Help and advice

[Nickyalsawwaf]

Hi. I am new to here but need some advice please My best friend has been diagnosed with cirrhosis of the liver. This is due to being obese all her life(not a drinker) she is so poorly and has fluid on her lungs, stomach and side she cant walk anywhere and is bed bound really apart from going to the toilet. They have just sent her home with no help, no doctors call or advice. The consultant said she is very poorly and needs to change her diet to she will die. I do not know what to do now, is she going to die, can I get her help? I have spoken to he Gp they aren't doing anything. Pls could I have some advice. Thank you

[Hidden]

Hi,

I think you may have just emailed us too? Please call the nurse led helpline on 0800 652 7330 and we can have a chat.

Warm wishes.

[Nickyalsawwaf in reply to Hidden]

Thank you I will do that.

[Bootandall]

I have compensated cirrhosis, but am also obese. I know that a proper diet and exercise are the first things to address, but having said that, l have also struggled with putting action to words.

My doctor recently recommended Noom, a behavioral based approach to weight loss that helps to deal with emotional triggers and develop a healthy relationship with food.

I haven't started yet, just wanted to let you know that there are some newer solutions out there that may help your friend cope.

Best wishes to you both! x

[Onesmallstep1969]

Sorry that your friend is so ill. But she has at least 2 things going for her. First, she has a wonderful friend in you, Two, she's still alive so there may be time to turn things around. Since she is bed-bound practically, she will have to change her diet if she hopes to turn her health around. The change that will be bring the most significant benefits to her health is reducing (with an eye toward eliminating) meat and dairy from her diet. She needn't worry that she won't have enough tasty things to eat. For now, get her meat substitutes (you should be able to find veggie burgers).

Two things, just make sure she eats oatmeal for breakfast. She can top it with any fruit she likes: blueberries, strawberries. She should use soymilk or almond milk if she like to cook her oatmeal with milk. Trust me, eating oatmeal everyday with help turn around her health. It reduces cholesterol, it's loaded with the B vitamins and minerals the liver needs, and your intestines love it. She should also eat an apple early (I eat mine with breakfast). The second thing is she should start her lunch with greens of her choice, for now( spinach, green beans, broccoli, kale, mache, asparagus, zucchini, you name it). Add something orange or yellow and a sprinkle of walnuts in the salad, plus balsamic and any other veggies she likes (potatoes, corn) . She can have a veggie burger also. She can also have pasta with meatless tomato sauce. Initially, of course, she'll want some meat. That's understandable. Just ask her to give it a week on the veggie burgers. Then, stretch that to two weeks. By then, her taste buds would have changed or started to change.

For drinks, keep water handy and once a day, drink a tall, glass of lemonade with stevia. Dinner can be a hearty soup (that could be store bought but watch the salt content). In two weeks your friend should begin to feel better. In a month she'll feel better than she has in years. There are a lot of plant-based resources on the web. She should download films and recipes and join groups/forums like this one. Good luck to you and your lucky friend!

[Onesmallstep1969]

Nickyalsawwaf I forgot to mention something. Your friend seems to spend all her time indoors, so she is probably not getting enough Vitamin D. Some experts say that up to 70% of Europeans are deficient in Vitamin D. Your friend should have her levels tested but even if she can't she get a prescription from her doctor for a Vitamin D supplement. If even this is not possible, she should take a Vitamin D supplement that gives her the minimum at least (400IU per day). Most doctors who are experts in this area recommend much higher amounts to help to bring her blood level of the vitamin up.

[Lam1e]

Hi

I think your friend really needs to get a referral ASAP to a Specialist Dietitian and I think she (or you on her behalf) need to be persistent! I don’t think it is at all acceptable that she has been sent home without a discharge plan🙏

[Nickyalsawwaf]

Thank you everyone for the advice I really appreciate the help. I will put into practice what you have said and push through with trying to get help. I tried the number the lady gave but couldn't get through, I will try again on Monday. Thank you.