Hello all. I was hoping you could comment and talk about how important an eating schedule is for people with cirrhosis. My fiancé doesn’t think it’s important, no matter what I say. I want him to understand the importance of this as he had muscle wasting when he was diagnosed in December. He has an appetite, he just goes a long time without eating for some reason, he’s always been that way. Thank you in advance.
The importance of eating : Hello all. I... - British Liver Trust
The importance of eating
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Mywildlove
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54 Replies
•
Hi
I have Nash with fibrosis but I know it is very important to eat regular meals, mainly little and often cooking everything from scratch. Love and hugs Lynne xxxx
Mywildlove• in reply to
Thank you Lynne! I cook just about everything he eats and it’s all healthy from scratch. He just doesn’t see the importance of how often he should eat. I shouldn’t nag him so much but I worry. I hope you are feeling well♥️
• in reply toMywildlove
Hi
Thank you
I've not been very good of late. I did phone my consultant's secretary who is lovely. I wanted an earlier appointment than next February but I'm due to have electrodes injected around my liver to see if that will help with my pain. She said if it helps he may take over my care. I'm very anxious about it and my GP told me to ask lots of questions as I don't want to end up worse!! Sorry for rabbiting in as this is your post. Love and hugs Lynne xxxx
Popel• in reply to
Hi lynne.sorry you’re in pain.have the consultant’s any idea what could be causing you pain?paul
• in reply toPopel
Hi
Yes, my liver is so large it stretches the capsule around which causes the pain. Thank you for asking. Hope you are ok. Take care Lynne
• in reply to
Ooh Lynn that sounds awful, you poor thing. Hope they are able to sort that for you
Love Laura x xx
• in reply to
Thank you so much xxxx
Mywildlove• in reply to
Lynne don’t apologize, we are all here to help and support each other. You’re free to talk about what’s going on with you on my posts. I’m sorry you’re hurting and I hope the injections help your pain. I’m sure you already have but make sure you read about it a lot so you’re well informed about what could happen. I hope you’re feeling better today, even if it’s just a little bit!
• in reply toMywildlove
Thank you xxxx
• in reply toMywildlove
Keep doing what you're doing honey. Its exactly right xx
Bootandall• in reply to
Hi Lynne sorry to hear you are feeling poorly. I hope you can find some relief, stress makes everyone feel worse!
Hi. I was in the same boat. I had the appetite but when food was put in front of me it was a no go. I seemed to be better off with spicy food, little and often, especially last thing at night. I lost a serious amount of weight before my transplant in muscle wasting. Please believe me, it's so easy to loss the weight but it's not so easy getting it back. I really hope everything works out for you both.
Hey D, I used to go all day without eating until I got home from work. Thats a no no with cirrhosis for so many reasons. Its not just muscle wastage its more than that. Malnutrition is something that is proven to complicate liver disease and progress it. Especially in both Alcoholic and NAFLD. When the liver is damaged it already has a harder time taking in and properly storing nutrients as it is. Going extended periods of time without eating will exacerbate these problems no doubt. Also glycogen storage is typically pitiful in cirrhosis. This is how healthy people get their short term energy. Because its not stored well at all in cirrhosis, constant eating is necessary to keep that energy present. This would add as well to your previous post about him feeling worn out. One of the most crucial advice I was given by my hepatologist and from the dietician was "do not skip meals!" This includes a carb snack before bed to give the liver something to chew on so its not going at you while you sleep.
Sorry Billy if im getting you yelled at by D with this messege lol. But its for your own good brother! 🙂🙂
Bajamama• in reply to
Hi Phoenix....
I struggle with maintaining a healthy diet....
Are there specific things you do or do not include in your diet?
• in reply toBajamama
On a regular I eat alot of vegtables and fruit, greek yogurt and wheat carbs. I do eat meat. Chicken a few times a week and I will eat tenderloin steak maybe once or twice a month.
For the most part I just keep the saturated fat out as much as possible and definately try to rarley eat anything with added or refined sugar. Sugar is really one of the worst things to eat. Salt is really not an issue as long as its within the normal daily recommended amount. In fact you need it as an electrolyte. Salt only becomes an issue if you have been told by a doctor to limit it for reasons like fluid retention etc. A couple hepatologists have told me that its really becoming old thinking to limit it for liver health otherwise and there is alot of new studies adding to that proof as well l. This is similar to how once upon a not to long ago time protein was something doctors told people to cut back on with liver disease..We now know thats a horrible idea.
