Diet,with cirrhosis.

Like to share advice on my diet,having seen a dietician at the hospital I was losing weight and feeling weak,it turn's out my body was eating my muscle due to cirrhosis,was told to eat chesse,cake's anything that your not suppose to eat,got to give it to the dietician it worked wonder's.I often come down stairs now and stuff my face with chocolate can not complain as I feel loads better.

[Health_matters1977]

This was me a year ago...! I dropped to 49kgs from almost double that alarmingly quickly and could lose kilos in my sleep. My dietician at the time said “you have a petrol tank with a hole in it, you have to keep eating high calorie to keep going” - the same advice cake, cheese, pasta before bed etc. I was also losing muscle and because I used to be a a LOT larger before I looked like a deflated balloon - I was willing weight to go on - definitely a first for me but it was an uphill battle. People were baffled and said “surely nobody can advise you to eat so much crap and especially not a dietician” but I raised this at every appointment that I went to and was told to carry on doing what I was doing.

Fast forward a year of no booze and eating like that, and I’ve gone from having a decompensated liver back to compensated and the cake days are well and truly over. However, I much prefer being able to eat a much more balanced diet, I never had much of a sweet tooth (my sugar was coming from booze so I absolutely craved it when I first stopped drinking) and gorging was against everything I’d ever known.

One thing that hasn’t righted itself is that although I’m now a decent weight and looking so, so much healthier, there is still lack of muscle and the plumper bits are really, really soft - like marshmallow texture, which I don’t like. I can’t complain though - I’m so lucky to be here typing this tale!

Very best of luck to you 🙂

[Popel]

Hi there I’m glad your feeling better.i was never offered a dietician when first diagnosed so had to research diets for cirrhosis.up until recently doctors and dieticians were advising on a reduced protein diet and it wasn’t till I was listed that I was told that the idea of of a reduced protein diet has been flipped and now advise you to eat large amounts.so the treatment of cirrosis is for ever changing.at one point I was eating a huge amount of veggies with fish and basically juicing anything that grows from Nettles to dandilions which I still do.but the improvement in overall health in eating extra protein and red meat can’t be underestimated as it transformed my energy levels and for the first time in five years started to put on weight again were the supper healthy diet was losing me muscle and reduced energy levels.but I still wouldn’t recommend eating high sugar or processed foods that are high in salt.cheese although a great source of protein contains huge amounts of salts.id always go with the idea of everything in moderation though but if your feeling better in the short term who’s to say what the correct diet for liver disease is.good eating anyway.paul

[AyrshireK]

My hubby was 8 1/2 stone soaking wet back in 2013 (skeletal). He also saw a liver specialist dietician who did a thorough exam including measuring muscle mass, grip strength etc. Hubby was put on the high protein, high carbohydrate (weight watchers in reverse) diet. He subsequently rose to and is maintaining weight at 11 stone and regained muscle mass. This increase in weight and his condition becoming more stable ended up taking him off the transplant list as he is deemed too well for transplant.

Katie

[Hidden in reply to AyrshireK]

That's great news my story is very similar I was on the transplant list then too for over a year and then taken off it as compensating well and continuing to do ok and have put on alot of weight through a high protein/carb diet.All the best to your hubby.

[alfredthegreat]

Hi Blue-moon. I went through this as well. My muscle mass down to virtually nothing. I was told at transplant assessment to allow myself treats and I joked that I fancied a Chinese takeaway and they said yes, even that is fine now and then at the moment. I was also told to eat often as the poorly liver can only store energy for a couple of hours and then the body starts taking energy from muscle. Also told to make sure my last meal of the day was high in carbs to take me through the night. Got to say it was nice to have some treats when all else was a bit dire. Best wishes, Alf

[jazzjam]

Thank you for that, I and I think many others do not think to ask for advice from a dietician because we don’t realise we can. I did go when the doctor referred me as I kept losing more weight.

I wish my dietician had told me to eat something before bed, love a good late night snack 😁.

Maybe we are all told slightly different due our bodies, height, results etc..I was told lots of protein, no red meat by my first consultant, lots of fruit, veggies and no tins, processed food, no cheese (apart from cottage cheese), maybe because a I had ascites then. For my treat of the day I was allowed 3 walnuts before bed.

For me it also worked, I gained muscle that now needs to be helped with exercise. At the first hospital where I was diagnosed I couldn’t walk up the two steps to the entrance I was so weak, the gentleman who’s job it was to welcome people used to help me up, I can skip up them now.

I wish you all the best 🌻

[alfredthegreat in reply to jazzjam]

Yes, at different stages we have different needs. Up until assessment I had been following a certain diet because I had cancer and not realising that I should be looking after my muscles and my bones too. It was only at transplant assessment ( decision suddenly made just in time) that I got all my dietary advice. Up to then I had been considered terminal and so I suppose nobody thought to tell me to try to preserve my bones and muscle mass. I'm getting stronger now at 8 months post transplant but it's been hampered a bit by my muscle loss and a bone problems. I didn't know about this site until post transplant. I wish I had because people on here would have put me on the right track for diet from the start. It's great to hear that you are so much stronger now. Keep at it. Best wishes Alf

[Hidden in reply to alfredthegreat]

Hey Alf. What did they suggest for the bones dietary wise? Also was it basically protien recommend for the muscles?

[alfredthegreat in reply to Hidden]

My bone problem wasn't discovered until after my falls and spinal fractures 4 months post transplant. Probably caused through 3 years on daily chemo tablets. Now I have I Alundronic Acid tablet once a week. twice daily calcium and vitamin D. Have to eat lots of low fat dairy, greek yogurts, and cheese in moderation, semi skimmed milk, cereal etc. For muscles at assessment protein and carbohydrate. Especially big intake of carbs at bedtime.

[Hidden in reply to alfredthegreat]

Awesome thats good info to know. Thank you!