First post. In need of a bit of a pick up.

[Sidepain123]

Hello all, tonight is the first time I have felt compelled to post on here since feeling RUQ pain starting about a year ago. The pain is there every day in varying amounts. Blood tests show high ferritin and ALT. I Have always enjoyed the odd drink - never to alcoholic standards but I have totally stopped that now.

I got the results of a fibroscan today that have scared me. the specialist has told me I may have NAFLD and the fibro showed advanced levels of fibrosis. He wants to do a CT scan and a possible biopsy at a later stage and I just can’t shake all of the scary thoughts from my brain. I’m only 32 and whilst overweight, have always been fit and active regularly running for miles. I guess I’m just worried about what may be causing these issues.

Can I recover my health with exercise and strict diet?

[Owlie]

Hi, welcome to the forum. Okay so the good new stuff is livers do react well to a healthy diet, exercise, weight loss and no alcohol. You say you are overweight so you need to get back into a healthy weight by doing things sensibly. I have been really lucky and the damage I have done to my liver is reversible and is reversing...specialist said it could take up to two years to recover and I don’t drink alcohol at all as I don’t like it. So, exercise every day and eat healthily. Cut out anything processed and red meat. I eat porridge, tuna sandwich/salad and chicken or fish with veg. Nothing fried and I drink a lot of water. Don’t go mad and start restricting yourself to silly diets as that can make things worse. I lost 3 stone and all my blood tests improved dramatically, as did my fibrosis score. Hope this helps and try not to worry Owlie

[Hidden]

It's a work in progress and looks like your specialist is on the case ticking all the boxes. Easy for me to say but try not to overthink things at the moment. If it's a may have, exercise & diet yes. Alcohol no. Only the professionals can confirm.

[Sidepain123]

Thanks for the replies guys, oats for breakfast and tuna for lunch with a 25 mile bike ride thrown in for good measure today but still feeling a bit defeated.

Is there anyone else here about my age that is going through something similar?

[Owlie in reply to Sidepain123]

Yes I am definitely 36...again! Seriously though, oats and tuna isn’t enough if you are on a 25 mile bike ride, you need to eat a bit more x

[Hidden]

Hi Sidepain123

Firstly welcome to this wonderful forum of lovely people who are not medically qualified but can give advice and comfort based on there own medical experiences!

I see Owlie has already written you a lovely message which is what I would have recommended ! Eat healthy and exercise is the main ingredients to a healthier life style, and if you give it ago in time you'll feel much better! I'm not saying it's going to be easy because it isnt at first! I found having a calendar helps and giving yourself a we target of maybe 7 or 8 lbs in a month which you must not stress over because we all fall off the wagon and crave naughty things including me now and then.

I too have lost over 3 stone but not by dieting ....(this is a word I dislike ) but by eating healthy foods like Owlie mentioned above!

You know what else helped me, I pinned photo's in my kitchen of Twiggy who I respect as she's similar in age and I like her dress sense. I also hung a little black dress in my kitchen that I aimed to get back into which I did ! 😁

Over the last few weeks I've not being feeling to well and have gone slightly off the wagon as I'm not able to do as much exercise as I'd like, but today another we black dress will be back hanging on one of my kitchen doors to give me that we boost I need! It's all about taking baby steps and avoid the D word ...diet as to me that's pressure which you do not want!

Good luck my friend and try to keep in touch daily, weekly, monthly or whatever helps you to focus and get well again. we're here to help and keep you focused on your goal

Love Trish x

PS I'm not sure if your m/f so if not female get pinning up what give you a kick...!

[Owlie in reply to Hidden]

I concur! God I have always wanted to say that, thanks Trishi!! Xx

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

He's just come out of the closet . Black dress?😁

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

There's nothing wrong with a black dress as I have many ..... maybe one day two black dresses together 🤣🤣🤣

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

Black jump suit then?😁

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

If it was black I'd be really happy as it's my favourite colour! 😂

[Sidepain123]

Thanks so much for the replies everyone. I'm hoping that this is something that has been caught early and that I can still have a full life ahead of me. Just awaiting the CT scan of that area now which should be within the next few weeks.

[broomhall79]

The good news is that yes you can reverse a fatty liver it you start to eat healthy and exercise and obviously with not sounding rude is to lose weight which will help and to cut down or even better to stop drinking you'll definitely feel the benefits of this lifestyle change . I hope this gives you peace of mind it won't change overnight but you'll get there maybe with help of friends to encourage you to join a gym what ever you decide good luck and all the best for the future