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Post by my2apps2 on Aug 20, 2014 17:25:56 GMT
This isn't really a "diagnose me" thread, I already have my diagnosis.  I am wondering if anyone has ever had any experience with this and maybe has some advice or insight into why I can't seem to feel better. I was diagnosed a few months ago with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. My doctor did blood work and everything except for my liver enzymes came back normal so he sent me for an ultrasound of my abdominal organs (I came in complaining of gall bladder symptoms) All of my ultrasound results (except my liver) were normal and my liver showed some fatty deposits. The doc told me to exercise and lose weight (which I was already doing...have lost 30 pounds so far) and that I would feel better. The problem is that I don't. I feel awful most days. No matter what I eat or drink, I have an upset tummy, horrible gas and bloating and some pain in my back and abdomen (right around where my liver is...it feels swollen, if that makes sense) Is this normal with this disease? I still exercise...I walk 3.5 miles a day at a brisk pace with lots of hills involved. I will freely admit that I don't always eat as well as I should, but I'm not on a steady diet of junk food either. I do drink a ton of diet coke, and realize that I need to cut that from my diet...but surely that can't be causing all of this? I guess I'm just tired of feeling miserable. It's starting to become depressing. I guess I'm just whining...but I was wondering if any of you might have dealt with this and might have some tips or possible treatments to help other than exercise and diet. (because it doesn't seem to be helping with my symptoms) Thanks in advance! |
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scrappinmama
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,025
Jun 26, 2014 12:54:09 GMT
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Post by scrappinmama on Aug 20, 2014 17:49:22 GMT
I'm sorry you aren't feeling well. It can be so frustrating, and downright scary. I do have a relative who went through this. He never drinks either. He is feeling better now. He lost some weight, and exercises every day. He really watches what he eats. And I know that he cut soda from his diet. Have you googled to see what type of diet you should follow? Maybe there are certain foods that you need to stay away from? I hope you feel better soon. And that is awesome that you lost 30lbs. That is awesome!
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Post by my2apps2 on Aug 20, 2014 17:53:06 GMT
Thanks! Yes, I have googled and I am supposed to stay away from high fat foods. I do that for the most part (with the exception of dairy) I guess maybe I need to cut it back further. I'm sure I'll eventually feel better...it's just miserable in the meantime.  |
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Post by tania7424 on Aug 20, 2014 17:56:55 GMT
I have it as well, but no symptoms. They had originally thought the fatty deposits on my liver were mets when I was being diagnosed with kidney cancer. I hope you find some relief soon.  |
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The Birdhouse Lady
Drama Llama
Moose. It's what's for dinner.
Posts: 7,351
Location: Alaska -The Last Frontier
Jun 30, 2014 17:15:19 GMT
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Post by The Birdhouse Lady on Aug 20, 2014 19:09:17 GMT
Did your doctor give you any insight other than lose a few pounds? If I were you I guess I would try to back off the diet soda a bit and see if that helps. Maybe adding in more water.
To me, and I am not a doctor, an upset tummy, bloating and gas don't seem like they would have anything to do with your liver.
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Post by Goldynn on Aug 20, 2014 19:54:36 GMT
The problem is that I don't. I feel awful most days. No matter what I eat or drink, I have an upset tummy, horrible gas and bloating and some pain in my back and abdomen (right around where my liver is...it feels swollen, if that makes sense) I drank 5-8 diet cokes every day for years. I just don't like water. I maintain a healthy weight. Suddenly I felt awful all the time: bloated, gassy, and I'd wake with low back pain every day. I had a few joints that hurt also. The dr couldn't find anything specifically wrong. I cut out the soda, ALL my symptoms went away. I thought at first that it was probably related to my diet more so than the soda being cut out, because I was really eating healthy to feel better again. So I had a soda at lunch one day, and woke up with the same old symptoms in the morning. Because I'm a slow learner, I've tested this out several times, and EVERY time the soda affects me. I assume it's the artificial sweeteners, I must've built up to a level of toxicity in my body and I just can't have it anymore, EVER. It's odd that it would wreak so much havoc with me, but I assure you that it does. Not sure this relates to you at all, but thought I'd share my story. I wish you good health  |
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brandy327
Drama Llama
Posts: 6,353 
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Post by brandy327 on Aug 20, 2014 20:01:05 GMT
I went through testing (liver biopsy) because my dr had narrowed it down to either fatty liver (not alcohol related) or primary biliary cirrhosis. I didn't have one single symptom...except an occasional twinge in my back near my liver, which I always thought was just kidney related (I'm not good about drinking a lot of water). I have to take pills for the rest of my life...but I have found that since quitting soda all together a couple of years ago, I very rarely have those twinges anymore. It's helped with my feeling bloated all the time too. I'd start by cutting out soda. I switched to unsweetened iced tea and water.
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Post by straggler on Aug 20, 2014 20:28:44 GMT
I hope you are seeing a hepatologist for this condition. Hope you feel better soon.
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Post by my2apps2 on Aug 20, 2014 20:37:11 GMT
Thank you all so much for the input! I guess I will try cutting the soda. (though it will make me sad...I do love my diet coke) Straggler, I am only seeing my family practice doctor. After the initial diagnosis I called and explained that there *had* to be something other than that going on because I just feel like crap and the doctor said that if I wanted him to, he would schedule an upper GI scope and colonoscopy to rule out anything else but that my age and blood work was not indicative of needing those procedures. Logically, I know that the diet soda is horrible for me. And you would think that that would be enough incentive to get me to stop drinking it! Thanks again, everyone, for the advice. |
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back to *pea*ality
Pearl Clutcher
Not my circus, not my monkeys ~refugee pea #59
Posts: 3,149
Jun 25, 2014 19:51:11 GMT
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Post by back to *pea*ality on Aug 20, 2014 20:46:31 GMT
Stop drinking the diet soda. It is poison - causes inflammation and is most likely directly linked to your problem.
