Fatty liver

[Argyle46]

Hi everyone . I have just been told that i have a fatty liver .This was a shock to me i now feel really anxious all the time .I cant sleep i am tossing and turning all night worrying about whats going to happen next.If anyone has got tips on dealing with the insomnia i wil be very gratefull.

[Hidden]

I think once you know what's caused the fatty liver and what you need to do to let it recover, you will be able to sleep

[Argyle46 in reply to Hidden]

Hi laura.Thanks for your reply. I made a lot of changes to my diet i am hoping i can turn this around if i can i will.

[Hidden in reply to Argyle46]

Great stuff all the best wit that. Kalms apparently is good at helping with sleep. Also plenty of fresh air and exercise. And yoga during the evening followed by a long hot soak in the bath... but probably not during this hot weather!

[Argyle46 in reply to Hidden]

Thanks for the tips.I used to do yoga when i was younger looks like i will be taking it up again.Thanks again

[Hidden in reply to Argyle46]

It's never too late. My husband has polymyalgia rhumatica and read that yoga is good for that so at the ripe old age of 56 we joined the over 55's session.... we are the youngest ones there !! 😃but it's a great laugh and although he's very stiff due to his condition it is helping to reduce the pain. Have fun and here's to a happy healthy lifestyle 👍

[briccolone]

hi join the fatty liver club....listen don't let this get you down. Yes, fatty liver is a disease but it can be tackled. Main thing is diet and exercise-if you drink alcohol-reduce or stop. this will help liver function anyway which in turn affects your sleep. Try and reduce carbs-eat fresh veg/fruit. Get moving-all this will help. Don't worry too much.

[Argyle46 in reply to briccolone]

Hi Briccolne.Thanks for your reply.I have stopped drinking and i have changed a lot of my diet i am eating more fruit and veg and lean meat.I am hoping to turn this around if i can.I know i am not on my own with this and it helps to know that i can come on this site and get info if i need too.

[Hidden]

Hi Argyle, what Laura has written is correct. You really need to wait until the test results have come back, and even then they may be inconclusive. Please don't go worrying as Fatty Liver is totally reversible. In some respects you are fortunate as some people can go on to develop cirrhosis and not even know it. Your doctor, or specialist may order up a fibroscan to check the thickness of the liver, or even an MRI scan. Don't worry about these as it's quite normal.

Rest assured, your now in safe hands. Please don't be tempted to look at remedies that you think might help.

I remember when my liver was damaged, I knew that the liver stored a load of iron, so I thought if I was to start taking iron supplements this might help. Fortunately I happened to ask my then consultant about this. He went on to explain that there was more iron in a damaged liver than there was in a healthy one. So I could have ended up doing more harm than good. Please also don't go reading too much on the internet. Some American sites can be too extreme.

As for the insomnia, sleep problems are one of the side affects of liver damage. I personally wouldn't take anything if you can help it. Don't forget that all tablets and medication always come with side effects and as they all have to pass through the liver and be processed I'd be careful. I've now gotten into the habit of reading the leaflet in the tablet box about possible side effects. If it reads, "May cause Kidney or Liver damage", then don't take them and refer back to your GP. What may help with the insomnia is reading the governments brexit strategy, or try watching re-runs of Jeremy Kyle.

Stop worrying.....

[Argyle46 in reply to Hidden]

Hi Richard. Thankyou so much for your reply.I am glad you told me about the iron supplements because guess what i did the same as you and bought some supplements.. I will stop taking them untill ive see the docter. Thanks again for the advice.

[squitten in reply to Argyle46]

Plenty of healthy eating recipes on the food channel on youtube, or you can always ask your doctor to refer you to a dietician. beat wishes. x

[Argyle46 in reply to squitten]

Hi squitten Thanks for your reply.I am seeing the docter next week so i will ask her then. Take care and thanks again

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

Hahaha love the sleep remedy Richard 😂

[19581979]

Hi

I have fatty liver as well. It is also behaving as if I have cirrhosis. I don't have cirrhosis but a spinal cord injury means it is behaving that way. My last blood results were an improvement. The reason cutting down on things like cakes, biscuits, crisps, take -aways. Looking at portion control and substituting my sweet carbs for fruit. I had 2days a week being a bit more lenient on myself. The only supplement is omega 3,6 and 9 oils as I don't eat enough fish. I do what exercise I can.

It really helped but I hit a problem of bad habits. I went back to stress eating when I had some serious reading and writing to do. So I have to work on good habits again as they made a major improvement on me. So much that if I had kept up the work I would be back to my ideal weight. Instead I'm still under what I was but it is going to mean back to basics. By the way take-away meals are a major carb, fat and overall calorie nightmare. Go to the various bmi and portion websites they are brilliant. The British liver trust has a lot of info as well that is good. But due to my exercise issues I had to really look at my carb issues. I get most of my carbs from my fruit and veg. This means I only need a little cereal every day in my diet for the food value not bulking out my diet for energy.

The main way I found was look at what you need for healthy eating e.g. Plenty of fruit and vegetables, small portions of protein, a little fat and carbs. You need roughage but plenty of fluid to go with it, or you will hit problems.

I think from hard experience which, I am still cross with myself about this time, the other issue is your weak moments. Identify when you comfort eat if you do, and see how you can deal with that time better. I'm still working on mine. I'm going to have to make sure I make tiny fruit portions or veg snacks. I love to chew when I'm thinking or writing. Having reports to write and I had a few recently is a killer for me.

