Anti-depressents

[PaPPaG]

I know this could be a personal question but it looks like I might have to go on anti-depressants even though I dont want to due to having NASH and wanting to give my liver the best chance of reversal. Is anyone on any anti-depressents but still having good outcomes against NASH or NAFLD?

[nash2 Partner]

Hi Pappa

Risky to get info about health hazards from anyone but your doctor. Talk with your doc, but here is a link to a list of drugs and their liver toxicity

fda.gov/science-research/li...

Wayne

[PaPPaG in reply to nash2]

Thanks Wayne. Always appreciate your guidance and ability to provide me with information. Thank you.

[Bbohnie]

Dear PaPPaG, As Wayne said every person is different -physically, experiential, etc and we all respond to medications and circumstances differently. I do take antidepressants because if I do not I am not functional. Period. So for me to be as healthy as possible I have to take them despite my liver condition. I did lose weight and improve my eating which moved me into a category of improvement in liver function. However, you have this battle to fight for the rest of your life. SO- you have to decide along with your Doctors if it is worth it for you to be on antidepressants and for how long. If you are not comfortable with your GP, seek another one who is more in touch with liver issues. Admittedly, many Doctors are not familiar with NASH or liver issues to give good advice so they focus on what they know better and can throw drugs at. And you may not know what their personal prejudices are - since you used alot of drugs some doctors have opinions about that and I think it influences how they treat the patient. That is merely MY personal opinion.

You already know you have an addictive personality and that it has caused you harm. You need to address why you allow that and what caused you to attempt to find what you need:peace, comfort, love, acceptance, relief from inner pain you are running from instead of facing, a death wish, affirming you are not worthy, boredom, abuse as a child - whatever it is. Once you uncover the root issues you can heal and addressing your liver issues will be easier - losing weight, stopping whatever drugs you substitute for what you really need to face and love yourself. Antidepressants may help you cope but they can not do the inner work for you or keep you in a state in which dealing with the truth won't be necessary.

I have less highs in my emotions and less lows in the pit with no light and no hope but my emotions are more even, stable and monotone.

Praying you find the answers you seek, the healing you need and the joy of living life as a lover of yourself!

[PaPPaG in reply to Bbohnie]

Thank you so much for your reply. I am personally finding it difficult with the GPs at my surgery. The last GP I saw I told him I was diagnosed with NASH and he asked me what that was. I was quite taken back. Unfortunatley I am finding it hard to cope emotionally at the moment. I am working hard at losing weight and eating well. It's all been a big change but I am currently not me. Always tired, feeling depressed, battling with anxiety. I go to sleep every night hoping to reset and wake up positive but it doesnt seem to be happening. I wake up as anxious as I fell asleep. My brother had also just been taken to the specialist covid unit in Bromford. He is hooked up to and being kept alive by machines. I dont think this is helping my emotional state very much. Being an ex addict I am always cautious about certain drugs and I really want to make sure I am doing the best for my liver. I have been told to go back for a blood test in august and only if my enzymes havnt come down will I be referred to a specialist. I am feeling very lost as the GPs just havnt seemed to care very much and have not provided me with much information or guidance. This group and google have been my only form of information. Again thank you for your reply. I really appreciate you having taken the time to write everything. Sending all my regards. All my best. Gareth

[Bbohnie in reply to PaPPaG]

PaPPaG Stress plays a big part in our health - how you sleep or don't sleep, anxiety level, coping with change in your own life and of course your brother! Another avenue to look at might be if you have sleep apena. The reason why is lack of restorative sleep can affect your brain function, heart health, anxiety level, immune system, make you very tired and mentally struggling to think. I had it and discovered because my family was finally very honest with how awful my snoring was. I had been diagnosed with Chronic fatigue syndrome and my immune system was so far gone I wouldn't even run a fever when I was sick - my body couldn't fight because I had no resources. I was diagnosed and started sleeping with a CPAP. IT had a world of difference - I had more energy, less headaches, less fatigue, better mood and better able to cope.

If you do go on anti depressants you probably already know it really takes a couple of weeks for the effects to kick in. This will change in a few months and you may find you are alot better and even a little too happy! Through all this adjustment, you may not feel yourself. It may takes up to 6 months to either feel yourself or to feel ok with your new normal. So be patient with yourself and the process. Please don't fake a stiff upper lip. While you don't want to upset your child, she may be picking up things are not quite right with you. It is better to be honest that you are tired or not feeling well but that you and the Doctors are working on it. Trying to hold back is anxiety and stress producing for you.

YES - it is kind of a freaky double take when a Dr doesn't understand a condition which impacts every other system in the body and HE is making medical decisions about you!

I saw a Dr for blood cancers who was the very best resource for me and so kind! He didn't sugar coat or down play anything but gave me great information. My liver condition includes I forget the name but it means my blood is filled with too much iron and I have more blood than normal. I have to not eat added iron in my foods - which iron is added to many things in the USA food wise! Knowing how to deal with this and change my eating had a big difference in changing my scores to a place they are considered "normal"

Keep seeking answers and researching on the web. Find a Dr. you can trust and ask as many questions as needed. It makes a huge difference.

