I'm feeling depressed today

[Lara86]

I was feeling really good yesterday. The weather was warm and sunny and I felt positive. Today is cold and rainy and I feel really sad. I have no one to talk to. No one seems to think in sick because I have no visible symptoms. People don't know what fibrosis is, I didn't. I thought I'd outlive my dog and my 78 year old mother and now I don't know if I will do either.

Today I keep feeling a little twitchy feeling below my right rib that comes and goes. I started taking milk thistle and omega 3. I eat salad with raw spinach, beets and chicken. I don't know what else to do. I see my specialist on May 7. That's all I know at this point.

For those who haven't been following me I was just diagnosed in Feb. My fibrosis is from NAFLD due to metabolic syndrome. I'm in shock and denial.

[Hidden]

Hi Lara86

We are sorry to hear that you are feeling so low.

Please be aware that we don't recommend the use of alternative therapies such as milk thistle for those with liver problems as these have to be processed by the liver. They can actually damage the liver and make the situation worse. We believe more research needs to be done on the use of such therapies.

We would suggest you discuss this and how you are feeling with your specialist at your next appointment and get their advice.

If you are not already aware we do have information on NAFLD and diet on our website here:

britishlivertrust.org.uk/li...

britishlivertrust.org.uk/li...

Also please do feel free to call our helpline on 0800 652 7330 for more information.

Best wishes

British Liver Trust team

[Lara86 in reply to Hidden]

Thanks. It was actually my General Practice doctor that recommended the milk thistle. I only took it once.

[Hidden in reply to Lara86]

Hi Lara86

Please do mention this to your liver specialist and how you are feeling so low at present. Also do feel free to call our helpline in the morning on the number above if you want to chat through anything.

Best wishes

British Liver Trust team

[Wass71]

Lara, you poor thing feeling low is really horrid. I think its very early, since your diagnosis and that in itself can cause your mood to be affected. As you come to terms with things you may find these episodes are reduced.

With regard to your life expectancy, of course no one can predict how long someone will live, but what we can say is NAFLD and fibrosis are treatable with life style changes.

I know you've said that your work and metabolic problems make it difficult to lose weight. However I know from my own experience that even subtle changes can make an enormous difference. I found what I thought were normal portions were in fact often twice the amount I should have been having. It may be the case that with metabolic problems your calorie requirements are even less than the average for a woman. Making smart swaps and asking yourself if you really need rather than want what you are eating can help. I know this is really hard, but for you this is a way of taking control of your illness and improving your health now and in the long term.

I hate exercise, and have never done any consistent program of exercise. I have very bad fatigue from PBC, which makes it difficult to do any kind of prolonged or strenuous exercise. However I have taken up yoga and have found a very good teacher, who let's people work at their pace and to their own flexibility etc. You may not be interested in yoga, but there are other activities which may help physically and as importantly mentally. It has helped me greatly with my mood, I would love to think something could help you too.

I hope you'll feel better soon, try not to focus to much on the future and take each new day as it comes.

Take care and good luck.

E x

[Hidden]

Hi Lara86,

Sorry to hear you are feeling down. I have noticed weather has a big impact on mood, especially this time of year.

You could call your gp and let them know that you are having difficulty with your moods, I know my hubby's gp has added an anti-depressant to his meds based on how he is feeling. It must be difficult for you at this stage because you don't have more information about what is going on with your body and not feeling that you have someone to talk to can make it all worse. As I mentioned my hubby went from liver failure to today sitting beside me eating his breakfast and Sat & Sun shoveling 16+ inches of snow beside me. He also has other medical issues but his liver doctor said he has improved and can look forward to more decades of living a good life. He was bothered by not feeling as productive at work as his illness progressed so this may be effecting you, also and it may improve after you start seeing the liver doctor in May.

Thinking of you and wishing you good things.

Mary

[Foxman555]

Hi Lara, must admit I don't know what fibrosis is, I'm presuming it affects the liver, feeling good when the weather is fine, and feeling sad is common, your right in saying nobody can see this illness so you don't get noticed, if it was me I would write as many questions on some paper before seeing your consultant, then you can ask him as many questions as you want, I'm confused about my liver, some people suggest I will go on a transplant list, but no health professionals have mentioned this.

Good luck and best wishes Jeff

[Lara86 in reply to Foxman555]

Fibrosis is liver scarring. The term is sometimes used interchangeably with cirrhosis. Especially when googled. If it's caught early enough it can be fully reversible. Per my CT and US results everything is good. Portal and hepatic veins spleen, pancreas etc. Those are the positives.

My damage is due to NAFLD so I've drastically changed my diet but I can't change my genetics. The liver problem is not genetic but my predisposal to metabolic syndrome is.

I have an appointment with a liver specialist in May. I'm hoping she'll do a fibroscan to determine the extent of the fibrosis. Even if it's not bad it could get worse very fast and it could also turn to cancer. But it could also improve.

It's frustrating that 3 years ago when my first CT scan showed fatty liver I was told the scan was negative because what I was tested for wasn't there. I was told I had fatty liver and I should watch what I eat. I was never told I could get severe liver damage if I eat anything with corn syrup, which is in most every bit of food in the USA. I was never told how serious it was and that I really needed to eat just whole food grown in nature or I could die.

[Foxman555 in reply to Lara86]

It does appear confusing, I'm sure there are people on this site that could give you more info, all I get told is the liver is an amazing organ, but can only take so much then rebels, I think I've had my share of good luck, now I need to do the hard work, keep off alcohol, but it's been a crutch for me on so many occasions, times I didn't want to think about, it's about changing lifestyle, changing my habits, I must admit I was terrible, drinking bottles of wine throughout the night till asleep, and then waking up and continuing, what a dismal life, but it served it's purpose.

Good luck Jeff