cirrohsis and appetite

[couchpotato]

This is probably going to sound right off the wall but I have a weird question. All the literature out there seems to say that a symptom of cirrohsis is loss of appetite and while my husband has been diagnosed as having cirrohsis, he has the appetite of a horse. I mean, the man is eating constantly, and thankfully for the most part it is healthy food but my worry is that maybe with all this scarfing, his liver is having to work maybe too hard? Could this be a problem and is he harming his liver??? While he was on tx I was so concerned about him not eating and loosing weight but now I am faced with the other face of the coin, or am I just crazy to worry about such a non thing? Any thoughts on this subject would help and probably, maybe set my mind at ease?  Thankx

[michellektlc]

I just found out I have cirrohsis of the liver. Other blood work shows no Heps at all. I dont understand how I got this condition.And Im scared!!!! Anyone have any advice for me. What to eat doc said low sodium but wow I never knew how much food had tons of salt.Need someone who understands.                                          SCARED CRAZY
                                                               Michelle

[bobwannabe]

I am interested in the herbs you have referenced in your note. Please post details. Thanks!

[wyntre9]

I don't have cirrhosis but I am on week 37 of 72 week tx.  (stage 1 grade 1)

The first 5 months I lost 10 - 15 pounds.

then i started prozac and found i was starving ALL the time!  I can't believe how much i was eating!  And I felt the same thing as your husband, that it just felt better when my belly was full.

Now that I've weaned off prozac (almost) my appetite is decreasing as well.  (I have to admit I'm glad about that as i'd put 3 or 4 pounds back on).

Weird . . . . but if I wasn't eating something every hour or two I'd feel weak, uncomfortable.....

Now it's back to once every three hours or so.

wyntre

[GoofyDad]

Couch potatoe - My understanding is that it's what youbfellow is eating that's important. You definitely want to keep weight off him. In similar condition, 'Rail thin' was the advice I receive from a liver researcher. Veggies are the ticket. I think a diet targeted to a diabetic would be good - sugars are not our friends,

Much is made about toxins and the liver but I believe processing the foods we eat is the biggest assault it faces. Provideing a slow trickle of healthy low fat sugar free foods is the ticket.  

[dlr2007]

Sorry to hear about diagnosis- that's a lot to handle all at once although it's certainly not the end of the world. To my knowledge, if you don't have decompensated cirrhosis or extremely low platelets, you should be able to do treatment for the Hep C. You should talk to a good hepatologist- if you post here asking for info on good liver docs, I'm sure people will give you some names.
Best of luck to you- I'm glad you feel great! Also, I've taken milk thistle for only a couple months and it brought my always elevated AST/ALT's down to normal. Those herbs are good stuff!
-Dee

[DiParris]

I would really like to know the name of the homeopathic PHD that has the herbal concoction.  My fiance has cirrohsis and I am tired of all the drugs he is taking that have side effects that are almost worse.  He actually has been going to an accupuncturist and it so far seems to help.  Thanks so much.  DiParris

[Shady Sadie]

I was diagnosed with Hep C about 2 1/2 years ago and it was acertained that I have had it for about 20 years.  I then had a liver biopsy and found that I also had cirrohsis.  The only signs I have of liver failure have been spider vains on my chest and have had them for the past 5 years.  It's strange how we all react to the same illnesses.  Anyway, I feel fine, and always do.  Since then, I was introduced by someone, whose liver had turned completely around from a supposed "6 months till you die" diagnosis to total liver health, to a homeopathic PHD in Oregon who specializes in these problems and started taking his herbal concoction for serious liver conditions.  After about 3 months on his herbs, I went back to the doctor and my liver enzymes had fallen drastically.  I mentioned to my doctor about the herbs, however, doctors cannot, and will not, promote alternative medicines.  I have totally come to trust in these herbs and I truly believe that they do work on helping to restore our livers.

I was told by my liver doctor that he did not suggest the treatment for Hep C due to my cirrohsis.  I have heard others say that they have taken the treatment with the same liver disorder.  I don't know what to believe there.  Can you shed some light there?

Anyway, if you're interested in knowing more about these herbs (and this is not a sales pitch!) and the doctor in Ashwood, Oregon who makes them, let me know.

Thanks for letting me share.

