The blues

[bazizi-Islam]

Dear all,

What can you recommend me in the attempt to pick up my spirits. My disease had caused me loads of stress, anxiety and at times hints of depression. Has anyone else dealt with these feelings. For me these feelings stem from uncertainty and the symptoms. I have been diagnosed with gastritis (maybe due to stress) and also a psychologist said I just see someone for depression. The worst thing is my anxiety and pain causes me to make poor dietary choices, the poor dietary choices exacerbate my symptoms, I am stuck in a vicious circle. Junk food comforta me.

B

[nash2 Partner]

Depression is one of the very difficult comorbidities that many people struggle with. Sadly there is no single answer to the question but I recommend you deal with it as a real medical problem. Many people just try to tough it out but that is very hard road. It is often hard to find a care team. You really need a good psychologist who can work with your hepatologist and deal with it as a real medical condition. Too often patients are told "it is all in your head" or some such throw away comment. That is just so wrong. Sadly that is about the only advice I can give because it is a life threatening comorbidity but the answer is a very individual one.

Wayne

[BYUmom]

Bazizi- Islam, I am so sorry to hear about this vicious cycle that you are in. I know from experience with family members that anxiety and depression are very difficult challenges to deal with in addition to liver disease . I am new to this group and have only known for About four months that I have fatty liver disease. For me information has been empowering. I have read everything ( including research) that I can find about fatty liver disease and what I can do to improve my situation . I do not know what my prognosis With liver disease will be, but doing everything in my power to eat right and exercise , lose weight, and avoid foods damaging to the liver like sugar...helps me feel better and more hopeful about the future . I hope that you can make some small changes each day that will start you moving in the right direction .

[nettl1]

Hang in there, it gets better. I was diagnosed and hospitalized in 2016 with Hep C, double pneumonia and liver cirrhosis. It took me almost two years to start feeling better. Although I didn’t eat junk food, I quit eating altogether. And I still see a doctor for Cirrhosis. Start eating right. Low salt, low protein, and eat fresh vegetables and fish or chicken. Start out by walking two minutes a day and add one minute each day. Keep in touch with me. Good luck and start a new day tomorrow.

[utep99]

It is hard to face the reality of the condition. But good diet is a must! Reach for fruits as a snack not the salty or processed kind of foods. I myself love blueberries. This is a super food that decreases the chance of heart attack and actually does a lot to help your body and mind. As for the depression the only thing I can suggest is faith in God. He is there and loves you although you may not think so. This is going to sound weird but what helped me a lot was acceptance. There is a lot of major advancements coming down the pike and transplant livers are getting easier to get. (Now that they can take a Hep C liver transplant it and cure the Hep C.) But the bottom line is this we all will die I believe that where I go there is no pain and eternal happiness! Acceptance takes away a lot of strain I believe we all want to live forever but that is not the plan while we are on Earth. Face the condition for what it is a treat everyday as a gift! I really like to be up at sunrise as the birds first begin to chirp it is as if the whole world is awakening! And it is! I know you might think I am crazy but I assure you I am not. I have learned that there is nothing I can do that will change my expiration date and appreciate much smaller things now. A smell of a rose or seeing a majestic Eagle flying over. I wish you well in your pursuit of what peace comes to you. It is different for everybody. But the result is the same. Peace with God and yourself.

[bazizi-Islam]

Thanks everyone for the support.