Afternoon all,
Does anyone else struggle with weakness and shakes if you don't eat every hour or 2? I used to go all day without food and not be problem but now Its the complete opposite ! On a plus note I got another letter for appointment with consultant.. 19th Jan.. 3rd time lucky I hope!
Sounds as if your sugar levels need checking.
Hi, I have the same problem. I keep saying I must be the only person with liver disease to be gaining weight!!! I had lost loads of weight, and found it difficult to eat as I felt sick. My consultant said if I lost more weight they would have to either tube feed me, or at least give me those horrid ensure shakes. So I forced myself to eat, and the more I ate the better my appetite became, now if I don't eat very regularly I feel weak, shaky and start to feel nauseous.
I've gained 2.5 stones in the last two years!! Which now means my bmi is just over 25, so I'm classed as overweight!! Some of which might be fluid ( I've got swollen legs/ feet).
The liver stores glucose as glycogen, when we need instant energy its designed to release this back into the blood, when the liver isn't working well it can't do that. That is probably why we need to eat regularly?? Its probably a lot more complicated than that, but its something along those lines.
I'd agree, that it might make sense to have sugar levels checked. Speak to your consultant or gp, next time you see them.
Best wishes
My hubby was put on the reverse weight watchers diet (we call it) - loads of protein, carbs, ensure supplement drinks and eating often. Went from 8 1/2 stone soaking wet to 11 stone and even regained muscle mass. Probably technically over weight but they were delighted at liver clinic and in part it led to his removal from transplant list.
That's odd that his weight gain allowed for him to be taken off the list because my docs tell me that if I don't gain weight, I will never get on the list. I'm just at 7 stones coming back from 5 stones a few years ago. I'm a female but doc said that no one will transplant me til I put "meat on the bones." I eat but don't have much of an appetite, so I take supplements. My blood sugar was checked and registered at 35 (extremely low). I always wondered why I felt like I was going to pass out on occassions, and sometimes did. Drinking lots of water tends to help at times. Great luck to you guys.
Oh that's interesting! I lost weight initially but after a couple of months of eating a lot ( healthy foods) iv'e put the weight back on.. just under 2 stone iv'e put back on... lost and gained 2 stone within 4 months.. and it's stabilised now, luckily my appetite has been good, so no trouble eating. It's good to see i'm not the only one! Yeah i'll mention it ( along with a long list of other symptoms next month.
Thanks for your reply Wass71 
I can't say my diet is totally healthy, my Dr said eat anything as long as you eat. I only seemed to want starchy/ sweet foods, so puddings with custard and cakes etc. I'm now able to eat normal healthy food, but always fancy the naughty stuff too. I think I've got too much of a taste for it now.
My consultant said statistically those who are slightly overweight do better with transplant than those who are underweight. Probably more to do with those that are very sick are more likely to have had greater muscle wastage, therefore weight loss. But I'll take that as an excuse to eat some rascally things for now!!
Good luck and seasons greetings.x
Very good point. Eating actually encourages appetite. Hard to get the proverbial plane off the ground at first. But once it's in flight it's so much easier to do.
Hi, yes it is really tough at first, the smell of food made me feel sick. I found by initially only eating what I really liked, not necessarily thinking of nutrition meant I could stomach stuff. Eventually this resulted in improved appetite and an ability to eat all the major food groups. After Xmas I think I'll try and cut down on the naughty foods, as I don't want to put more strain on my liver. At least it got me eating regularly and improved my nausea.
I find eating every two or three hrs keeps the nausea at bay. Also finding drinking coffee (which I don't like) is helping a lot with stomach pains. Have a Happy Christmas everyone.
This is an excerpt from the diet and liver disease leaflet we were provided by t/p clinic.
When you eat starchy carbohydrate it is broken down into sugar (glucose). This is your body’s main energy source. Some of this energy is stored in your muscles and liver as a starch called glycogen. This is a back-up energy store to be used later when it is needed, between meals, if you have missed a meal or during a long fast such as overnight.
The liver co-ordinates the release of this energy until you next have something to eat; these energy stores are then replaced at your next meal. If the liver is not working properly and you develop liver disease symptoms, the liver cannot replace this store.
The energy from the food you eat only lasts for 2 hours. If you have liver disease and have no energy stores, your body must find an alternative source of energy after this time. Fat tissue is hard to break down quickly, so instead your body will break down its own muscles for energy. If this continues, your muscles will get weaker and waste away.
It is important that you try and eat regular meals and snacks containing carbohydrate every 2-3 hours.
To prevent muscle being used for energy and to keep you strong, it is important to ‘re-fuel’ your body regularly. Eating meals and snacks containing starchy carbohydrate every 2-3 hours provides enough energy to stop your body breaking down its own muscles.
Hi
You are wonderful explaining things I'm a language we understand
Thank you. Love and hugs Lynne xxxx
I wanted to add that it used to be advised by doctors that people with liver disease cut back on protein. If you see this advice online ignore it. Its out of date and very incorrect. As the post Katie put above mentions your body will start eating your muscle tissue. Your body will become what's known as " Catabolic" when this happens. It's the same reason after lifting weights you need to eat protein within the first hour after the work out or else it will go catabolic on you. So make sure you get that protein in to protect your muscles from wastage. When I first got out of the hospital I was having the same problem where I'd eat and 2 hours later had the shakes and felt like fainting. I was convinced I was diabetic. But after learning the facts like Katie posted I learned you just gotta keep eating. Which can be hard for those with a limited appetite. Luckily for myself my appetite is quite voracious. Not eating all day actually hurts the liver because you are becoming vitamin and mineral deficient. Malnutrition is very intertwined with liver disease. It actually just as much a cause of alcoholic hepatits as the alcohol itself. So many new studies are finding the relation of liver damage in people who drink without eating are far more severe than in those who eat while consuming alcohol.
Ok I'm done lol
😁best wishes
Hi ktan49,
My husband has not had these issues, but it seems others have given you some good advice here. I have trouble getting him to eat enough bulk for his lactulose, but he has regain muscle mass since his liver failure in 2015 and is more energetic, so I only nag now and again.
Good to hear your New Year is starting with an appointment with the consultant and good luck.
Best wishes,
Mary
I used to get the "Weak & Wobblies" as I call them, when I was drinking. I never had a sweet tooth then, so a slice of toast with marmalade worked for me. Since ditching the booze 2 years ago I have now developed a sweet tooth, and now have sweet things every day ( bring on the Haribo's😁 ). This is not good for my weight and struggle to lose some. Interestingly, after a recent blood sugar test, my result of 38 was deemed by the GP to be prediabetic, so if Punky's result was low at 35, what is the norm?
Merry Xmas to all,
David
Newly diagnosed with PBC - How often should I be monitored?
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