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3211536 tn?1359385569

nasty protein!!

I have never been much of a meat eater,mylove is rainbow trout.The suggested source of additional protein from the transplant hepatologist is "Instant Breakfast".I don't purchase things with indgredients that I can't pronounce.Dairy is much loved by me but what are you all using for a protien boost?Does anyone know the suggested amount of protein for us?I eat about eveery 2 hours which I know is good thing.I have a snack before bed too!I vaguely recall something about folks with liver disease not eating after 7:00pm.has anyone else got this info?Over the last 8 months I lost 30 pounds or so.Good cuz now I am 168 and can wear a junior 15 .hard way to loose weight.
Been watching the benefit concert on the TV and it floors me that the "Stones"can still jump.
19 Responses
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3211536 tn?1359385569
Hector please forgive my rudeness with you.the only excuse I have to offer is that I have discovered most of my children don't even care how I am and have had such a high degree of stress lately.I am so angry and sad and there isn't much comfort for me other than trying to think about them as little as possible.Griz will be able to accompany me the  second trip for tests and classes but for the pre and post transplant he can not.We have a 13 year old that needs to stay grounded and secure with at least one parent.I will have to find someone else for the main event!
I hope that you recieve your transplant soon and thank you so much for your invaluable information.  Snow
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Avatar universal
I know from talking to Cree and eating lunch with her last week, that she don't salt her food (avoid those pickles), doesn't eat processed food, tries to get her protein in, drinks water, eats mostly organic fruits and veggies, doesn't eat red meat, doesn't take iron, and restricts her sodium.  Getting the protein in and getting the nutrition needed from her food is a challenge because of her particular state of health, but from talking to her and eating with her, I know that she is following her transplant hepatologist's advice and is getting her appointment with the transplant dietician scheduled per the hepatologist's advice within the next few weeks.  

Also glad to read Cree that you're edema is improved this week and the Cellulitis in your foot is healed.  That sounds like you've been working hard on all of the transplant hepatologist's recommendations and you were already doing most things right as advised by your good doctor in your hometown even before seeing the transplant hepatologist.

Again, keeping in mind that coming to the transplant center last week was a 3 day journey for Cree, continued kudos on taking charge of your health and doing everything possible.  Our Snowbank Cree will be crossing mountain pass and passing by snowbanks in a few weeks to see the transplant dietician.  

In the meantime, please do try to drink Ensure or Carnation Instant Breakfast (blah), look for the high protein foods that are low in sodium (send that son of yours out fishing!), and eat the small frequent meals that I already know you are doing.

Personally, if it were me in your situation Cree, I would avoid spinach and kale, and only eat other greens (e.g. lettuce) and other veggies, so I wouldn't have to worry about the higher iron, but it certainly is a great question for the transplant dietician next week, and I'll be interested in hearing what he/she says.

You are doing great Cree, and you've accomplished so much in the past few weeks.  Your cellulitis in your foot has cleared up, your edema is improved, you're now connected to a transplant center and in their system, and it sounds like you are moving forward on everything you need to do.

Push onward undaunted!

Advocate1955
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163305 tn?1333668571
Cheese is high in sodium and not easy to digest. Not a good option, though it is high in fat content.

One reason I mentioned the flax seed meal earlier is that it is high in fat, the good kind.
You do need to try and keep your weight up.

Hope you're staying warm and enjoying the day~
OH
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3211536 tn?1359385569
I will get my app. with the dietician when I return to Seattle until then I have no desire to make an all day trip for diet advice.Many on the forum have benn so kind to me and supported me.I am well aware of the dangers of salt and I eat no PROCESSED FOOD!I also am aware of why I have lost weight My liver doesn't absorb nutients.The edema I have under control again and my left toes are only slighly swollen. I count salt milligrams on foods that I am not sure about such as cheese.The ONLY thing I use the tiniest amount of salt on is my lemons.I was concerned about protein and greens .Thanks Hector,if I knew you in person I would feel like the kid standing before you the principal.
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163305 tn?1333668571
I want to point out that the dietary needs of some with decompensated cirrhosis such as Snow or Hector  differs from those with compensated cirrhosis.