By the way better eating actually helped my sleep pattern. Exercise done at the right time and giving yourself time to relax before settling down to sleep also helps.

Good luck

Gill x

[Argyle46 in reply to 19581979]

Hi Gill. Thanks for your reply .I have made quite alot of changes to my diet already .The one thing i do find hard to cut down on is bread but i have changed from white to whole meal i am hoping this is better.Thanks again x

[19581979 in reply to Argyle46]

That is a good start. If you can cope with a seeded wholemeal it is good as it gives more roughage and will fill you up for longer. It is hard but I'm sure you will do it. If you manage it, for a while you may feel a bit exhausted to begin with but after a while I found I felt better and had more energy.

Good luck

Gill x

[Nyork10]

Hi there, I suffer from really bad insomnia also and it isn't fun! I find having something like a hot chocolate with milk helps or a herbal tea, I've had a discussion with my GP and liver consultant and they have both agreed that when things are really bad and I'm in dire need of sleep to take zopiclone. I only take it perhaps once or twice a month and it gives me enough rest that I can manage a week or so with only a few hours sleep.

I actually would reccomend putting the tv or radio on as Richard suggests but I wouldn't advocate watching jeremy kyle re-runs you'll just end up with nightmares!

I hope you manage to find a solution that works for you - its not nice trying to function without any sleep x

[Argyle46 in reply to Nyork10]

Hi Nyork.Thankyou for taking the time to reply to me. Thanks for the advice .I will deffinatley not turn to Jeremy kyle for help i am not that desperate yet !

[MalcolmCClark]

Hi there

I was told that I had a fatty liver many years ago and although it was suggested that I change my diet and lifestyle it didn't seem to concern the doctor to much so to be honest I just carried on as normal. However I tried to have bariatric surgery in November 2016 when they found I had cirrhosis of the liver. Yes I have non alcoholic fatty liver dieses. There is more about this in recent media and is becoming a huge concern. I have had my bariatric surgery now back in march which involves an extreme diet and lifestyle change. I had a stomach bypass op. This will help my liver and my type two diabetes.

I am not suggesting any thing drastic but the dietary advice given is to have a high protein low fat diet and reduce meal sizes. It sounds like you have done some adjustments which I'd great. Yes the liver can play tricks on your mind when it doesn't filter properly but just try not to worry. Yes follow all the relaxation advice above and try and think of happy positive thoughts. Do not get stressed out by it and if you do get up in the night try and return to bed if you can. The thing is not to worry. If you are still struggling I find that righting your concerns down and post them here helps me. Writing things down gets those things out of your mind.

That's it really I hope all the advice helps and know that you are not alone.

[Argyle46 in reply to MalcolmCClark]

Hi Malcolm.Thanks for your reply.I am trying not to worry but it is hard. I have had a lot of replys from a lot of very lovely people on this site . It has helped a lot to know i am not alone.x

[MalcolmCClark in reply to Argyle46]

Hi there again

Depending on the state of your liver will depend on what symptoms you will experience from fatigue to confusion to sleepless nights plus a few others. The yellow in your eyes can be a symptom. Mine are slightly yellow but my consultant st Kings is not too concerned. Just go with advice from your doctor. With adjustments in life it can be reversed. Most people these days have a fatty liver because of western life but as time goes by treatment and advice will improve. I am in early stage cirrhosis and due to go back for my next 6 monthly check up in June. I'm sure that you can beat this.

If you need to chat more privately about your concerns or any questions please just ask as I don't mind helping out.

Malcolm

[Argyle46 in reply to MalcolmCClark]

Hi Malcolm. Thanks so much for your concern i really appreciate it.I will wait till i get my blood results on Wednesday and i will get back to you. To talk more privately when i get the results would be the best i think .Thanks again and take care x

[MalcolmCClark in reply to Argyle46]

Its my pleasure and hope the results are positive ones.

[Argyle46 in reply to MalcolmCClark]

Hi Malcolm. Ive got my results back today. Please let me know when youve got time to chat. Thanks

[MalcolmCClark in reply to Argyle46]

Hi there

my email address is [e-mail]. sorry for not getting back to you sooner and is late for me as I am an early starter. will you be ok if we chat tomorrow morning when I am not so sleepy. If not when is a good time? Please email me and I will send my phone number.

[briccolone in reply to Argyle46]

Post them to me if you want as well

[MalcolmCClark in reply to MalcolmCClark]

Hi there hope your trip away went OK

[Argyle46 in reply to MalcolmCClark]

Hi Malcolm My trip was good thanks. I am going to see the doctor tomorrow to see if i can get my self referred as i am still having those symptoms i told you about. I will let you know what happens. Thanks

[Netty18]

Hi, I’ve recently been diagnosed with NAFLD too. I saw the Hepatologist 2 weeks who says I’m doing the right things (eating plant based diet, exercising, coming off most of my prescription drugs) He wants me to lose 5-10% of my body weight as that can reduce 50% of the liver fat. If my blood levels are continuing to rise he wants me to have a fibroscan and biopsy.

What are you particularly worried about?

[Argyle46 in reply to Netty18]

Hi Netty Thanks for your reply. The thing i am most worried about is the fact i have some yellow in my eyes which i know is jaundice. The doctor has seen this and just ordered more blood tests .I am due to get those results this week coming. Thanks again x

[Netty18]

I had my Fibroscan this afternoon which scored 8.8, how are you doing now? X