Cirrhosis and dealing with salt & sugar cravings

[Cazza_BDA]

Hello,

I have (3 mths ago) been officially confirmed by fibroscan & ultrasound with F4 Cirrhosis. Unknown to me, or not taking liver disease seriously, I have had pretty bad liver problems for at least 6 years.

To be honest, I am still trying to get my mind around it.

A few months ago, I was quite ill in hospital, Since leaving I have tried hard to change my diet etc, my blood tests were pretty bad, but am now nearly normal apart from the red blood count and GGT, but as much as I try. I cannot stop getting cravings for salt and sugar.

I feel well in myself, and am back at work part time on a phased return.

I have always used low sodium salt, and do now check labels on food items for the amount of salt.

Am I OK to use the low sodium salt as long as I feel well. Or am I causing real trouble for the future. I think the sugar cravings are because of stopping alcohol, and I cannot stop eating loads of ice-cream.

I am asking only because a kind nurse told me that although feeling OK on the outside, it is my inside which is in trouble and I could suddenly feel really ill.

Can someone just give point me in a righteous way...

Sorry for the message being so long, when there is a lot of more important messages than this one.

Thank-you.

[deanw41]

You message is just as important as any. Hello!! I have cirrhosis and I eat too much sweet stuff as well. Its been like this since I stopped drinking. I have cut down on salt for sure(added salt). For me it’s a balancing act of improving and maintaining ones health while still enjoying life, otherwise I can’t see the point. So I don’t have any answers for you, just empathy. Ps. I do exercise(Boot Camp) quite a lot and I don’t have any body fat,but I’m sure you can be fat in the inside. So who knows,I don’t, everyone says different including Doctors. My Nan was told by a doctor she could sip disinfectant when she was pregnant because she craved it!! And soon,apparently pigs will be used to grow human livers. So in ten years we could all be oiking and living in a pigsty 🐷🐷. Good luck on whatever path you take,it’s the same destination. See you there!!!!!

[Ewife]

Hello! My husband has been under a dietician since he was put under the transplant team. He was never offered one before this, but I think if you asked, you would be able to be see one. We didn't fully understand before this ( still don't understand that well tbf(!)but just try to do what they tell him). It's something to do with a healthy liver normally stores carbohydrates but can't do so with cirrhosis, so my husband has to eat little and often, lots of protein and carbs with each meal. Reccomend you see a professional though, because I suspect each person is slightly different in what they need.Atb

[Koosh]

Hi Cazza,

You can phone you're consultant and ask to be seen by a dietician. Even just for the comfort of a bit of support. They'll be able to give you specific advice that would work better for you.

I crave salt when I'm stressing out, it can be so frustrating. I do cook with low sodium salt. Sodium is still needed in the diet. Keep meaning to ask my dietician how much I can have but always forget. My hepatologist advised me it was okay to add a little. I've got to watch though - I've found the more salt added, the more the craving increases.

You could add pepper, lime/lemon or some heat from spices - really helps bring out the taste in food. I don't feel I miss the salt when I add a little spice. Never really liked spicy food before but am really enjoying a little kick from it.

With sweet things, I've been making Greek yogurt smoothies with a good amount of fruit. Reckon that's okay because it's natural sugars. Can't big them up enough! They're just so tasty. The favourite just now is strawberries and ginger. 😋 (I keep a root ginger in the freezer and grate some off when it's needed.) Nothing wrong with some ice cream either as long as it's in moderation I guess. (Blah lol)

Hope this helps a little. Take care and best wishes,

Kx

[Roots57]

I cut out salt and augers fairly easily when I realised they had destroyed my liver. Use pepper instead and buy plain chocolate with at least 75% cocoa in it. It kills craving and you can’t eat very much of it

[Cazza_BDA in reply to Roots57]

Thanks, I do carry course black pepper in my handbag. Bit of a mess, when the lids opens by accident....I do like dark chocolate, so will take that one on.

[steckles]

Hi Cazza, I agree it is a big deal to get your mind around the change in diet, especially with reducing salt, but we have found it gets easier. My husband has cirrhosis and since quitting alcohol 5 months ago and switching to a low salt diet he now eats sweet things every day that he never used to, including ice cream! As long as he's also eating daily fruit/veg and getting enough protein and keeping a stable weight (putting a bit on wouldn't go amiss tbh) then it's all in the mix - little and often. We no longer add salt to anything and shop for fresh ingredients or 'green traffic light' / amber at a push supermarket stuff only (e.g. crumpets. really hard to find low salt crumpets!)

Personalised professional advice from a dietician would definitely be best though to set you on a good path.

Congratulations on getting back to work, good luck & take care x

[Cazza_BDA in reply to steckles]

Thank-you

[jazzjam]

Salt I found hard at the beginning, everything tasted bland. Now I do not miss it at all. I do use Magic Salt, which is a blend ithoug any salt 😂. Its great to add to cooked things, stew, soup, omelettes etc… anything really. Sugar, I am still on an uphill battle with myself and chocolate, ice cream, boiled fruit sweets, pear drops, lemon sherbets, ooh anything. I was never a sweet person either. Dark chocolate doesn’t do anything for me, ai don’t particularly like it. I am just trying to tell my mind to say no, do I need it? am hungry?

[Cazza_BDA in reply to jazzjam]

Thanks Jazzjam, The UK does mot stock Magic Salt as a normal. Wish it did....