hours.
So, my answer is, in my case everything did return to 'normal.'
Jim
Oh Jim you have given me so much hope and reassurance. I know we are all individual but your experience has been amazing. Thankyou so much. Xx
Jim do you mind me asking what age you are? I’m 63
Iv Just had a bout of oedema dignossed over the fone. My dr has increased my direcits and advised that I raised my legs whilst sleeping. All this has helped. But the swelling in my left ankle has not gone down compeatly and the left leg and ankle isbecoming sore. So as I was told by my dr have made an appointment for 10 days time (earliest appointment I can get) to have it reassessed. I wish you better soon. I will let you know how I get on. Happy and healthy new yesr💕💕
Lilly Since it is one leg still swollen & painful- do you have shortness of breath or pain in chest/lung? If so it would be worth a visit to a&e rather than wait for 2 weeks to see a GP
Hi and thank you for you quick response. Could I please trouble you to ask why you suggest an urgent visit to a/e
Thanks again💕
Well (not an expert but have been a medical professional) because you mention one leg with pain , ankle pain, do you have any pain in calf???? Have you thought about possible clot? I don’t mean to alarm you no way, but just to be sure.
Hi,
Feel your leg and compare it to the other leg and if it is warm / hot to touch and inflamed you will need to seek medical attention.
Don't forget that with liver disease your immune system is not working as it should.
As always, if in doubt call NHS 111. They can advise you and if necessary organise a doctor to call you back.
nhs.uk/NHSEngland/AboutNHSs...
Jim
Thanks Jim I will do as you advise. Just to be on the safe side. Thanks once again. It’s so nice to have your support. As I don’t fully understand my cirroscis yet and it’s onlt through this forum that I don’t feel so lost and alone💕
Sound advice Jim. As my Liver Dr told me “your health is fragile” we must take care of ourselves.
Hiya thanks for replying, is this effective for bloated stomach as well,
Well I in my case yes. I do not have ascites. I have noticed a considerable difference in my abdomen. I can button my coat again . I’m for Hospital in the morning to have kidney function test- due to now being on diuretic. So hopefully I can fit into my jeans
Lol I wish, good luck, hope I can get some answers of the doctor tomorrow, I will text certainly mention diuretics, might be able to move a bit more😊😊
Depends on the cause. If it’s because of ascites you need to see someone about the current state of your liver xx
Have you had a liver ultrasound? If it’s fluid (if you lie down and put your hand on one side, with the other hand flick your tummy- fluid ripples, and your’ll feel it against your flat hand) you should reduce your salt intake, no pre-prepared food, cook fresh and don’t add salt to your food, but eat a healthy balanced diet. Eat little and often, if it’s wind you could try golden linseed, about a tablespoon a day, add to cereal, yougert, soup,stew etc, this really helps with the bloating, good luck
Ta
Thanks it's hard trying to get to grips with diets, I tried what you said but don't think it's ripples, is ascites fat build up I have never been overweight like this but after going through hep c treatment, I seemed to pile it on, although they say I wouldn't put weight on because of the treatment, thanks for your advice 🤔🤔
I wouldn't necessarily rely on the GP to detect whether or not you have ascites. I was like you and we used to go for a walk at night to try and improve things (it did help), because I was struggling to breathe and was very uncomfortable. We only eat food made at home and add very little salt, so I was already doing the necessary.
Anyway went to GP and saw my consultant, neither of whom detected ascites. However, when I saw the team at the QE, the female doc detected ascites straightaway, which was confirmed by ultrasound. My GP and local consultant said it was gas!
Mine has come down considerably (no ascites detected on u/s), but my stomach is not flat- I always used to have a flat stomach. Even regular gym going, before the ascites, did not give me a flat stomach, so maybe once you have a liver problem (I have a different one to you) a flat stomach is a thing of the past.
I feel that the steroids that I was taking to reduce my flare caused the ascites as when they were reduced the ascites started to reduce also. They did prescribe a diuretic though as well.
Good luck and don't give up. 
Thanks, this might sound like I'm dumb but what exactly is ascites, I hear people talking about it but not quite sure, lol feel like a right thicko
When people are new to this forum and liver disease it can be confusing when there are references to things using words which are strange to you.
The following link might help.
Never be afraid to ask for an explanation.
Jim
Thanks just been checking out on Google 🤗🤗
in reply to Linda3035
I know what you mean, I'm extremely bloated. Consultant said my liver is massive , spleen enlarged. Pain every time I eat
He said that could be stomach pressing on capsule around liver but also liver stretching it too!! Xxxx
Hi, I'm that way now I won't go out because of the way I look, clothes don't fit I really look bigger than when I was pregnant, can't bend down, and get breathless with heart palpatations , every time I mention to doctors they advise diets and light exercise in all very depressing, have the consultant advised on how to get rid,??
Well feeling desperate, doctor says she I haven't got ascites I said basically I'm obese then she answered my yes, god never thought I would be like this, havnt eaten today scared of putting weight on, oh well rabbit food it is then. 🤔🤔🤔🤔🤔
in reply to Linda3035
This all sounds very peculiar to me. If they are saying you are obese, then really they ought to be advising you properly on a diet bearing in mind that you also have liver issues. I went to a talk recently where these sorts of issues were discussed and there are a few things that can be done to help lose weight gradually and sensibly without going on a crash diet. They are more lifestyle changes though. I would ask for specific help from a dietician.
All the very best
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