As too much iron in and of itself, can cause cirrhosis, I wasn't about to eat anything I thought had iron in it. It's still quite easy to eat greens without eating spinach.

Snow~ Hector is correct.
I know you won't be back to see the doctor soon as you live far from the center but you need to try to eliminate salt from your diet.

You already complain of swollen ankles, this is from edema a side effect of your cirrhosis and salt can make the problem worse.
It isn't easy but I did it, and I know you can too.
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446474 tn?1446347682
Get an appointment with the transplant dietitian. You are missing the point of what the hepatologist was saying. He is taking about addressing your weight lose and other complications of advanced cirrhosis that develops as the liver fails. Ascites, HE, malnutrition, muscle wasting, anorexia, extreme fatigue,

Persons with cirrhosis often experience an uncomfortable buildup of fluid in the abdomen (ascites) or a swelling of the feet, legs, or back (edema). Both conditions are a result of portal hypertension (increased pressure in the veins entering the liver). Since sodium (salt) encourages the body to retain water, patients with fluid retention can cut their sodium intake by avoiding foods such as processed and canned foods, restaurant foods and no table salt. Most processed foods contain tons of sodium, while fresh foods contain almost no sodium at all.
Your transplant center will probably put you on a less than 2,000 mg of sodium per day.

When patients decompensate and then develop End-Stage Liver Disease. They lose all muscle mass and body fat. You can see every bone in their body. Why? Because when the liver is failing it can’t properly process proteins among many other nutrients. In the last 8 months you lost 30 pounds, I assume because of your liver disease. Patients become anorexic with associated poor outcomes if they do not maintain their nutrition. Also patients with ascites have no room for food as their abdomens are full of fluid. They are nauseous and so don’t want to eat. So the only food they can “eat” is to drink Ensure, Carnation Instant Breakfast, etc. These are high protein drinks which will help to maintain muscle mass and avoid wasting. Advanced cirrhotics need high levels of protein intake to maintain their muscle mass. Usually over 100 – 150 grams per day depend on your size and weight.

There are plenty of vegetable protein sources and chicken and fish is fine as long as it is cooked. Red meats cause hepatic encephalopathy because the meat is hard to digest and create lots of toxins like ammonia. So all red meat should be avoided.

Cirrhotics should eat many small meals throughout the day. This helps the absorption of nutrients. You should eat until you sleep. As the liver fails more just not eating while sleeping can be like a normal person not eating for 3-4 days.

There is no diet for everyone. The diet needs to be tailored to each patient based on their total health condition, size, weight, etc.. See the transplant dietitian and they will educate you on how to maintain your health for as long as possible before your liver fails.

hector


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Avatar universal
Ha! A link from our very own Jules explains it...we are okay we can keep chomping our greens!!
http://www.medhelp.org/posts/Hepatitis-C/Myth-about-Spinach/show/1677280
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Avatar universal
My understanding is that the greens are fine with the fiber, not as a straight juice. My Doc encourages greens and all veggies. But it is worth doing some research on. In fact I am seeing a really good Hepa next week and I will ask him..I too eat a lot of greens.
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3211536 tn?1359385569
I eat a big bowl of mixed greens every day with some Balsamic vinegar,reall it is one of my favorite foods,Does this mean I shouldn't eat them? This really stinks!
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Avatar universal
Spinach and some other greens are high in iron, I think.
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163305 tn?1333668571
Spinach and dried fruit are high in iron.
If you take a mutlivitamin, which is suggested, make sure it is iron free.
I was taking a food based one.
Because it's hard to get good nutrition when you're liver is ailing, a good multivitamin can help.
You probably should also be taking calcium. Low calcium could be affecting your teeth. Vitamin D helps our bodies absorb calcium.

I had ascites, fluid retention and had to cut out all salt. It took a while to get used to it, but it was better than being swollen.
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3211536 tn?1359385569
I don't know what foods are high in Iron.Salt I no longer use but I count milligrams when I want a tiny dill or a few salt grains on my muchlove Lemons .My teeth are falling out little bye little and the remaining ones will have to go I am sure they are beyond help.that's okay my vanity has accepted this because one of these days I am gonna have the biggest whitest smile I can possibley look good in,bigger teeth too!
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163305 tn?1333668571
It's good to be picky. The best thing you can do for your liver is eat fresh and organic.

