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Lots of questions about cirrhosis of the liver
Liver Diseases | Last Active: Jun 17 8:50pm | Replies (20)Comment receiving replies
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.
Replies to "I just found out. I have cirrhosis of the liver and I do not drink. Just..."
@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.
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@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.