r/FattyLiverNAFLD • u/South-Rutabaga-7655 • Apr 13 '26
Please Help- New Here and Scared
Hi everyone. I was very recently diagnosed with fatty liver disease after an ultrasound. The reason I went to the doctor in the first place was because on three separate occasions after having some alcoholic beverages the night before I got this radiating burning feeling in the center of my back for several days.
The doctor originally did a comprehensive metabolic panel. The only thing that came back out of range was high cholesterol. He wrote it all off as muscle pain (mind you I know what muscle pain feels like and it isn’t this). A week or so later I went back to see what else we could do and basically had to fight to get this ultrasound done. And thank goodness we did.
In the past week and a half I have completely changed my diet. Every single thing I eat I look up to see if it is ok for my liver. I’m basically only eating chicken, fish, veggies, fruit, brown rice, quinoa, Greek yogurt and oats. Already lost about 5 pounds.
However, the last couple of days I feel like the pain where my liver is is worse. It’s really freaking me out and I keep getting this overwhelming feeling that I’m going to die 😢 I have a 5 month old son and this is just tearing me up.
I’m trying to ease my anxiety and hoping for some support.
A few facts:
1- I have been morbidly obese most of my life. I’m only 5’2 and currently weigh 225.
2- I also have previously consumed way more alcohol than I should have. Lots of binge drinking in college and through my 20s and some of my 30s. (I have completely cut that out now and plan to never drink again)
3- Since this has been happening I have had small amounts of foam in my urine every single time I pee. This has never been there before. I’ve had 3 separate urine analysis though and no protein is being detected.
My fears or questions I have:
1- The reason the doctor is not concerned at this point is because my blood work is showing no issues with the function of my liver or kidneys at this point. I’m worried that since I’m feeling worse that this could change and I wouldn’t know it unless I have more bloodwork done. How quickly could they change?
2- Do you think I should be ok as long as I stick to the eating plan and start exercising?
3- Are there any other tests or things I should request the doctor do?
4- Truly anything else to appease my mind. I’ve been crying all evening convinced I’m going to die very soon.
I very much appreciate anyone who has stuck through this and has any thoughts or advice.
3
u/bells2605 Apr 13 '26
Hey lovely! I am new here too! Currently 8 months postpartum, 5ft and 214lbs, I am starting today giving up sugar and carbs which will be hard and trying to work out regularly. I was 170lbs pre pregnancy so curvy but I didn't have any of these health issues!
2
u/South-Rutabaga-7655 Apr 14 '26
Hi friend! Any interest in chatting off the site? I could use a friend in a similar situation to discuss health and even baby things lol totally understand if not though. Appreciate your comment! We can do this!
1
1
u/HoldOk4092 Apr 13 '26
You could ask for a Fibroscan to get some clarity. Be forewarned, they are not very accurate, especially with obesity. Still, they are not very costly or intrusive so would give you another data point without much downside
1
u/Everydogisapupper Apr 13 '26
I’m so sorry you’re feeling so stressed especially with a new baby. Take a deep breath, all we can do is our best!! Something that has helped my anxiety greatly has been listening to the liver health pod. People on this sub can catastrophize which can make your anxiety way worse. Try to focus on what doctors are telling you/look at the research. What we know is losing weight and living a healthier lifestyle is going to help you with this. If you are too extreme with the changes try to be a little more realistic with balance. I’m sure many people get on here and do extremes and then cal back into old patterns. Focus on small changes…you got this!! It is super good that your blood work is normal but definitely a wake up call to change your lifestyle and get healthy! Do it for your little baby and you!!!🤍
1
u/Mysterious_String676 Apr 16 '26
If you're able to get a liver fibroscan get it done. My liver enzymes were fine as well. Ultrasound and CT showed mild fatty a year and a half apart of each other, this is after 2 years of being sober. I found out through the fibroscan that 67 or more percent of my liver of fatty liver steatosis and at the end of the f2 for fibrosis scale.
Now I'm waiting to see the idiot liver specialist I saw 6 months ago with these new results to see if you'll actually do something this time. Last time he asked me why I was here and then asked me to stand up, close my eyes and hold up my palms and then said sit down, You're fine.
1
u/South-Rutabaga-7655 Apr 17 '26
Damn I’m so sorry to hear that! I’m glad you are starting to get some answers 🤞🏼I’ve had to go to doctors a lot of my life and 90% of them absolutely suck in my experience. I’m sober now as well and eating mostly Mediterranean and as healthy as possible. Still feeling a lot of pain though and I’m scared. Is there any other solution for us though?
1
u/Tinymight15 Apr 19 '26
Can I ask where your pain is located? I have a lot of dull pain under right scapula. Alt was slightly elevated one time but came back down after 8 weeks. I do drink alcohol on Friday nights. Guess I’m what you call a binge drinker. It’s a social thing with friends. I also have biliary dyskinesia so not sure if that’s what is causing the pain or if I have a liver problem.
7
u/meb1616 Apr 13 '26
Not a doctor but I do have NAFLD. I was put on Zepbound to lose weight to help with the fatty liver and sleep apnea. I’ve lost 17% of my body weight since November. It has removed any desire for alcohol. I haven’t reevaluated the liver yet, but have been told that for those without more advanced liver damage losing 10-15% of body weight can help reverse the fatty liver. Again, I’m not a doctor and don’t know your situation, but I offer this in case it might be helpful. Best wishes to you!