Fatigue & NASH

[Pastin13]

Hi all, I have a question. I just received a diagnosis of sever NAFLD after at ct scan. Reading up on it, I think I have NASH due to having scarring on my liver but I do not know what stage. I have been told to go on a mediterranean diet which I have started. I have started a walking routine as well. My question is, how do you battle fatigue? I am so fatigued all the time and am wondering if anyone has any recommendations to help alleviate it. I do not get the energy boost after walking. Thank you for any and all responses.

[jax1984]

Hello Pastin13,

I am very interested in your question. I was diagnosed over a year ago with NASH Cirrhosis of the liver. My doctor totally missed all the signs for years (I won't go into all the lab results), but a huge sign was me always complaining how fatigued I was. It wasn't just a tiredness at the end of the day, but I never felt rested--I woke up and went to bed feeling exhausted. I went vegan with my diet (allowing occasional salmon) and forced myself to do 30 minutes of aerobics every day--never missed a day. Today I am 80+ pounds lighter, still eating vegan and exercising. And guess what? I still have fatigue!! I will say it's slightly better, but I'm still disappointed. My hepatologist said he couldn't ask me to do more than what I was doing. I thought about drinking coffee (some say it can help with the inflammation) because I thought it might help with the fatigue, but I just don't like it. So I am awaiting any responses you receive because I am interested to hear from others also. Hope I'm not sounding too negative here. I'm grateful my condition is stable at this point and

[jax1984]

Sorry my post cut off. I am grateful to be stable at this time and I encourage you to keep moving forward. The mental and emotional reward is very satisfying. Good luck.

[nash2 Partner]

NAFLD is a condition in which fat accumulates in the liver, leading to inflammation and liver damage. One of the symptoms of steatohepatitis is extreme fatigue, which can be caused by a number of factors.

Firstly, the inflammation in the liver can lead to a decrease in energy production, which can cause fatigue. This is because the liver is responsible for producing glucose, which is a key source of energy for the body. When the liver is inflamed, it may not be able to produce enough glucose to meet the body's energy needs.

Secondly, people with steatohepatitis may also experience sleep disturbances, such as insomnia or sleep apnea, which can contribute to fatigue during the day.

Thirdly, the accumulation of fat in the liver can lead to the production of certain hormones and cytokines that can cause fatigue and other symptoms.

Finally, steatohepatitis is often associated with other conditions, such as diabetes and obesity, which can also contribute to fatigue.

It is typically the result of several challenges to the body which is what makes it so difficult to manage. Many people go to a plant based diet and don't get enough protein so are always energy challenged. I'm told that about 1 gram/pound of body weight is a good target but opinion differ I think.

[BU2B in reply to nash2]

It’s a crazy ride. Sometimes I can sleep for 24 hours, others I’m awake for 2 or 3 days. I mention it to those in the know and am usually blown off. But it really gets old always being sick and tired. What the doctors will tell you and what you actually live are often two different things.

Best explanation I have seen, read or heard to date. Thanks Wayne!

[jkdood]

Hi all thx all gd luck all. I have had fatty liver for more than a decade but diet and weight control seemed to help. i was ALSO diagnosed with OSA (obstructive sleep apnea) which is a huge cause of crazy fatigue but i couldnt tolerate CPAP and a UPenn study proved weight loss CAN BE just as effective as CPAP... I was in the trial, i lost 31 pounds THEN. Fatigue was minimal. Bloodwork acceptable.

However aging over the decade, stress and a spinal injury has decreased mobility and exercise, and with metabolic syndrome the weight AND fatigue AND yukky blood work and elevated enzymes returned. While they are looking at iron (because of high ferritin) they are putting me back on CPAP because they think it 's good sense and take-home-tests also showed it back in force. (high)Ferritin, if there is no iron issue (so far none found) is complex but causes fatigue and often is closely associated with OSA as well as liver ailments that include NAFLD, NASH, and simply inflammation.

They only checked ferritin first time 3 years ago. Do you know yours? I would recommend you seek your numbers there, and if high, have some tests done that look at iron overload ( a large cause of fatigue) sometimes in liver not the blood itself. Lastly, i've learned that basic liver MRI's dont usually look at inflammation and iron and such unless specifically mapped by the scanner, and not all do it (or know how). I hope CPAP helps ill report back when the darn thing arrives. (im dreading it lol.)

Any comment is welcome, and BTW my glucose is always high-high (although no diabetes) so I wonder if that rules out anything as per answer immediately before mine seemingly abt low blood sugar. TY

[Sheluska]

Hello. I have cirrhosis with low platelets.60. I was always tired. I went to a natural path and they recommended my family dr test my vit.d. sure enough it was interesting toilet. As soon as I got my levels up the fatigue decreased. I still nap when I feel exhausted but I can actually get things done and participate in a lifebalance. Also on Mediterranean diet . Take care