Lots of questions about cirrhosis of the liver

John: There is help and AA is a wonderful program. There are in person meetings and zoom meetings. You are never alone. Go to aa.org

Hi, don't know if this helps but here goes. My husband, 72, has been a big drinker all his life. Last year he started to fall and like the commercial, he couldn't get up. We had to call the Fire Dept. several times to pick him up. Went to the Er twice, they just said he had swollen legs and sent him home. Finally, found an Irish neurologist who listened to how much he drank, ran some tests and said he had nerve damage in his feet and must stop drinking before it gets worse. Well, he was embarrassed and worn out so he stopped. He joined AA and got a lot of support from them. He said that for the first time in his life he was in a room with people just like himself. I would recommend it to you if you can find a meeting in your area, go. It's been a year now and still a struggle not to drink but he has improved, no more falling or balance issues. I wish you all the best.

afb760 hi I hope that your visit to the er informed you how serious cirrhosis of the liver is. Please do not be embarrassed, get some help and try to find a good Dr that can help you learn more about this.
I wish you the best..

Hi afb760,

You are about the same age as my son...If it's not too creepy, let me say that I wish I could reach through the computer and give you a big, warm hug.

I know what you mean about being embarrassed. I have to get a lung screening every year for smoking. When I go, I say to myself, "at least I am trying to take care of myself." which is much better than not trying and giving up.

And you know what? I can't think of a single solitary medical person who ever seemed to judge me. The lung screening people treated me the same as the ladies who do my other screenings. So, it might not be as embarrassing as you think it will be.

Most people, especially medical folks, know that alcoholism is an illness. There is a huge genetic component, too. There is a lot of it in my family. So, don't be embarrassed to get help. I don't think they will judge you. If they do, then go someplace better! : )

The other people here have given great advice!

I don't have liver problems, but I see a lot of doctors for a systemic disease. You might be getting a lot of information and paperwork from the doctors. You might want to get
* a copybook (to write down your questions beforehand, as John suggested earlier, and to write down the doctor's answers). I use it between appointments and for all of my doctors.
On the top of the page, I write the doctor's name, specialty, and the date.
One doctor that I see a lot just reads through my copybook himself when I go see him. (He's a dear. I don't think he has to shave everyday yet.)
* a folder- A lot of doctors' offices give handouts and give you a printed paper summary of the appointment with instructions about what to do next. It's handy to have one place to keep the papers.
For some scans, you have to do certain things, like not eat, beforehand. They will give you an instruction sheet. You can keep it in the folder.
* a calendar- so you can write in appointments. Maybe you do this on your computer or phone, though. I use paper cuz I'm getting old- ha.
* a bag- okay, this sounds weird, but I keep all of my doctor stuff -- the notebook, folder, pens--in a canvass bag all of the time, even at home. It's all in one place and I know where it is. And I take it to the doctor and to any place I go for scans, xrays, etc.

Wow, this got long...sorry about that.

Just one more thing that I don't think anyone else has mentioned. I have a mental health therapist who has helped me learn to cope with my illness, which really impacts my entire life and has caused a lot of problems (lost my job, on disability) and changes and upheavals in my life, especially in the last 3 years. My therapist really has helped me find my strength to get through all kinds of s...t/ stuff. At one point, I had to change therapists. The first was ok, but my current lady really understands me and my situation. So, I guess I'm saying don't be discouraged from therapy because one therapist wasn't all that helpful.

Bless you! Keep us posted!

I just found out. I have cirrhosis of the liver and I do not drink. Just return from a hospital visit due to my liver. My body retained over 30 pounds of fluid and so we had to get that removed and my legs are still swollen, but we are handling this through diet and exercise. This is quite shocked to me out of the blue. I’m told I have a liver disease. I am 67 years old and have seen our local hospital Saint Jude I believe is the name of the hospital and basically we need to take into consideration. Should the time ever come that I need to transplant my age the fact that I am overweight the fact that I have type two diabetes and I just found out I have coronary heart failure. I just retired in December and this is not how I thought things were going to go and I’m a little frustrated and down about this. I have no idea what a low-fat low-carb diet looks like. It’s hard for me to consume less than 2000. I think it’s ML I don’t know. I’m not familiar with the metric system but or or monitoring my water intake since I’ve gotten home and it’s hard for me to stay within those limits so of course my body is gonna fill up with fluid again. I have absolutely no energy at all to get up and exercise, but I just bought this sitting in the chair tai chi program that I figure I could do that to start off with. I am now seeing a therapist. My meds have been adjusted. I would welcome any thoughts or recommendation on where to go for a low-fat low-carb diet as I’m a big fast food eater and need to change my ways there. I wish I like to cook more. I can’t stand to cook. Wife at this point is a little overwhelming. I take care of my 90 year-old mother and like I may have mentioned before I just retired in December so I could spend more time with her. Now I wonder if the good Lord didn’t put retirement in my head so I could get My life in order and make plans for her to be cared for. I don’t know it is what it is and I’ll handle it. Looking forward to any comments and recommendations on this journey. Thank you very much. Christine - I go by Chris.

@mreece2035
I share some of your struggles. One thing that seemed to positively affect my liver is intermittent fasting while going sugar free. I don’t do it all the time and it is hard for me to get started. But if I take advantage of a blip in my life that causes me to lose my appetite or skip meals (like a flu, long hike, or busy schedule, etc) and I get on a roll, it is not as hard.
The intermittent fasting allows me to eat normally for that stretch of time that I am not fasting and the fasting time takes away the decision-making for what to eat. It gets my mind off food too.
Taking a daily walk gets me away from food and helps my body as well.
To cut out sugar, I substitute non-sugar treats. Some are healthy, filling and tasty (oranges, oatmeal, cheese, etc), but some are so gross (sugar-free candy) that I lose my appetite - lol. Once you get in the swing of it, it gets easier.
Also be forgiving of backsliding - over and over even. Be proud of every meal that you have that fits your regimen, knowing that it is making your body healthier. One step forward and two back is still better than three back.
Remember hydration.

@mreece2035 Hi. Very sorry for your issues. I had a liver transplant two years ago. Just one thought jumped into my head. I was not a big drinker either but was a massive fast food eater pre transplant. Cooking at home and healthy is the way to go. I am very lucky my wife is good at that. But after talking to Mayo..... I don't have to go cold turkey on fast food. The Chic Fila grilled chicken sandwich is shockingly low fat , low carb, low calories and tastes fantastic. The Mayo person who counseled us on eating while down in AZ mentioned there are even a few ok choices at Taco Bell. But you gotta choose wisely. Best of luck.

Hi, Im with you. I have both an addiction and Cirrhosis. Quick update for me, I joined WFS women for sobriety, Im sober 13 years, stopped eating meat, went on Mediterranean diet, 80 % plant based, walk 20 minutes per day, very low salt, sugar, fats, eat omega fats, salmon olive oil, etc... huge life changes, now liver stable, Meld score 6. Weight 234 to 190 over several years, stay consistent is magic word, dont give up. Sharing to help others - you can do it my friend, cheering you on from Batavia, Illinois. Thanks for letting me share. Jeanne 😊

Dear friends,
For the bakers out there, I just learned that baking powder and baking soda have MASSIVE amounts of sodium. I'm learning every day 😊 Thanks, Jeanne

I have stage 3 liver fibrosis. I am having a hard time as well. I am on Wegovy 0.5 mg to target the liver and rezeffra 80 mg to target the liver. I feel horrible. My life is not good. U need to be on meds to target the disease. What stage are u at. I will pray for you.