Struggling with pains

[Beefeater]

Hi All. I hope everyone is on sunny mood and well. I’m almost one year since being diagnosed. I stopped alcohol, drugs and on low sodium but feeling lots of pains mainly anxiety, fears and physical pains. I’m eating fish, chicken breast, lots of veggies and fruits. My total Bilirubin was 1.9; AST and ALT about normal but still thin. Difficult to gain muscle weight when there’s liver fatigue. Does it get better after one year? Looking forward to replies. This is great support forum. Best wishes to all. Thank you.

[alfredthegreat]

Hi Beefeater. If your liver is not working as it should then it can't store energy for more than a couple of hours so after that couple of hours when your energy store is used up your body will then start drawing energy from your muscle. For some reason the body finds it easier to draw energy from muscle rather than fat. it's important to eat little and often to keep the energy stores up and also important to have a meal at bedtime that includes plenty of carbohydrates to help the body have the best energy supply during the night and lessen energy being drawn from muscle. Drink plenty of water as it's good for your body and internal organs in general and it helps in flushing out toxins. It sounds like you are eating very healthily but remember you do also need some carbs. I was told by the dietician at the transplant assessment clinic that people sometimes cut out carbs thinking that is a healthy thing to do but carbs are needed when the liver is not working well enough to store energy for an appropriate length of time. Congratulations on giving up alcohol and drugs. stick with the healthy eating, it's the best thing that you can do for your liver. Best wishes. Alf

[Beefeater in reply to alfredthegreat]

Thank you so very very. I did well last night and ate banana, yogurt and cup of milk. However, pain on shoulder and hip bad again this morning. I pray it will get better

[alfredthegreat in reply to Beefeater]

I used to get shoulder pain. I thought that it was a frozen shoulder but I was told that it was referred pain and from my liver...... Make sure that you look after your bones through this illness. When people are not feeling well they tend to spend a lot more time indoors and are missing out on natural vitamin D from sunlight (Sunlight that we don't get enough of anyway in this country!) I am now on vitamin D and calcium post transplant because I have been suffering problems with my bones.

[Popel]

The biggest tip I could give is to put weight on and retain muscle you need to eat 100 gram of protein or more and eat small regular meals every couple of hours.it worked for me.wish I’d been told this sooner.as my liver got worse and it constant need for energy so did my hunger.light headed episodes and became more irritated .also have you not seen a dietitian? All the best.paul

[Beefeater in reply to Popel]

Hi Popel. Doctor tells me limit protein due to possible ammonia which I had months ago. So I fear

[AyrshireK in reply to Beefeater]

Red meat protein can sometimes lead to an elevation in ammonia levels - however, there are other good sources of protein such as eggs and vegetable proteins (peas, beans, pulses etc.).

[pip-lit]

Hi,like you, i'm in fairly constant pain, mainly from my gallstones and hips. The doctors have been very reluctant (said no three or is it 4 times) to a gall bladder removal and new hips (due to a series of comorbidities which I have). This has gone on for about 5 years.

I lost weight (4 stone) and started to go to the gym. This cured my diabetes and helped with my sleep apnea, though didn't do much for the pain.

Recently though I've met a sea change. I'm on the waiting list to get my gallbladder removed, I'm to start getting steroid injections (next week), will get my varices banded and am starting talking therapy the week after, as the whole situation has been getting me down.

My wife will be pleased if I become less like Victor Meldrew.

All the best Bob

[Beefeater in reply to pip-lit]

Hi pup-lit. Happy for your progress. You’re doing well. Has anyone heard of TIPS surgery?

[TT-2018 in reply to Beefeater]

Here is a link that explains it:-

ouh.nhs.uk/patient-guide/le...