Are we allowed these?

[Herts87]

Hey hope everyone is ok, I was just wondering if ita ok to eat and drink acidic foods and drinks such as lemon juice and fruit juices? I have information saying it's fine to eat and drink those then I've seen conflicting comments. Can anyone help?

[AyrshireK]

Can't imagine why you would not be 'allowed' to eat or drink such things. Indeed some of the supplement drinks they give to those with late stage liver illness are fruit based.

I know my hubby can't or won't eat acidic things or anything citrus but this is because he has portal hypertensive gastropathy and when he did eat any of these things he would end up with the most extreme stomach and oesophageal pain. He does take honey and lemon in hot water when he has a cough or cold.

Certainly never read anywhere or been advised that he wasn't to eat/drink such things.

Katie

[teanchat in reply to AyrshireK]

Hi AyrshireK, I think I have a problem with citrus fruit and drinks too. I find I need to keep clearing my throat if I have oranges or even peaches. If I drink orange juice, I get pain in my throat. By the morning the pain is gone but the irritation of throat lasts for a few days. I now avoid them too. I have had Hep B for many years and didn't know that I had it, until 4 years ago. I do worry that my liver is worse than what my blood tests show which are in the normal range. I'll mention the throat pain to hepatologist next time I go. I didn't think it could be connected so didn't mention it before. I would appreciate your opinion on this too.

[AyrshireK in reply to teanchat]

I obviously can't diagnose anything but I would certainly mention this to your specialist. Way before my hubby ever knew there was anything wrong with his liver he had a few bouts of this massive pain after eating anything citrus, it was like the worst indigestion ever. It scared my folks the first time they saw it and that was a couple of hours after drinking fresh orange juice with breakfast.

He was diagnosed with portal hypertensive gastropathy when he had his first endoscopy (following burst varices) and has been on omeprazole ever since. He avoids the trigger foods and thankfully hasn't had a reoccurrance since then although additional foods have gone on to his off limits list - lasagne, pickles, coleslaw, grapefruit (once his favourite breakfast).

Do get it checked out. Maybe an endoscopy will be needed to check your oesophagus.

All the best, Katie

[teanchat in reply to AyrshireK]

Hi Katie, Yes, I will be mentioning all my symptoms to my liver doctor. Thankyou. All the best to you and your hubby x

[Pizamkazdw]

Hi, I am not sure whether you had transplant or not? I know you shouldn't drink/eat grapefruit, pomelo and pomegranate juice/fruit as it interferes with your immunosuppression post transplant. As to other fruit I haven't heard you should avoid them.

[Adelou]

Only post tx, hubby can't do grapefruit or cod liver oil in any shape or form as it will mess with his medication

Apart from that free reign to eat what he likes