Protein shakes

[Skye48]

Hi there I have previously told my story so far and waiting for a referral to King's, I think. In A+E following a CT scan for RUQ pain i was told the liver looked very cirrhotic. I've joined the gym and since Christmas have lost 1 stone 8lb. I see a personal trainer twice a week which is really good for my mental and physical health. In myself I feel much better apart from the odd leg cramp in right calf but this seems to have improved eating some oranges . My personal trainer keeps talking about protein, building muscle, muscle wastage, weight loss and asked if I can take a protein shake. It's clearly going to be some time till I see a Dietician and as protein is so important I wondered if anyone knows if you can have protein shakes with cirrhosis and if so which ones? I'm trying my hardest to improve my health, lose weight and get physically as fit as I can. I hate to ask specific questions but it's not easy to get an answer anywhere and Dr Google scares me so try not to go on there. Any help would be much appreciated.

[QuietButBold]

So, very well done; with all your diet and lifestyle changes over the recent months. (It cannot have been easy among life's family and work duties).

If I am correct; in recalling you have yet to have your appointment with your Hepatology Doctor, (to discuss your cirrhosis / get the nature of it confirmed / get your treatment and follow up plan in place), I think you might still be safest sticking to getting your protein as: lean protein sourced from your natural food.

The BLT website cautions as follows:

"If you have a liver condition. Always check with your doctor or registered dietitian before taking any kind of supplement. If your condition makes it hard for you to digest fat then you might be given a food supplement to make sure you are getting enough energy and protein. Always take the supplement you have been given as advised.

Protein supplements

If you want to try a protein supplement, choose a whey protein isolate from a well-known reputable brand. This is especially important if you have a liver condition.

Supplements prescribed by your medical team or dietitian are carefully checked for quality and safety.

Not all over the counter protein and sports supplements are checked in this way. This means that what the label says may not be exactly what is in the product. They can contain large amounts of substances that are dangerous for people with a liver condition."

I realise it is super-frustrating how long you might have to wait to see e.g. the Dietician associated with your Hepatology Team, but, acting in isolation, you wouldn't want to act in enthusiastic haste and potentially risk regretting the long term impact.

[Skye48 in reply to QuietButBold]

Thanks QuietButBold this is what I thought that I'm eating chick peas, nuts, chia seeds, lentils, skinless chicken and turkey steaks and salmon and cod loin and cod fillets. Lots of fruit and veg, coffee, unsweetened soya milk and lots of berries! I think your reply is wise which is why I questioned it. My friend come for dinner last night, which was nice. She suggested making a list of questions from now as you think of them as when you get to the appointment you won't be able to remember. Trying to do my best to improve my health and my personal trainer is very happy with my progress. I'm going to have some counselling too through work. Get good days and bad but trying to stay as positive as possible and I think they gym has really helped with this.

[Skye48 in reply to Skye48]

Ps my hours at work have now changed so I made time for the gym, and am there of an evening to support my 2 special needs children too. I feel the level of stress is a lot less now.

[QuietButBold in reply to Skye48]

Your friend has the right idea about noting down your questions as you think of them (in preparation for attending your Hepatology Clinic.

AyrshireK kindly gave me a good piece of guidance like that when I prepared for my first appointment - Katie had suggested to me to have a notebook for such appointments. (Which I have set up and been using).

As I think of something I put in in that notebook and take it with me. I also note in there advice the Clinic give me. Ditto key results - just to help keep things in context / perspective.

I also quite like to draw myself a table in there to summarise e.g. what changes I need to make, what adjustments I have tried, have they become a new adopted good habit, future improvement ideas, a progress blocker with which I am trying to find a better way (so I might need the Clinic for their guidance).

Another thing which works for me; a sentence to remind me about a piece of key terminology - which I like to mark with a highlighter pen.

It maybe just me, however, I also like to print a good informative diagram (as I find them) and then stick it in my notebook too. Then, in conversation with a Clinician, they can both see what I have already understood since last time and it helps to provide a shortcut - by them annotating the diagram (as relevant to me) with the next thing helpful for me to know / consider / work on.

The notebook doesn't need to be all-consuming, more so, it may be a handy place to park "worry beads".

I like to use some coloured felt pens to also put a coloured box around key points, or asterisk something in the margin (that helps me to visualise the topic and navigate more quickly if an appointment is stressful).

For unpalatable / challenging improvement suggestions ...I will admit to an occasional appropriate / or not! e.g. meme-style image / motivational photo too.

Well, it's your personal notebook ...each to their own, you are in control of "the rules"!

(Maybe your friends and family have some good ideas for including in your notebook too e.g. be able to give you a really good funny or motivational sticker, or draw their view of picturing you ready for going to the gym ...or after all the gym effort?).

Have fun with it, it is not homework - nobody is going to grade your notebook.

I think your friend would be pleased to know they helped you reduce worry about things by noting down your questions and concerns - as they come to your thoughts.

[Skye48 in reply to QuietButBold]

Thanks so much that's really helpful. I may have a small notebook but if not will easily pick one up this week. My friend was really supportive but also pleased with how I've made lots of adjustments ahead of being seen. My personal trainer too is really supportive and said I'm making good progress. He is trying to train me how to build and retain muscle but also lose weight as I have a bmi that was 35.5 at Christmas and it's now 31.1. I'm also trying to find ways indoors when the kids have gone to bed of trying to combat stress, adult colouring, needlework, I love arts snd crafts so made a little garden thing that lights up. I also love sequin art type things on canvas. It gives me less time to worry and think too. Your suggestions and advice are appreciated and are really helpful. Thanks so much Jo