All of a sudden loss of appetite with alcohol cirrhosis

[Peppy05]

Has anyone loss their appetite suddenly after having alcohol cirrhosis for 2ys i loss my appetite 4 months ago and lost weight is this natural. Please give advice thanks peppy05

[AyrshireK]

Loss of appetite can be quite common in cirrhosis as can weight and muscle loss. It can happen for a number of reasons including if you have an enlarged spleen or ascites which are squishing your stomach and making you feel full also as your liver is part of your overall digestive system if it isn't working properly then your body might feel less tolerant towards food.

You need to see your specialist about this and need referral to a dietician who can help provide appropriate nutrition even in the form of supplementary drinks etc.

Ideally you need to eat little and often and avoid long periods of fasting, you need carbohydrates for fuel and protein to help your muscles. If you don't eat little and often then your body will begin to use muscles for fuel.

I have sent you a PM with some information which you might find useful but do try to see if you can get referred to a dietician urgently.

Katie

[Peppy05 in reply to AyrshireK]

Thanks ayrsherik, I don't have a site and I don't feel full I do have depression and gastritis I on meds for that my Dr. Put mo on megestrol tablet 40mg twice daily last month to see if that would help,also do you ever get your appetite back with cirrhosis.

[AyrshireK in reply to Peppy05]

I can't really answer that as touch wood to date hubbies appetite has always been good (other than when he had surgery on his spleen). When he first went to transplant clinin in 2013 he was considered malnourished and had loss muscle even though he was eating fine. Now he is following high protein, high carb diet plan from dietician he has gone from 8 1/2 stone to 11 stone and gained muscle.

A dietician is a must see.

[Peppy05 in reply to AyrshireK]

Thank you, it's just that I had alcohol cirrhosis since 2015 and I had no problem with my appetite up until 4 months ago

[Millie09]

I had loss of appetite on first diagnosis, but it had been going on for a gopd while when i was drinking. I had ascites very bad and had 3 drains and 6 weeks in hospital. I still do get my days when i just dont want to eat as i feel full yet there is no ascites? .. i have lost a lot of muscle wastage from my hip down. I now have bone degeneration and two prolapsed discs middle to lower back. I now struggle with my healthy eating due to mobility and i have put on 4lb in 3 months .not a lot you say but it is to me as i was told i now have fatty liver on top of cirrhosis. Ask your hospital or Dr to see a nutritionist as that's what im going to do as i am now lost on what to eat. Im f4 fibrosis with mild hepatic encephalopathy. Hope you get sorted 😊

[Peppy05 in reply to Millie09]

Thanks Millie09, I don't have asites and I don't feel full I do suffer from depression and I have gastritis gallstones will I ever get my appetite back soon I do eat but not enough sometimes I have to force myself to eat is this natural

[Millie09 in reply to Peppy05]

Hi peppy , oh so you have gallstones. So does my sister. Her gallbladder is full of the little blighters.they cause her so much pain if she has a flare up .She doesn't eat very much either but has not lost any weight. In fact she has gained it . .

How long have you had depression? I had that in 2015 and i lost over a stone and a half. Was eating but not enough. Once my meds kicked in after a couple of months it started to come back. Maybe its the depression and not cirrhosis?

[Peppy05 in reply to Millie09]

Thanks Millie09 that's what my doctor said I been on medication for a month now I guess it hasn't keep in yet

[Millie09 in reply to Peppy05]

Your most welcome peppy

It did take me a while on my meds. Sertraline. I am still taking them now. I know it has helped me cope somehow this last few years.. give yourself time . Hope you feel better soon

[Peppy05 in reply to Millie09]

Thanks Millie09 I'll give it time to kick in I've only been on it since December 10mg daily it wasn't working so my doctor up it to 20mg January 5

[Millie09 in reply to Peppy05]

Really? 10mg ? I was started on 50mg of sertraline then upped to 100mg a day after 4 weeks. Is it sertraline you are taking? Or a different antidepressant?

[Peppy05 in reply to Millie09]

I'm on Prozac she doesn't want to give me a high dosage because of my cirrhosis

[Millie09]

I have end stage cirrhosis, my dr wouldn't give me prozac as apparently sertraline is not so harmful to the liver.

[Peppy05]

Why he didn't give you Prozac it's an ssri better than an ssri with cirrhosis that's what my doctor prescribe for me it has less effect on the liver.

[Peppy05]

I meant to say ssri is less harmful than an snri