Fatty Deposits in Liver

[Dizzydi]

My mum type 2 for 18 years age 60 had a scan and they have found fatty deposits in her liver. She is finally being refereed to the dietitian and diabetic specialist. Her HbA1C is 8.4. She is on 100 units of slow release insulin (sorry have to admit I dont know which one she is on as well as other meds)

She has being going on the the last 3 years about her lack of care etc and I have constantly told her to get to her GPs and demand to be seen properly etc and has she? No and now look

Told her last night she has to change her ways etc stop eating white bread, go for a low sat fat intake in food, do some exercise and lose weight. (& everything else she should be doing)

I'm seeing her tomorrow night and am going to tell her how serious this is and how she needs to change her ways. I don't obviously want to upset her, but I need to lay it out exactly what it all means - she seemed a bit blase

Can anyone shed light on what this means to her if she does not change her diet etc and get at least some exercise? I've tried in the past helping and I'm sorry to say all she does is moan and say she should be about the same weight as me. She was 105 kilo's before Christmas and is now down to 98 she is the same height as me and I'm 65 kilo.

 

[Northerner]

Sorry to hear this Di. Your mum isn't that much older than me and I always find it interesting that people of similar age can have such a different attitude to their diabetes. I believe that fatty liver is a contributing factor to insulin resistance, and this coupled with her excess weight is probably half the reason why she needs so much insulin. Or rather, I should imagine she could reduce her insulin doses considerably if she started being more proactive in her diabetes management.

Insulin is a growth hormone, and the more we put into ourselves (or produce, if not injecting), the greater the likelihood that we will put on weight, so it's a bit of a vicious circle - a bit like trying to run into a strong headwind, you tend to make slow progress at first until you reach a point where you start to become more insulin-sensitive so can reduce the doses. So, you need to be determined and patient. Is there any reason your mum isn't more active? Is there any outdoor activity that she enjoys that could perhaps be made into a more regular hobby or interest? How about joining the Ramblers? There are lots of great walks up in your neck of the woods and it can be an ideal way to see some wonderful things, meet new friends and get fit 🙂 Anything will do though, but I think regular exercise, if she is physically capable, is one of the best things to helplose not just the subcutaneous fat that we all see, but those fatty deposits - the visceral fat - that cause so many problems.

I wouldn't suggest she tries the 'wonder cure' 600 calorie diet, but she does need to take a good look at her diet. Can you persuade her to start keeping a food diary? That should be greatly helpful when she gets to see the dietician, but also you could go through it with her and look for ways it can be improved. Every little thing will help, just replacing the 'bad' things she likes with 'good' things that she might actually like just as much!

Her HbA1c isn't dreadful, but from my point of view she is still a young woman with decades ahead of her - she needs to do all she can to ensure that she enjoys every last second of it, and from what you have said there ARE things that she can do that are relatively simple. And all this doesn't have to be a chore or a sacrifice of her pleasures and comforts, it can be a whole new Mum running alongside you in the Great Manchester Run! Or whatever takes her fancy 🙂

Sorry for rambling on, I hope there's something in there that is helpful! 🙂

 

[trophywench]

There is a very specific medical diet that can work wonders for fatty livers; it is very very very restrictive and is what they insist bariatric surgery patients eat for a fortnight pre-op for that very purpose.

Know someone that's doing it at the moment, lost 2.5kg weight the first week! Has to drink a lot of water too, that is specifically calculated for each patient. Think it's only by keeping the tummy full that she can bear it TBH.

You do tend to put on a bit when you are older; but not excessively - I was always an 8/8.5 stone lady, now I'm happier round 9-ish stone or slightly above (60kg). I'm 5'4" and 61 by the way. And currently 9st 12lbs, so have taken myself in hand!

 

[Dizzydi]

Thanks for the advice guys. I'm gonna help her as much as I can - I'm not gonna go in all guns blazing, but point out a) this is where we are at & what has happened has and b this is where we need to be and we can put it right and explain to her about the insulin side of it and weight gain etc. I once tried to explain about weight = more insulin but it went over her head. I dont want to see mum end up in the state granny is now at 83 Type 2 no life, dead legs and I would say not long to live cause she refuses point blank to look after herself or accept help

She does know what she needs to do - I was 83 kilo when I was diagnosed over 3 years ago and I made massive life changes and have kept to them, so I can but try.

Mum does have painful joints and uses that as an excuse to not go out walking etc - Dad does and we have managed to get her out a couple of times this year so far -but not enough.

 

[Dizzydi]

i hit a brick wall

Well not literally but it was like talking to myself when I spoke to mum.

Gonna talk to dad next.

Everything I said was meet with moaning and complaining etc. My sisters just shock her head after and said don't bother, she not interested in helping herself - I could scream.

Gonna keep chipping

 

[Sheilagh1958]

Hopefully your little chat might of helped once she has had time to digest it and think about it herself.

 

[tracey w]

Its difficult Di, but its her diabetes and not yours.

Maybe she has taken everything you said on board you said and is just upset about the situation? Maybe she will change things but when she is ready 🙂

 

[cherrypie]

I see from your first post you told her that she has to change her ways. If someone said that to me then I would switch off.
I know you have mum's best interests at heart but have you stopped to think that she may be depressed and angry with herself that she has let this get out of hand. You are reversing roles and trying to be the parent and IMHO there is another way.
Tell her that you want the best for her, you know she is miserable with this constant battle and that you all love her too much to let her give up. Ask her how you can help her. Does she need you to help her with meal planning, does she understand the relationship between food and blood sugars, is there anything that would make her life happier, is there any form of exercise that you can do with her? (get a Wii-fit and do it together, have a laugh).
We all know that diabetes and depression go hand in hand so perhaps that is where your mum is at? Depression is not something that can be seen like a leg in plaster, she may be suffering inside and is too down to tell anyone fearing that the family will judge her. There is a stigma attached to depression and some people think that telling someone to pull themselves together will cure it.
I am speaking from an older person's perspective and she may feel that nobody understands and that she is "past her sell by date", so what is the point. This is how somebody explained to me how they felt when the family kept on at her.😱

 

[Dizzydi]

I hope she takes everything on board and starts to practice what she preaches. Granny type 2 is in a bad way and mum keeps on at her.

I won't give up, I don't want to see her end up in an early grave. I've offered to help in anyway I can, so it is now with mum to ponder and hopefully act x

 

[Andy HB]

Hi dizzy,

I've been away for a few days so have only just seen this.

You don't have to do anything drastic to reverse a fatty liver. But do as you suggest (e.g. lose weight, reduce the amount of saturated fat in the diet and exercise).

I was identified as having fat deposits in the liver when diagnosed in October, 2009 and my last scan was completely clear.

Andy 🙂

 

[sweetsatin]

Hi Di
The fatty liver is just a matter of promoting a ballanced diet and some exercise, little exercise and often works well.
Sorry to hear about your mum i wish you luck there,
Would it be possible to book your mum in for the expert programe and go along with her for support, its worh a try
but ultimately it is still up to the individual to accept responsibility for their own health. I can also understand how she feels if she has been neglected in the past and has had no help from her primary care trust.

 

[Andy HB]

Hi Di
The fatty liver is just a matter of promoting a ballanced diet and some exercise, little exercise and often works well.

Just reminded me about one thing. I'm sure I read somewhere .... can't remember where though .... that it's best to reverse the fatty liver slowly. Doing it too quickly can lead to scarring, which isn't a good thing.

However, I am not 100% sure about this. Best that it is discussed with the appropriate health professional.

Andy 🙂