If you are in need of losing weight than you may need to adjust your diet a bit to lose some of the pounds but, if your at a healthy weight and are compensated than there really isnt to many restrictions on you. Basically follow a Mediterranean diet and eat what any healthy fit person would eat.
Bajamama• in reply to
Thank you
Mywildlove• in reply to
Thank you Phoenix, I’m gonna screenshot your response and show it to him. Hopefully he listens! You can’t get him yelled at anymore than he already is, trust me hahaha
Any long gaps lead to the body burning muscle and leading to increasingly poor body condition - remember the heart and diaphragm are also muscles so if they get depleted then overall health is going to go down hill and perhaps if it comes to transplant assessment he wouldn't be healthy enough. Malnutrition is common in those with cirrhosis and this can also be a contraindication to transplant.
I know that my hubby actually crashes and burns if he goes any longer than 2 hours without food - it's as if someone pulls the plug and both physically and mentally he switches off.
We got an amazing leaflet from liver unit dietician which explains all this in easy to understand language.
Katie
Thank you Katie! I’m going to show him your comment and hope he listens!
• in reply toAyrshireK
Thats a great point about the diaphram and heart. I never even thought to consider that a possibility Katie.
I know it's important to eat, but I just didn't want to in the last 18 months before transplant and I hated hated the nagging it was what caused so many arguments with my family and friends... We're not doing it on purpose I just didn't have any appetite, that's why I was put on the protein drinks 8 times a day and even then I didn't manage them all.... There is nothing I can suggest apart from speaking to his consultant / gp about it.... It got that bad with me they wanted to put a feeding tube in but I refused that as well
The nagging gets to both of us too. I hate doing it and he hates hearing it. I would rather irritate him than watch him get sicker so he’s gonna have to deal haha I hope you’re doing well after transplant. Did your appetite come back all the way? And thank you for commenting!
I understand your worried and not going to stop because you love him 😊 I just wish I had more helpful advice but I just know that nothing would of made me eat and it isn't great because I did lose all my muscles 💪
And god it come back with a vengeance, the day after my transplant I ate liver and onions 😂😂😂 and asked for more, I didn't even order it, I asked are you taking the piss 🤣🤣 but I found it hilarious and asked if it was mine
I ate for England the last 2 years that's why I am overweight but last few months on a more sensible diet now x
• in reply toMywildlove
Is he on the protein shakes & taking them without protest?
I must confess that l too am very much like your husband in that respect. "I eat to live, not live to eat" (this is an old Greek Cypriot saying). I just eat when l feel hungry, a lot of people eat at set times of the day, it's one o'clock so its lunch time. We then eat out of habit, and not because our body needs to. I have just one meal a day at around 6:00pm. I rarely eat during the day, my body just isn't used to it anymore.
As they say up in Yorkshire, "There's nowt as queer as folk".
Mywildlove• in reply to
See, I just don’t get that. I think about what I’m gonna eat the next day! Haha
I’m gonna have to google that saying, I don’t know what it means but I love how you guys talk and word things.
• in reply toMywildlove
en.wiktionary.org/wiki/ther...
Cobwebs• in reply to
Lol. I was married to a Northerner and phrases like that warm the cockles.
Radnor• in reply to
Me too. I did this to lose weight and it worked! Most mammals eat when they are hungry or food is available.apart from most Humans. I lost weight very gradually and it stayed off. Not eating at all has had an awful effect on me. I wasnt allowed food for 9 days after my recent op. Not even milk in a brew. I am only just rebuilding muscle tissue and regaining strength. We are all on different points on the cirrhosis spectrum too,, which does cause confusion for many re dietary needs.I need to gain strength then go low carb again. I was told by a Prof that even with cirrhosis, I can help my liver by reducing liver fat.