Have you tried a probiotic? Buy a high quality one at a natural pharmacy or a Whole Foods store.
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Post by my2apps2 on Aug 20, 2014 21:15:16 GMT
Stop drinking the diet soda. It is poison - causes inflammation and is most likely directly linked to your problem. Have you tried a probiotic? Buy a high quality one at a natural pharmacy or a Whole Foods store. I have not tried a probiotic. Though I have thought about it. Is there one you can recommend? I'm not incredibly familiar with them and wouldn't know what is good and what isn't. |
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Post by straggler on Aug 20, 2014 21:24:20 GMT
You can try eliminating the diet soda, but if that doesn't help within a reasonable time ask your doctor for a referral...some gastros are certified in the area of hematology, but not all. You do not want a GP treating you for a liver disorder. Feel better!
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Post by mrsscrapdiva on Aug 20, 2014 21:25:23 GMT
Like someone else said, I think these symptoms seem more like digestion related. I agree, get rid of the soda. Also the probiotic I use is either the Digestive Advantage for gas & bloating or the Philips brand. I would also keep a food journal if things make pain or gas/bloating worse.
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back to *pea*ality
Pearl Clutcher
Not my circus, not my monkeys ~refugee pea #59
Posts: 3,149
Jun 25, 2014 19:51:11 GMT
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Post by back to *pea*ality on Aug 20, 2014 21:27:00 GMT
I get mine at Whole Foods. I have used Dr. Ohira and just switched to Jarrow Formulas. After a few months it is good to change things up.
If you are eating clean, the probiotic will help. If not, keep a food diary and see what is setting this off. Maybe a digestive enzyme supplement will help like betaine with pepsin if you have low stomach acid.
if you decide to try these options buy high quality supplements not the junk they sell at chain drug stores.
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Post by my2apps2 on Aug 20, 2014 21:57:03 GMT
Thanks so much ladies for the info and suggestions! I will start tomorrow with the no diet soda and will be looking in my area for the other things listed. |
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Post by lovemybabes on Aug 20, 2014 23:08:22 GMT
Let me say that I was diagnosed with this about 3 months ago. I still think they are wrong. Yes, I am about 60 lbs overweight. No soda, cut back fats, no sweets. Lost some weight....but about once a month I start feeling awful. I get bloaty, my tummy starts cramping, and I have pain until I make myself throw up. All of my symptoms point to Gallbladder. They did an ultrasound, said it looked great. Let me again say, I swear it is a gallbladder issue. I know, it looked great, but things can hide in the ducts, and I am going for a CT scan next week. After that, I am going to a specialist. I don't think it is fatty liver, hardly anyone has the pain I have, and even with eating well, I still have this pain. I'm so sorry you are having this issue. I would go see a specialist, especially if the pain doesn't lessen. There are other things they can look for. Just to be cautious. ETA: I am not saying that I don't have Fatty Liver, I just think that a few deposits on the edge is not causing this pain. I do think they missed something else as well. Losing the weight is definitely a necessary thing, I just really think that for me, this is gallbladder. |
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Post by my2apps2 on Aug 21, 2014 7:23:45 GMT
Let me say that I was diagnosed with this about 3 months ago. I still think they are wrong. Yes, I am about 60 lbs overweight. No soda, cut back fats, no sweets. Lost some weight....but about once a month I start feeling awful. I get bloaty, my tummy starts cramping, and I have pain until I make myself throw up. All of my symptoms point to Gallbladder. They did an ultrasound, said it looked great. Let me again say, I swear it is a gallbladder issue. I know, it looked great, but things can hide in the ducts, and I am going for a CT scan next week. After that, I am going to a specialist. I don't think it is fatty liver, hardly anyone has the pain I have, and even with eating well, I still have this pain. I'm so sorry you are having this issue. I would go see a specialist, especially if the pain doesn't lessen. There are other things they can look for. Just to be cautious. ETA: I am not saying that I don't have Fatty Liver, I just think that a few deposits on the edge is not causing this pain. I do think they missed something else as well. Losing the weight is definitely a necessary thing, I just really think that for me, this is gallbladder. Ya know, I was positive that was what it was. Had prepared myself for surgery and everything...all of my symptoms point to gall bladder. I guess maybe a second opinion couldn't hurt. I think I will still cut the soda though...I know it isn't good for me. |
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Deleted
Posts: 0
Oct 10, 2024 2:22:47 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Aug 21, 2014 7:30:12 GMT
I don't drink soda/pop/carbonated drinks ever. I just don't like the carbonation. I am weird that way. My mother loves it though. She loves the fizziness. She drinks Sprite because she was having GI issues with artificial sweeteners. Are they that bad for you? I don't use them in anything. I would have a teaspoon of sugar rather than something like that. Personal preference. No judgment on anyone else, please. Does aspartame cause so much damage? What about sucralose (splenda). Is it equally bad?
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Post by bbkeef on Aug 21, 2014 12:35:02 GMT
I concur with others...cut the diet soda out. I did have gall bladder issues and I had a lot of the same issues you are describing. It took over a year of testing to get my final gall bladder diagnosis and have it removed. I would definitely keep working with your doctors especially if you think it is your gall bladder. Don't give up. I can GUARANTEE you that you will feel tons better when you are off the diet soda. I now occasionally have a diet 7-up or diet Sierra Mist and that is enough to satisfy the craving. Wishing you good health! |
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I am wondering if anyone has ever had any experience with this and maybe has some advice or insight into why I can't seem to feel better. 
