Does stress affect liver function ?

[Ewife]

My husband has cirrhosis and is decompensated, although keeping relatively stable with medication. However, over the last few weeks he has been suffering more noticeably and able to do much less than usual. We have just been through a period of intense stress/bereavement/trauma and I'm wondering if this has had an effect on his ability to compensate? As in, physically, is the liver function directly related to stress hormone productions etc or am I imagining this? Trying to work out if he needs to take time out to recover, or if this is just a progression of the disease which he needs to keep fighting. His trend in blood results have also been not as good the last few times.

Thanks

[wilmawemyss]

Don't know but it can probably have an affect. I feel for you and your husband. Going back into rehab today but suffering so much from pain all over. Its a horrible disease and no one would choose to be this way. Take care

[Ewife in reply to wilmawemyss]

Hi! All the best I hope you come back feeling stronger soon. I'm so thankful to be able to say that despite having incredibly difficult times and loss thrown at him, he's never once struggled with the bottle which proves the theory that he hasn't ever had any addiction. He had a big thumbs up from his consultant last visit on this which is a relief to know they acknowledge that. This is why I'm wondering if recent ill health is due to stress or just general progression.

[Hidden]

Stress in itself is a big enough problem to deal with, but it does also impact other health issues directly. I'm a type 2 diabetic and stress definitely affects glucose levels. Whether that would affect the liver I do not know, but I think it is very probable. It is definitely worth checking with a doctor and maybe even getting someone to talk through your loss, both of you. I know my wife starts to get stressed when she senses I am stressed.

Considering recent events, he sounds like he is in total control of alcohol, which is wonderful. I hope he can find a way to lower his stress levels and that his tests start showing improvements quickly.

Dave

[Zukosmile07 in reply to Hidden]

Here, here Dave.... totally agree. X

[Jebediah454]

Stress releases the human hormone Cortisol (as does alcohol) I believe it is the livers job to regulate/deal with cortisol so i think it can cause stress on the liver.

I believe Cortisol can also decrease glycogen synthesis (glycogen is a form of glucose energy we use) which if i remember correctly leads to increased risk of fatty liver.

The things you retain from watching liver disease videos!

[Ewife in reply to Jebediah454]

Thanks - thats exactly what I was wondering. It's It's fascinating, complex organ isn't it, the Liver. I'm sure it isn't given the respect it deserves!!Nurse rang this morning saying that yesterday's bloods show pre-diabetic levels - I reckon this may also be related.

We think he has picked up a minor virus or something, yesterday was the first day his Liver symptoms were truly debilitating. He had a bad headache all day felt very nauseous, hasn't eaten since Monday, and slept a lot of the day. His voice sounds shockingly weak......I know we are lucky that he has kept so well so far, but it has shocked me how little it has taken to floor him.

[Jebediah454 in reply to Ewife]

Liver failure will lead to complications like type 2 diabetes and eventually metabolic syndrome - the liver is involved in 500+ functions of the body. So when you say "how little" it has taken, I can assure you, its more than just a little, the liver controls so much of the body's functions.

The more you read about it, the more fascinating it becomes, and the more you truly do realise what you've taken for granted for many years

[AnxiousCanadianChic]

I have stage 3 fibrosis according to my fibroscan but I don’t have any known contributing factors. I have 2 GP’s and an internal medicine Dr. perplexed as to why I have this, needless to say I have done EXTENSIVE research and have read many places that stress can cause it. I have suffered from really bad anxiety since I was a child and it just gets worse as I get older. For the past 15 years my life has been hell, from having my “dad” being scammed continuously by a woman in Thailand, my mom dying and me being stuck in a horrible taxing relationship among many other smaller issues.

I have to wait 7 months to see a liver specialist but I’m pretty sure it is from stress as there doesn’t seem to be any other explanation. I don’t know if he has a specialist he sees but if he does be sure to ask them to be sure.

[Zukosmile07]

I can only speak for myself but I'm afraid everything effects me is cirrhosis decompensated. It could be stress it be so much as a little diet change. I've been into hospital and before I know it I'm being treatment for kidney failure.It's a horrible nasty disease, the only way I tackle it is head-on first.

Meaning get checked with your consultant or a referral from GP straight to hospital. Because it might be nothing but it could be something.

I want to know straight away.

Then you feel so much better after.

From the heart that. Good luck Danny x

[Ewife in reply to Zukosmile07]

Thank you. Rang the transplant co-ordinators this morning and they've requested he sees his GP face to face today and let them know what GP says. Not an easy thing to organise these days, but waiting for GP to ring back and hopefully will agree to see him.Xx

[Zukosmile07 in reply to Ewife]

Brilliant. I'm on the transplant list.I race you if you like.

That is me just having a little smile because I need it.

It's hard to deal with.

We are all in the same boat ⛵.

Always there for a chat.

Good luck....like you need it hey...X

Dannyx

[Ewife in reply to Zukosmile07]

I wish you better luck than we've had so far on this....! 2 false starts back in March, then he had a period of being so well there's been talk of suspending him to see if he continues to improve, now he's struggling again so who knows where we are 🤷‍♀️ it seems the way it goes - a true roller coaster ride. He's been fortunate enough not to be an urgent case, so we expected a long wait.I hope you get yours soon, you seem a lot more in desperate need than my husband has been, from reading your posts. It would be nice if we could get the transplant before my husband gets too ill, so that he enjoys a straight forward quick recovery, but that's probably too much to ask......

Take care

[Zukosmile07 in reply to Ewife]

No I'm sorry.I didn't know.

My only theory is that we all stick together in the same boat than being left on a liferaft alone.

I do struggle but I am doing this on my own. So I just tackle things head on.

I wish you both some good luck,news, anything you need.

Still not letting this thing beat me... Because I'm not having it.

See what the consultant says... X