[ral]

Sounds good to me Cindi I am happy you are getting your old self back

Bob

[lackalustre]

this is one thing i found.  i also found several references to the Sandra Cabot book as mentioned above. its available thru amazon.com
    





Dietary Supportive Therapy for Cirrhotic Liver Diseases

For patients with cirrhosis, a balanced nutritional diet is very important as a supportive therapy. Patients with cirrhosis often show signs of malnutrition, and the main reasons are:
1. Poor appetite causes insufficient food intake
2. In the de-compensated stage, nutrients from food are poorly absorbed due to edema in the gastrointestinal system and the lack of digestive enzyme secretion
3. Due to the deterioration of liver functions, nutrients absorbed from the intestines are not well metabolized in the liver
4. The damaged liver requires more amounts of certain nutrients for regeneration and repair
5. The use of diuretic medication and aspiration of the ascites can cause the loss of protein

Correct dietary therapy can improve the metabolism of the liver and also meet the nutritional needs of the other organ systems. It can promote the regeneration and repairing of the liver structure and improve the detoxification functions of the liver. A good diet can also enhance the immune functions of the body, raise resistance to infections, and promote good nutrient storage, transport, and regulation in the liver.  The prevention of malnutrition related damage is very important and therefore, nutritional therapy is one of the most important treatment factors in cirrhosis.

What is the correct diet for patients with cirrhosis?
The following are some general guidelines:

1. Carbohydrates: Carbohydrates should make up about 40% of the diet. This amount can help protect the liver, enhance resistance to infections, and reduce protein catabolism. However, too much carbohydrate intake can cause weight gain and cause fatty deposits in the liver.

2. Protein: For a patient with no disorientation, no elevation of serum nitrogen, about 60 grams of protein per day should meet the daily requirement. Proteins absorbed through natural foods such as meat, fish, soy products, and eggs are the best. For patients that have problems with eating solid foods, protein can be taken as amino acids, albumin or serum infusion. When there are symptoms of encephalopathy, protein intake should be reduced to less than 20 grams per day.

3. Fats and oils: A cirrhotic liver cannot metabolize fats well, so low fat diet is important. Animal fats and fried foods should be avoided as much as possible. Olive oil is recommended for cooking.

4. Multiple Vitamins and minerals: Supplements with multiple vitamins and minerals are important. Fresh vegetables and fruits are good sources rich in vitamins and minerals. Vitamins B1, B2, C, E, K, and minerals zinc and selenium are important.

5. For patients with ascites and edema, it is very important that salt intake be restricted to less than 2 grams per day. For patients with persistent ascites, salt should be eliminate from the diet and water intake should be limited to about 1500 ml per day.

6. For patients who have varices in the esophagus or stomach, hard foods should be avoided. Soft foods should also be well chewed before ingesting to prevent bleeding.

[shebee]

Hubby is in the same boat...he has gained 20 pounds.  (still look great!  LOL!)

I think that it is better to eat than starve.  Perhaps his body knows that it is sick.  If you don't eat, you die.  

Hubby says that on meds, he is having trouble deciding when he is full and feels better if he has something on his stomach at all times.  I also have noticed that if he does not eat, his blood suger drops.  If his blood suger drops, it takes him a whole day to recover.


Perhap having veggies & DIP, low fat stuff, & etc. on hand would help.  ....and making sure that he has a supply of constant "good" snacks on hand would help. ?

Just a thought,
Shebee

[cindee]

I also gained about 30lbs. I was so fatiqued during tx. (now almost 3 months post tx.) I get tired but not as bad. I think I'm starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel. Prayers to you all. Cindee

[couchpotato]

Thanks, I'd like to see those sites. He has no symptoms except that bile duct itch and he does not bloat after eating. No swelling, no jauntice, no nothing.

[lackalustre]

my doc said that cirrhosis can have no symptoms at all or you can have a lot of symptoms ranging from  nothing  to end stage liver disease symptoms.    does he get bloated after he eats?  i would think a moderate liver friendly diet would benefit him.  no saturated fats, good oilss, fruits, veggies, etc....   i like the book by Sandra Cabot called "The Liver Cleansing Diet."  it seems pretty practical and not too far out.  on some sites there are diets aimed specifically for cirrhosis.  i will try to get them to have on hand as this topic comes up a lot.