10/9 11:23 BAD NEWS FROM DOC ON MAIN

Hey guys. I don't know how to "double post" maybe one of you could do it for me?? Anyway, I have a bad report from my doc. and it is on the main board if ya'll want to read it. I know ya'll are getting together tonight but my DH really wants me to stay home with him tonight (he works Saturdays) so he and I can try to "come up with" some sort of solution. He is very supportive. Anyway, seems there are some problems with my liver that aren't gonna go away without some real life changes on my part. It's on the main board, if ya'll could read it. If anybody knows anything about liver problems, I could use the info. Dondi

So no one has to go searching here's Dondi's message from the main board: Hey people. I have not posted about this because I just haven't wanted to, but today it is rainy and cloudy and the laundry is piled up and I am down and it is just seems like a good day to whine a little....so here goes..... I went to my doc. for a yearly checkup and my liver enzymes were high, doc. said come back in two weeks, came back another blood test (vampires!) specifically on my liver and the enzymes came back too high a second time. doc. says come back (either a very thorough doc or a guy who crushes on married fat southern women with glasses!) So, I came back and got checked again, this time doc. calls me at home HIMSELF not a good sign and says that my liver enzymes are all out of whack, he says I have "fatty liver" and to come back in six weeks for one more blood test, if still high, he is referring me to some sort of liver specialist. (liver specialist: you don't suppose this is a southern chef who specializes in chicken gizzards, do ya??) So, being the nosy and inquiring little internet, research paitient that I am, I asked him for the specific numbers and looked them up myself on the internet and with the American Liver Association (yes, there is such a thing). Folks, this is not good. My liver is cooked and not even with a side of onions! According to the numbers the doc. gave me over the phone, my liver cells are starting to die...and I am in the beginning stages of liver failure. It seems the liver is a filter, see and my filter has filtered out so much "yummy deep fried southern poison" that it has begun to store fat instead of filtering it out. I am not an alcoholic, I drink only on the holiday or rare occaision but it seems obesity can lead to liver failure problems. Since the liver is filled with fat, this slows down the metabolism (yippee) I am already on synthroid and have been told by my doc. that I have a low metabolism and that, hereditarily speaking, my weight is going to be my biggest battle. (no kiddin'??) My biological Father died of a massive heart attack at 60 (his heart literally exploded inside his chest) from obesity and my paternal aunt has always struggled with her weight and has diabetes now. My Mom has eating issues on the other side of the spectrum, she is underweight and has trouble eating solid food, she lives on ensures and my brother and sister both battle obesity. So, this is an hereidatary as well as psychological and emotional problem. Anyway, obesity has killed my family in the past and now, at age 40, obesity is coming for me. And I am unarmed. So, if I don't "make myself" get up and fight this d%$# thing it is going to kill me. I am 5'4" and I weigh 250 pounds. My liver is now globbed and coated with fat and it is not doing it's job. As I understand it, this means that whatever toxins that are NOT being filtered out by the liver and either being stored through in my body (in my liver) or are swimming around in my bloodstream. (That's why they take blood to check for it, see? The toxins that are supposed to be filtered out, actually show up in the blood.) I thought about posting the numbers, but gosh, that is personal info. on the net and I have probably typed too much already. I can honestly say that the enzymes that are supposed to be high are low and the enzymes that are supposed to be low are high. The only good news is that the liver is regenerative and if I start working on it now, there is a possibility I can reverse it in a couple of years. Anyway, the doc. called me personally at home and gave me the numbers and said he wants to see me again in six weeks. I also read some on milk thistle. Supposed to help cleanse the liver? At my first appointment, which was my yearly checkup, I did ask doc. about wls, he has walked through phtermine, two attempts at weigh****chers and now, Meridia with me, he is a good doc. and he suggested lapband, no offense to lapband, but I don't want that, really, I don't want any surgery at all. I have already gone "under the knife" for other issues and I just don't want to do it again. Again, no offense to lapband, but if I decide to go through surgery, I want an RNY. Anyway, I am not a happy girl. Just venting, I guess. None of this is news to ya'll, I know. We all have our demons to fight I am not unique. The Meridia-popping, weigh****chers going, fitday typing, prozac popping, and NOW liver failing STILL FAT lady in GA. Me. Dondi Anybody know how to cleanse a liver? (Besides taking it out of it's package, flouring it, and popping it into the deep fryer with a side of okra and onions and some gravy????)

THANK YOU, DEBBIE! I am not "computer savvy" so I appreciate the favor. Dondi

You're welcome. Do you know how to copy and paste? That's all there is to it. I bet you can figure out how if you look under EDIT in your users manuel or in your tool bar.

Dondi, I don't have your problem but I'm diabetic and found the best way of eating for me is by following Suzanne Sumers eating plan. The reason I follow it is I learned that the hormone Insulin is the FAT storing hormone. If you don't eat carbohydrates then your body doesn't release insulin and there for it doesn't store fat. Yes you will probably need to watch your fat intake....try to get in the good fats like olive oil & the omega 3 fats. Cut out all processed foods and you will elimate the majority of the bad carbs. The more I think about it the more I realize this way of eating, other than volume, is the way hubby's surgeon says he will need to be eating after he has his RNY. I wish you the best. Debbie

Thank you, Debbie. I will take a look at that. Dondi

I went to my PCP for my complete physical before wls and my blood work came back & my Liver enzymes were 2 points high. Is that bad? If you don't mind me asking. My prayers are with you, hope they get you better soon. Tammy G.

Dondi, my thoughts and prayers are with you. If you need anything at all, just let me know. I will do what I can to help. Hugs, Debra

My 76 yr old mom died from cirhosis a couple of years ago. Hers was caused by diabetes and/or prescription meds. it's good that you can at this point, lose the weight andit follows that if you lose the fat under your skin, you're probably losing fat from your liver also. Each of us probably have some fat in our livers since we're overweight. I think your doctor has a great idea about the lap band. It's probably the least minimal surgery and can be done outpatient. AND if it helps you lose the liver fat too, BIG plus! I can't remember which aggrevates or damages the liver more, motrin, tylenol, or ibuprofin, but you may want to avoid the one which does. I'm not a professional. I went thru the cirhosis with my mom and it was bad. One thing I do know, is the liver does regenerate itself so you do have a lot of good to hope for! God's blessings to you!

What you do is live on liquids for 2 weeks, or clear liquids for one week. If you feel hungry, drink water. Water, water, water. What happens is your liver uses the stored glycogen for energy, and the toxins are released into your bloodstream. The water helps you flush them out through your kidneys. Be sure to get in some exercise every day, nothing hugely major, just a nice walk or something. That helps start the glycogen burn. Then at the end of the liquid fast, get yourself a can of extra virgin olive oil. Hold your nose and drink between 4 and 8 oz straight. This will shock your liver (kind of like shocking a pool). I wouldn't do this more often than every 3 months or so. Dondi, I have some fatty infiltrate into my liver too, they found it on the ultrasound when I went for my intial consult with Dr. Freeman. They told me to just drink plenty of water, watch the extra fat (if any) and get in a little exercise every day. I've seen where lots of people have suggested a biopsy, I'd recommend an ultrasound too. Lots of things can futz with your liver enzymes -- I have liver panels done every 3 months because I'm on metformin (Glucophage) for diabetes, 2 different cholesterol drugs, 2 different blood pressure drugs, and I used to be on Celebrex then on Vioxx. ALL those can mess with your liver enzymes and cause false abnormal readings. Get the physical check on your liver and review the side effects of your medications before you freak. ((((((HUG)))))) Lorri