muscle wastage: Hi I have cirrosis of... - British Liver Trust

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muscle wastage

kaya12 profile image
8 Replies

Hi I have cirrosis of the liver and had a grip test done 3 over the past 4 months and my average grip strength is 3.5kg in each arm which im being told is bad they havnt offered any advice on how to combat this ive upped my protein and tried swimming but i find this very difficult with the strenth in my arms

Any advice greatly appreciated

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kaya12
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8 Replies
carole-shaw profile image
carole-shaw

Hi I have PLD and very bad muscle wastage. I was referred to dieticians and given ensure and a renapro protein shot this has helped improve my muscle mass. Hope this helps.

Hi kaya

Hmm im not knowledgeable on this at all. Only thing i can say was i was prescribed Fortisip before my transplant and also now post transplant. The aim was to stop the body “eating” my muscle/fat during the night in particular. I was also tol to have a small snack before bed as another aid to stop it happening (sorry im not very good on the it - she told me but the tablets give me brain gog and memory loss hehe). Now where was I? Oh yes..good luck. There are loads of people on here that DO know what they’re talikng about - hopefully they’ll be along soon 😀

Good Luck

Miles

🇧🇧

Yuiop profile image
Yuiop

I’ll be happy to follow your post, no muscle left on my hubby. Hope you get some answers which help x

AyrshireK profile image
AyrshireK in reply toYuiop

He'll probably see the dietician at Liver Transplant clinic - hubby saw one first time we went and she did a full work up, weight, muscle mass measurements, grip test and then put him on a high carbohydrate, high protein diet which certainly worked for my hubby 8.5 stone to 11 stone and regained muscle. Lovely lassie but no messing - especially with the Irish lady kick boxer - you'll know her when you meet her.

Once assessed for transplant hubby was also put on Ensure supplement drinks and they really helped.

Dietician generally always at t/p clinic so you can ask to see them each time or normally they have you on their list too to be seen.

Katie

Adelou profile image
Adelou

Have you been referred to a dietitian?

Hubby had bad muscle wastage and fatigue prior to transplant after following a stint of pneumonia, ecoli & sepis. He was told to have a high carb, protein & fat diet & throughout the day had to eat 50g snacks such as cakes & sausage rolls or jacket spud with beans & cheese & one before bed to feed his liver during the night while sleeping so his liver stopped feeding off his muscles.

AyrshireK profile image
AyrshireK

Hi Kaya, you need to ask to see a dietician, they will give you a proper diet plan to ensure you are fuelling properly - you need regular carbohydrate through the day and especially before bed plus plenty protein to maintain (rebuild muscle). My hubby was 8 1/2 stone when he first went to transplant clinic and was immediately put onto a special end stage liver diet plan (weight watchers in reverse - loads of carbs, loads of protein, less veg and fruit). His weight steadily went up and when assessed and listed for transplant he was also put on Ensure supplementary drinks (4 a day). His weight went up to 11 stone and he regained muscle mass. He was eventually delisted from t/p list because his condition stabilised and he is maintaining this weight.

Katie

Hi,

If you have a liver condition, there are some special considerations you may need to make in your diet to stay nutritionally well and to help to manage your condition. Some of these are specific to certain liver diseases, others relate to how advanced your liver disease is. We therefore always suggest that people should discuss their specific dietary needs with their own doctors in the first instance. Your specialist can then choose to refer you on to a hopsital registered dietitian for a specific diet plan.

Best wishes

Trust1

Hi kaya12,

My husband is the one with liver disease and he had muscle wasting.

The other replies all are offering some excellent advice. I'll just add my

2 cents. First I'd try to consult with your doctor or his office and see if they can suggest and refer you to places that will help, as many have suggested.

My husband fell 4 separate times as he was recovering from liver & kidney failure - so he broke his foot twice and his hand twice - same foot & same hand. The doctors we went to had him going to Physical Therapy for his hand and the exercises to improve muscle control and strength helped him regain strength in both hands. They measured his grip strength once a week during treatment. His liver doctor did say that muscle wasting is a big issue in cirrhosis. He is not back to before strength, but is much stronger in every way including his grip - it does take time.

Best wishes and good luck,

Mary

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