Egg whites are particularly good for people with decompensated cirrhosis.
They, and tofu, help with albumin levels.

Beets are liver friendly.
I assume you know to avoid salt and anything high in iron.

Yes, I'll always have some Ruby deep inside me, literally~ although we've always been connected via our hearts.
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3211536 tn?1359385569
Fish I have to go fish for! I won't eat it from the store because I can't be guaranteed the freshness.I try to eat eggs we have all those Rhode Island Reds that lay 17 eggs per day!Eggs do weird things to my stomach.I will get the flax seed and the Quinoa that Rivka recommended.Beans I plum forgot to buy.Chicken when we have northwest grown on sale because the Southern Grown is Factory Farmed in Filth.
I am sorry I am so picky but I am so blessed with a bounty of organic veggies grown by Griz here at home.Homegrown pork and eggs.A box of Organic Apples is 10 bucks and peaches 22.00 I missed the cherries this year,(I think I was broke on July) Griz grows Rasberries and has a few Strawberrries(more next year)So I do have lots available to me.It is just the protein I lack greatly.
Had instant breakfast with yogurt and banans and strawberries and milk last night I was stuffed after drinking it!This am I steamed some milk and put Mexican chocolate in it and 1/8 t of cayenne peppper to warm me up I can still taste the instant breakfast I guess it's an acquired taste.Keeps my mind busy concemtrating on things like Protein!?Okay Snow what ever works.
RUBY is a beautiful old name that is being used again recently.My Ruby is named after my greatgrandmother a child of a French Trapper and a Cree woman.How wonderful you have a Ruby in your life!Literally!
Have a good day all.May today be better than yesterday for us all!!Peace andLove Snow
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163305 tn?1333668571
Oh, and I forgot, chicken is fine for protein too.

Don't eat red meat. It's not good for people with decompensated cirrhosis.
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163305 tn?1333668571
Fish is fine, eggs are too and don't forget tofu, if you can find it. Oh, and beans.
Beans are full of protein. And yes, nuts too.

I also used flax seed meal which can be purchased in health food stores.
You can add it to smoothies, hot cereal, and use it to bake with.
It helped me keep weight on.

BTW: I have a daughter named Ruby too.
She's the one who gave me 66% of her liver.
( They have to be at least 18 to be a donor)
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3211536 tn?1359385569
Yes my dear friend I can get some protein powder next trip to tonasket.We got a couple inches of snow on us today and the road is messy and it's cold out there for me.I have to dress like an Inuit when it's 50 degrees 32 is untolerable.
Got message from number 2 daughter in Vancouver USA well she said she hopes all goes well and will pray for me.This from my blood child that cared for her Mother-inlaw that  treats her badly.I don't understand it.Makes me want to throw a temper fit and say bad things like "you will be sorry"!I can't believe it.Oh well I have Ruby ,my sweet little girl sho is so afraid of even the Dentist tod me Mom you can have part of mine.She makes up for the others I guess.
What I don't get is how can someone live with themselves after they deny help to someone.I would stay to the end for a stranger,I would be a caregiver,I would even give part of my Liver or a Kidney if I was healthy.What greater blessing for me to have known that I could give.Oh,well it's gonna be one of those cry in the cat fur nights.THANK YOU GOD FOR CATS!
Go look at my pics I found a pic of a Doxie and his buddy.I almost peed I laughed so hard.The critters deserve a prize for pitiful cute.
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Avatar universal
How about adding a protein powder from a health food store to a glass of milk? Nut butter like almond butter? Do you like beans?
Asvocate1955
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Avatar universal
You keep making me  laugh, funny lady!

I eat boiled eggs for quick and easy protein. I eat tofu too. I don't have an appetite anyway so I just eat my bites to keep things running. Quinoa (kee-wa) is a wonderful, versatile grain that is super high in protein. Eat it like a rice dish.

You are sounding lots better. So glad you made that appointment!
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