Paniking

[Mctd]

Over the last 7 years I have been struggling with my health and, eventually diagnosed with Sjogrens syndrome and Fybromyalgia. I have now been told I have fatty liver and terrified 😨. On new years day I was taken to hospital by paramedics, who I think thought I was having a heart attack; my blood pressure was very high (its normally too low) and there was something in a blood test that they were concerned about. 9 hours later, I was sent home fro A n E with laxatives. A week later I still didn't feel great so went to see my GP. He was surprised they let me home without further tests as my liver enzymes were extremely high - he did a repeat blood test which came back normal and sent me for a scan. I got a call from the surgery 3 days later and they told me my scan showed fatty liver. I was shocked. I didn't ask questions because I was so taken aback, but was given a telephone appointment for the 10th March! I now can't sleep and can't stop thinking about it. I kerp telling myself if it was serious they would see me before then. I just wondered if anyone could give me any advice or tell me their thoughts on my situation x

[RugbyMama]

I know the worry you are feeling.

Fatty liver is not something you will tske a tablet for and it will magically go away. There are varying degrees of fatty liver disease ranging from just keeping an eye on it to liver transplant, and if you needed a transplant you would be very very unwell. Lots of people have significant liver issues and live healthy, happy lives with a few adjustments here and there.

Diet and gentle exercise will support your liver during this time until you have your appt, and avoiding alcohol which is a huge stress on your liver. It's worth noting that there are no pain receptors in your liver so the pain you're feeling could be pancreas, spleen or any number of things. With gall bladder, this may have been explained to you when you had your surgery but pain can persist even after removal.

Realistically 10th March is not that far away. Eat well, get some gentle exercise and practice whatever self-care makes you feel good until then.

[Mctd in reply to RugbyMama]

Thank you for your reply, to be honest if anything I thought it was my gall bladder at the time. When I had my scan they checked my spleen so lets see what the doctor says. In the meantime I've started cleaning my diet up, hopefully things will not be as bad as I fear.

[AyrshireK]

You need further investigations, the fact you have two auto immune conditions already may mean your liver issues are auto immune too so you'll need that investigated thoroughly before accepting a diagnosis of fatty liver disease.

Healthy diet and exercise are a must for fatty liver and the BLT has some excellent guidance on that and making lifestyle changes won't hamper your liver health even if it turns out to be something more autoimmune related than just fatty liver. 17xpvwx1p0y4h.cdn.shift8web...

Katie

[Mctd in reply to AyrshireK]

Thanks for your reply and the link you shared, I've downloaded it. I'm due to see my rheumatologist in a couple of of weeks as well so will discuss it with him.

[BritishLiverTrust3 Administrator British Liver Trust]

Dear Mctd,

If you [are in the UK and] would find it useful to talk things over, our nurse-led helpline is open Monday to Friday from 9am to 3pm on 0800 652 7330 (excluding bank holidays)

Best wishes

British Liver Trust

[Mctd in reply to BritishLiverTrust3]

Thank you so much for this, I will definitely give them a call. At the moment I don't even know what type of fatty liver I have and, I know it's the wrong thing to do, but have been on the Internet and doctor Google... What with everything else going on I feel totally overwhelmed and have no faith in my GP, thru have been worse than useless with my autoimmune issues - they implied it was all in my head.

[Tonbolt275]

6 month ago I was in your position, no help from the doctor or NHS to understand my condition. I read alsorts and frightened myself to death , I set in place a very strict diet and take no medication at all ,not even pain killers , giving my liver as much rest as I could , my last set of bllod tests have come back normal my liver nurse has no concerns with my liver even though I still have cirrhosis , but it has compensated and working normally. I have lost 2stone in weight and plan to lose another 3 stone . It can be controlled.

[Mctd in reply to Tonbolt275]

Oh thank you for your reply. I've not any alcohol for over a week now, not that I had a great deal - some weeks none, some weeks half/bottle of wine depending on where I am socially. I think my main problem is my diet. I was diagnosed with diverticulitis 6 years ago, my GP has never discussed it with me and struggle to eat healthy. On top of that I now have other autoimmune issues and some days I'm so tired I can't even be bothered to eat. Ive found myself lately just living on coffee and quick fixes like biscuits and flapjack, my sugar craving is awful. I'm off work this week, so making a really effort to get my diet back on track. The one thing that has crossed my mind is could it be linked to the medication I'm taking for Sjogrens syndrome or actually linked to the condition itself, i know it can affect your liver. Something i need to discuss with my consultant in a couple of weeks. Sorry for the essay but it's actually reassuring to talk to someone who's been in the same position.

[Tonbolt275]

⁹no sugar no salt very strict Mediterranean diet upto 6 cups of coffee a day with oat milk, protein in the daytime then b4 bed 10pm I have cornflakes or 2 weatabix basically a carb hit, you liver then converts this to protein overnight. so your not as tiered in the morning. I eat at least 150g of blueberries at breakfast too , I use easy garlic and easy chilli to flavor food too . Lots of chicken cooked in oven with olive oil .I have a 8oz rib eye steak 1 x month as a treat ,trying to walk 6000 steps a day ,but normally to a dog friendly cafe ,my staffy is well chuffed as she gets sausage lol. Going to start phase 2 very shortly gym 1 to 1 to drop another 3 stone ,I have bought a pedal assist bike too but need a traier 4 my staffy as she can't run 10 miles . I have never drunk or smoked. You must abstain from alcohol completely. To give you liver a chance to repair The liver is the only organ in you body that can repair its self , they say cirrhosis is not reversible but you can definally stop it getting any worse

[Mctd in reply to Tonbolt275]

You have a good plan there! I'm about 1.5 stone over weight which I am going to get off. It's crept on this last 5 years and I've known, I was superfit up until life took over. I'm going to drop to part time at work, I'm a teacher and don't need the stress anymore, I want to retire in 2 years anyway. Time to get some work life balance now...

[Tonbolt275]

Yes I should have done it 5 years ago

[Sweet_corn]

I am so sorry to hear about your struggles. I recently had to go to hospital as I was vomiting severely for over 24 hours following 4 days of flu like symptoms. Was given anti sickness via a cannula and put on a drip. Had bloods done. Was sent home 5 hours later not knowing what was wrong with me, only that it my liver was enlarged but that it wasn’t hepatitis . Was just told I’d be called back for more bloods to check my liver.

Called my GP 2 days later because I didn’t feel that I was getting any better. It was them who told me I had Hepatitis A with a generous dollop of gastroenteritis on top. I too am avoiding any pain killers to rest my liver. I was scared to death, had no idea what was wrong with me! I was so grateful to my GP, they have been my saviours.

I wish you all the best for your appointment and hope you have a good support network to help you through.

Sending love x

[Mctd in reply to Sweet_corn]

Thanks for your reply. I have tried to speak to my GP, I called the surgery, explained my situation and was told that, if it was serious the doctor wouldn't leave it 3 weeks and it was not urgent. I hope they are right... I have sjogren's syndrome which can affect your liver, so that and the fact I really haven't been looking after myself. has made me worried. In the meantime, whilst waiting to speak him, I have completely changed my diet, cut out sugar as much as I can and, alcohol completely. Fingers crossed the receptionist was right! Xx