Fatty liver disease. Any experience?

[MsAnnThropic]

Hi all,

I posted in health, but no joy, so I'm trying again here for traffic. I've just had a call from the doctor confirming that after an iffy liver function result in my blood work and an upper abdominal ultrasound I have fatty deposits on my liver

I had a baby a year ago, and I am quite overweight (about 3-4 stone). I am really rubbish at losing weight. I lose motivation quickly, and my little one is still a rubbish sleeper, so the thought of going out running etc after bedtime fills me with horror. I'm just SO tired!

BUT I have to address this now and make lifestyle changes so I can be healthy for my children. I have a history of disordered eating, so don't want to do slimming world etc as I know that makes it worse.

Does anyone have any experience of this? Were you able to make the necessary changes? I'd love to hear some positive stories please of anything that helped.

I've had a good cry and just feel a bit gross and disgusted with myself 😔

I'm sorry you are going through this.

I cannot advise you on weight loss after ED but maybe as a first step, increase your intake of 'proper food' rather than ultra processed food and look on it as nurturing yourself with good food. This may take away the difficulty with calories and weight loss at least initially?
Do more walking rather than thinking you have to go hard with exercise? Diet is much more important anyway imo and you need to have a bit of a plan as to something you can do over the long term that fits in with your lifestyle and is sustainable.
Try to settle yourself down - it IS a big thing to take in. Rome wasn't built in a day!
Very best of luck xx

Sounds like they caught it early, which is great!

The doc will likely have dietary recommendations for you, but in the meantime, from what I recall, you want to increase fiber, so lots of vegetables (spinach & leafy greens are very good for the liver), pulses, and perhaps eat oat bran or porridge with berries for breakfast.

Drink water, avoid sweetened drinks. Nuts are good, as is dark chocolate. Black coffee actually helps the liver, as does green tea. But cut out alcohol and decrease saturated fats and sugar as much as possible. You can do this, and you’ll feel much better for it! ☘️

You should do something small that you can stick to rather something hard like trying to start running. Get a step counter and set your target at 3k for a start and gradually raise it as you start hitting your target as an average for the month. Brisk walking is actually a very good form of exercise and so achievable long term. Also as pp has said focus on drinking water before you eat. Maybe get one of those big water bottles that measure your water intake.. I've got a silly one that says supportive phrases down the side to make you keep drinking.
Just do little things you are likely to stick to and can easily incorporate into your life. Focus on moving more and eating more veg rather than specific weight loss goals. And do not restrict or forbid yourself any foods as that can cause binge eating cycles. Another big factor is prioritising getting a good night's sleep..
This is my advice! I feel for you, I've struggled with disordered eating in the past and that made it hard to try and loose baby weight

Watch broccoli mum on YouTube😮 it will cheer you up at least. I would try fasting 16:8 is good, I normally do 11am-7pm then herbal teas, eat well but live!

Increase your protein intake, lean meat, eggs, fish, lentils, beans, try to have protein in every meal. Eat lots of vegetables, things like spinach, kale, spring cabbage, broccoli are good for iron & B12. Don't cut out fat completely, increase healthy fats like olive oil & try to follow a Mediterranean diet.

I just started an exercise routine and so far I'm sticking to it pretty well. I'm not being overly ambitious - 20 minutes on the cross trainer at a time when someone else can have the baby (or when he's napping) and I make sure I have a podcast to listen to and a nice cold drink and a snack ready for afterwards. I don't put any pressure on myself, other than to do 20 minutes. If I'm not feeling it then I'll take it super easy but still do it.

Thank you so much for your kind replies. I got myself into a right state yesterday and it really helped to read them all.

The doctor didn't really give me any information other than "lose weight" but I had a voicemail today from the wellbeing / social prescriber at my surgery so I'm hoping to get an appointment with her. I just really don't want to be pushed down the slimming world route again! I'm also wondering whether to pursue therapy for my disordered eating.

I have an iffy liver too at the moment, as blood tests have suggested. Having more detailed blood tests today. I am waiting for an ultrasound scan to confirm a 'fatty liver'. I am double overweight than you are. I often feel really tired too, so running doesn't appeal to me. I lost weight cycling before though. I am currently trying to get help for my disorder eating - well binge eating. My whole lifestyle needs changing, as I want to be around longer. My Mum's got a fatty liver too, but is also prediabetic now. I am really worried I might get Type 2 Diabetes, because my Dad had it. Also, I have got a high blood pressure, due to my weight. High BP/cholesterol runs in my family. Those will cause more issues.
So, sorry I have no experience on making sustainable changes. I just can empathise with how you're feeling. I don't like myself much either.
I have been referred to a clinic for disordered eating, and am waiting for someone to contact me. I think having therapy is a wise thing, as issues stem from the past usually. Mine stems from childhood abuse/bullying. I still haven't been able to work through that enough.

I would also eat more salad/fruit, but I have a hiatus hernia. Those healthier things irritates that. So, it's a vicious cycle for me... I definitely plan to walk more, and drink more water though.

I think making yourself move more is more important than anything else just now. Can you take your wee one out and just starting doing more miles everyday (if they're in a pram). Maybe walking and not running at night will help. Also, you can still eat what you want as long as you count your calories religiously and limit yourself to avoid excess eating. Better to lose weight and not torment yourself that you can't eat what you like just now, just be realistic and eat less of it. Ideally we'd all eat protein and veg all day long, but pizza is so delicious.

Morning, I also have a fatty liver. It was discovered from an ultrasound for gallstones. My previous GP was hopeless and didn't give me any info. I asked my new GP and she checked the results and said its small deposits, she said they see this a lot even in very slim people. Moving more is definitely the key and obviously diet. I have disabilities that slow my movement but I'm hoping to start swimming at least once a week again. As PP says start by cutting out sugar, high fat and high carbs. When you are as tired as you will be it's so easy to just eat what is quick. If you have prepped veg ready for a healthier stir fry or chicken and veg etc that would help hopefully. Get your greens into you, spinach kale and broccoli. Don't feel you're alone, there are many people don't know they have fatty deposits and have a healthy lifestyle. It can be hereditary. I was mortified because its normally associated with alcohol. X

Please mention your disordered eating to the wellbeing prescriber and ask for a referral to the ED service. You don't need to be given a diet sheet with a list of restrictions, you need guidance from a trained eating disorder specialist in how to develop better coping mechanisms and learn intuitive eating. Not all eating disorders tick the neat diagnoses boxes, there are degrees of severity and not everyone purges. Avoid dieting at all costs, this only feeds into the cycle. Get some help on how to eat mindfully and make healthier choices while still enjoying the occasional treat. Find some balance and focus on exercise as your main treatment for the liver issue.

Discovered this thread when using the search function
Recently after a private liver mri
( after stuff picked up on ct scan)

• been told i have fatty liver disease

Ordered an indoor exercise bike
Bought extra low fat foods

Had cod without breadcrumbs / batter today