Saw Hepatologist (liver specialist)

[Ruth]

I saw the Dr. on Wednesday. She confirmed that I have Cirrhosis of the Liver { (comes from having had Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD)} for a long time and that is what some of my labs and other test indicate. I have compensated cirrhosis, though, and that is better than decompensated. If I can do all the things that my dr. wants me to do the liver will decompensate in about 10 years--that's for 60% of people with cirrhosis that is compensated. I don't know about the other 40% but I expect it is not real good for them. So, hopefully I will stay compensated. I have to cut out salt totally because of periportal hypertension in the liver:

Portal hypertension is hypertension (high blood pressure) in the hepatic portal system – made up of the portal vein and its branches, that drain from most of the intestine to the liver. Portal hypertension is defined as a hepatic venous pressure gradient.

Also have to lose weight which I am doing. Have lost 10 pounds and more will follow. Must keep my Blood Glucose in the good range. And I must add fish oil to my diet. Yech! Thankfully I can get it in fish oil capsules. I see they have some flavored ones and burpless ones which is good.

The Dr. also thought that I may have Comprehensive Metabolic Syndrome because of all the issues I have:

Diagnosis
Several organizations have criteria for diagnosing metabolic syndrome. According to guidelines used by the National Institutes of Health, you have metabolic syndrome if you have three or more of these traits or are taking medication to control them:

Large waist circumference — a waistline that measures at least 35 inches (89 centimeters) for women and 40 inches (102 centimeters) for men
High triglyceride level — 150 milligrams per deciliter,(mg/dL), or 1.7 millimoles per liter (mmol/L), or higher of this type of fat found in blood
Reduced high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol — less than 40 mg/dL (1.04 mmol/L) in men or less than 50 mg/dL (1.3 mmol/L) in women of this "good" cholesterol
Increased blood pressure — 130/85 millimeters of mercury (mm Hg) or higher
Elevated fasting blood sugar — 100 mg/dL (5.6 mmol/L) or higher

I have to see a Cardiologist because of heart related symptoms I have had.

All of this has stressed me and I am doing things as best I can to get things taken care of, like dr. apptmts one at a time. I've gotten 2 appointments out of the way. The Dr. told me to go at my own pace because she knows of the great amount of stress this is on me. I have a stress disorder, too, and that doesn't help.


So, all in all, I am doing the best I can and getting things done. Thanks for your interest in reading this.

 

[Lamb]

My dad had to cut out salt too. After a while you get used to not using salt in your diet. We really don't add it and there are even pretzels that have no salt but they can be difficult to find.

 

[Ruth]

My dad had to cut out salt too. After a while you get used to not using salt in your diet. We really don't add it and there are even pretzels that have no salt but they can be difficult to find.

Food sure is different without added salt but also does not make me want to eat more like salty things do.

 

[NewCreation435]

I'm not sure what you mean by stress disorder?

Good job on losing the weight. Sounds like your doing what you can.

 

[Wilhemena]

Ruth, I am very happy that things are looking up for you and you have done a wonderful job of pushing forward with striving for better health.

 

[Krissy Cakes]

I also have Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease. I'm not worried. I just need to try and loose weight.

I'm praying for you. ray:

 

[Ruth]

Thank you.