Thanks all! I’m gonna show him your comments and hope he listens. He’s never been a huge eater, even before he got sick he could go all day without eating. He would forget to eat, which is like a foreign language to me haha he does have an appetite but it doesn’t really kick in until later in the day which is not cool with me. The months leading up to his diagnosis he was barely eating. After he quit drinking it got a lot better. It’s difficult with him because he is more of a eat a huge meal at dinner person rather than small meals throughout the day. Thank you all again, I hope you’re enjoying your weekend 😊
Hi all. I have been following this great site for 18 months but have never posted. I too have been suffering from muscle wastage and fatigue
Gone from being strong as an ox to feeling very weak. My consultant said to eat lots of small meals throughout the day and having a bowl of porridge/ready brek just before bed. This is to keep the liver working during the night. Hope this helps and thanks for this great site and the support and advice it offers.
I had a great auntie who had a canary and a wooden leg, she used to eat her breakfast cereal at night before bed, my grandmother, who was her sister-in-law, thought that was so strange but somehow it endeared her to me. That and the canary lol
• in reply toBootandall
My son always eats cereal before bed, says eating his breakfast at night saves time in the morning !!
Bootandall• in reply to
Good one! 😄
Hi Mywildlove,
My husband is one of those who if he has a big meal is not hungry for a long time after. And yes, trying to get him to eat so he at least has bulk for the lactulose to work on can be a trial.
One of the things he does is he'll eat a granola bar or two for a lunch.
Hubby had noticeable muscle wasting at the beginning, but is much, much better now 3 years later without doing anything else. I think as he improves so will that. But I also believe a little gentle reminding [often called nagging LOL] can be helpful as long as it isn't over done.
Good luck and best wishes,
Mary
p.s. just to let you know - we just did a 10 day trip from Minnesota to Arizona with hubby driving most of the way, he is mowing and squirting weeds again and helping our sons work on their cars - so don't give up hope. It just can take a while. Not that I am not still vigilant and nagging.
Dieticians phoning today as I am completely and utterly failing to put on weight. I have kept a food diary. Will report back....
Went through my food diary and she had two comments. More double cream (calories and calcium) but less salt. Apparently salt is not good for ascites. Dilemma ..... If I buy double cream my husband will take advantage and he is already obese. Look after me first??
• in reply toCobwebs
Yes thats true. The only time.salt should be limited in cirrhosis is in the presence of ascites and oedema. The salt will cause your body to retain that fluid. And yes you look after you first love. Your health should be a wake up call to your husband and something that teaches him how to make lifestyle changes for your benefit and for his own! If he knows the double cream is yours as per doctor recommendation.. than that should make him keep hands off.
Best of luck🙂🙂
Cobwebs• in reply to
Thank you for your kind reply. I have tried everything with him and if I go too far he gets unreasonably defensive. Hey ho. His life. Oh, I love salt but apparently I can re-train my taste buds. As long as I can have a teensy bit on ripe, fresh tomatoes I am really going to try. Dietician was clearly in the know about cirrhosis and ascites so made it easier than having to explain my ‘issues’.
Sound advice and I will take note!
Love Deborah
• in reply toCobwebs
Stubborn is he? Well again put you first. Yes your taste buds will drastically make changes. I dont eat any processed foods or add salt to anything and now, if there is salt added to something it stands out like a sore thumb and just tastes awful. A bit here and there on your tomatoes shouldnt be to much comcern as long as it isnt everyday. Keep pushing forward and remember when it gets hard that nothing worth anything comes easy but, it does make the reward mean so much more to your self esteem and happiness than instant gratification ever can. ❤
Cobwebs• in reply to
He isn’t even particularly stubborn, just greedy. If I am eating slowly he takes food off my plate.
• in reply toCobwebs
I'd eat in a different room 😋
Cobwebs• in reply to
We live pretty separate lives. Not my choice. I’d love a cuddle every now and then. 😔
Hi, Mywildlove: it’s so important to eat 6 little meals. Don’t get yourself hungry. Muscle wasting is bad and difficult to gain back because you experience liver fatigue and other pains. In my case, everything went even my feet got smaller. Always bring a healthy little snack with you like apple and bananas and protein bar. Eat healthy and don’t drink. I’m sure you know about low sodium. Good luck and take care of your body- you only have one. Beefeater
Thanks again everyone! I’ve learned a lot reading through the comments 😊
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