Best wishes!

Bonnie

[PaPPaG in reply to Bbohnie]

Thank you so much. I will take all you have said into consideration and seek out the best options possible before making any rash decisions.

[Riggsy1 in reply to Bbohnie]

The name for the blood making too much iron is hemochromatosis. I have to have blood removed every time my iron levels increase . It is a genetic disorder. Unless you keep the iron down it can attach to your organs not just the liver. This can increase your chances of alzheimers, diabetes and liver. Pancreatic and other forms of cancer. I too was fortunate to hook up with a cancer doctor, he is wise and truthful but kind and empathetic. My iron is increasing again after a year, looking to have blood removed next month if levels go any higher. Usually 3 flubotomys. 1x a week for 3 weeks. Then the pain begins, your bone marrow is saying where is my iron . So the bonemarrow tries to increase the iron. A vicious cycle. So glad you found a good dr. My new primary doesn't understand or doesnt know how to connect the dots. Maddening. Chin up and keep moving

[Ironj in reply to Riggsy1]

Hello Riggsy as I read your post it sound like maybe you have PV and that’s why you hematologist has you get a phlebotomy to remove blood to thin out the your blood. Have you been diagnosed with PV ?

[Riggsy1 in reply to Ironj]

No pv hemochromatosis . Genetic disorder iron overload.

[Ironj in reply to Riggsy1]

Ok that’s good

[msisms in reply to Bbohnie]

such good advice Bhonnie

[GrannyGirl80]

I felt the exact same way after being diagnosed with NASH roughly 3 months ago I was taking Cymbalta which can elevate liver enzymes and switched to Lithium which doesn't. Definitely speak with your health care provider so the 2 of you can make a decision. I also replaced roughly 6 other prescription medications for pain high blood pressure etc with natural supplements I've changed my eating habits I try and eat alot healthier and excercise. My NASH was most likely medication induced... all my levels have returned to normal but I will continue on with these changes for preventive measures. Wishing You All The Best. The Liver Healing Diet is a really great all around informative book of recommended anyone with liver NASH to get it explains the disease alot and offer meal plans a d recipes

[PaPPaG]

Thanks Granny girl. Unfortunatley my GP doesnt seem to understand NASH very well. He has reccomended an anti depressent that sits at a 7 on liver toxicity scale. He is not willing to refer me to a specialist yet either. I have to wait to see of my enzymes are still raised when I have a bloodwork in August. I am going to be trying to see if I can do this without medication for now. Take up tai chi and yoga, keep exercising and carry on with my new healthy diet. It seems all my lifes changes including food, weight loss, quitting smoking can all play a massive part in my mindset as well. Going to try hold on till after August and hopefully I will be able to see a specialist and take it from there if I need to. I will definatley look into that book as well. Thank you.

[Shato]

Heg PaPPaG, hope you are doing alright and that your brother is okay. I am taking Yelate, prescribed off-lable for arthiritus. (Yip, stuck with that as well....🤨) Anycase, I used to take 60mg, then after the NASH diagnosis I stopped all medication for 6 weeks. I was walking around like a very old lady, struggling to climb stairs, open jars, writing terrible as I had trouble holding a pen, etc. So after 6 weeks my doc asked which ailment bothered me most and it was definately the arthitic joints, so he put me back on Yelate, but only on 30mg. Its winter in South Africa now, so my joints is acting up more, but I manage with heated compresses, neoprene glove for my hand I am writing with, etc. It does have an influence on my liver levels, but we decided to compromise. If I dont take it, I can hardly do anything and am in constant pain and that is no way to live. (PS: I am only 45) I do have to go for bloodwork every 3 months now. Hope this helps. Keep well.

[PaPPaG]

Thanks for reaching out. I am also a Saffer but live in the UK now. I must be honest I am kinda missing my medical aid and my GP back in SA right about now. I decided against the anti depressents. I have taken a different approach. Teaching myself Yoga and Tai Chi, which was a little steangebfor me in the beginning but it's amazing how much it has reduced my anxiety and put me in a better headspace, increasing the exercise to get the good endorphins flowing. I have finally started to settle down from not smoking which I was doing for 25 years before this about 20 to 30 a day. Also reduced my caffeine intake to half a spoon of coffee instead of a full one. I'm very fortunate I have been able to win the battle of my mind in such a short space of time as I do feel anti depressents would not help my fight against this. Unfortunatley I have had problems with my tendons in my left foot and have had to take Naproxene 3 times in 2 weeks as I have been in severe pain. Hopefully I am over that hump but my exercising has taken a dip. Been weight training to keep going though and I am actually being rewarded with some biceps. Ain't seen those since my 20s. Lol. I'm also young..ish....only 37. Many bad life choices as a kid though and I was a tik kop for 8 years. Smoked, drank and then when I came off the dwelms I traded the addiction in for food, gaming and a very sedentary lifestyle. Working hard at changing it around though. I hope your arthritis feels better boet. It sucks to have other things that hold us back when already dealing with this shitty disease. Wish you all the best in your fight. I have to turn this around as all I want is a bloody braai with some boerewors. When thay day comes I will be a happy man. 👊🏻