Inflamed Liver

My blood test result came in today. There was a note from my doctor to stop consuming alcohol and Tylenol. I've always known my liver was sick. How else would I have lost my gall bladder? My doctor has already made me aware how fat my liver was. I have changed most of my diet. I've eaten so much chicken, I want to throw it out the window.

"In the early stage of any liver disease, your liver may become inflamed. It may become tender and enlarged. Inflammation shows that your body is trying to fight an infection or heal an injury. But if the inflammation continues over time, it can start to hurt your liver permanently.

When most other parts of your body become inflamed, you can feel it – the area becomes hot and painful. But an inflamed liver may cause you no discomfort at all, and people with inflammation generally do not feel it.

If your liver disease is diagnosed and treated successfully at this stage, the inflammation may go away."

Just to give you an idea the symptoms I'm currently experiencing

Anyway, as much as I would like to say, "I should give up drinking alcohol;" and go cold turkey like Amy Winehouse, I'll have to start using my Fitbit™ meal tracker again. The last thing I need is another surgery for a Liver transplant. It's money I don't have at the moment.

Just to educate myself a little more, it's very telling my body has not healed from all the processed food I've been consuming after my Cholecystectomy. Here are the 15 telling signs of a damaged liver…

1. I didn't think much about the Swollen Abdomen until 3 weeks ago. It definitely ballooned twice as I remembered it last.
2. Jaundice
3. Abdominal Tenderness didn't start until 3 weeks ago. I found it rather uncomfortable. I thought I might have eaten too much, but it wasn't the case either.
4. Urine Changes have been noticeable. I can tell you that much.
5. Irritated Skin wasn't an indication until my lab test results and following research. I've always thought it was so hot I was suffering from heat rash. I'm not sure what's real anymore.
6. Stool Changes
7. Nausea
8. Loss of Appetite
9. Fluid Retention has been around after giving birth to my one and only child. I'm not sure this is a valid symptom for me.
10.  Exhaustion depends on time of day. I'm not exhausted all the time.
11.  Bruising Easily is quite a surprise for me since I have a high tolerance for pain.
12. Liver Encephalopathy: Encephalopathy often occurs together with other symptoms and signs of liver failure; generally in people with chronic liver disease
13. Excessive Sweating (?) I sweat a lot on my hands. I don't even think that should count since I've had palmar hyperhydrosis since I was a child. 
14. Weight Gain and High Cholesterol is still something I'm working on
15. No Symptoms [I have no idea]

One of the main reasons I haven't returned to the gym for so long was the fact I was struggling a lot coping with my depression and anxiety. It wasn't until recently, I have taken small steps to be active with my art projects and exercise. Honestly, I feel guilty for allowing myself to fall down the spiral of self-pity and self-loathing. Trust me when I say that I'm not making an excuse.

If suffering from depression wasn't tough enough, try getting out of the rut with Chronic Depression is monumentally challenging. It's not like I'm intentionally trying to kill myself. I don't want to end up like my father. I honestly don't. I like my senses about me.

Honestly, it has been a struggle trying to get me to eat MREs since my Cholecystectomy. There's so much salt in American food I rarely have to cook dishes with salt. No matter how much water I drink, I'm still suffering from dehydration. I'm suppose to stay away from potatoes, tomatoes, beef, rice –since I have named food items, it's fairly obvious to stay away from starch and carbohydrates. I don't mind being a vegetarian. I've had a vegetarian diet when I was pregnant. I enjoyed a lot of vegetables during my prenatal and neonatal stages. I don't have time to cook nowadays considering my schedule in the morning.

The sad part is I can't get a tattoo until this issue resolves itself. Ugh... It seems I can't use air fresheners anymore either. It's also a risk factor to liver failure. Great; just great. Lovely.

Going to the gym is a chore. I'd really like to do other things than just run the elliptic bike. I'm just emotional right now. I am doing my best with what I have available to me. If I have the time and money in the world, I won't have to stress myself out to oblivion.

Time to start Yoga; I guess

Natural Remedy

3 weeks ago, I have discovered something I never thought existed as a vitamin. I have always thought melatonin was a hormone in your body. Some how, some medical pharmaceuticals have harnessed this hormone from plants (most commonly from wheat, barley, oats and/or walnuts - who knew?)

Ever since I bought a bottle (manufactured by Sundown Naturals) from the grocery store, I've been sleeping better without any of the unpleasant side effects as I have with mirtazapine. It takes me about 5 to 10 mins to doze off and wake up refreshed in the morning.

I have also been taking multivitamins to help keep my iron and biotin up to snuff. My hair is healthier and stronger; especially when I have switched my shampoo to Garnier Whole Blends.

The cast iron pan has help a lot in the last 3 months. My iron is still low but at least I'm no longer anemic. I can withstand a 65° F weather without having to don on a jacket or a sweater.

I have also been exercising everyday. I've lost a total of 14 lbs from 140 lbs since March, 2017. I have 17 more pounds to go. My husband has found TV dinners for me which has not caused any digestive issues recently. Finding natural foods is a chore. Especially kosher/halal meat.

I'm just grateful that I still have options when selecting foods that do not contain any chemicals. Purchasing the Pūr Water Filtration pitcher was a good alternate investment. My first Pūr Water filter for the faucet broke.

Keeping myself busy with future goal plans have made my depression more manageable than it used to. I don't think I can ever see myself stopping these good habits.

Half year health update

So, it's 3 months since I used my Fitbit®. I'm liking that it records everything I need monitored. As of right now, my blood pressure is normal. I'm hoping it stays that way before my upcoming health check with my VA doctor.

Apart from normal life stresses (bills, emergencies, etc), my depression has become manageable since I've been taking mirtazapine. The only downside I have with it, is feeling groggy in the morning. According to my Fitbit®, I need to sleep earlier. It's going to be a challenge because I work the mid-shift hours. I don't have a chance to have dinner until 7:30 pm - 8:00 pm. Losing weight will also be quite a challenge.

I've been doing a lot of research as to what types of food that would help me get fitter based on my lifestyle at the moment. I really want to rid package foods from my diet. The salt and sugar contents of these packaged foods are hurting my health.

So far, I have found that based on my lifestyle, chicken, seafood and fish are helpful in getting my liver a break from working too hard. I came across a book about having a skinny liver. I'm reserved at the moment about reading the information they have to share to the world.

I know I haven't been doing well in keeping my diet on track this quarter. I may have to buy a measuring cup that has a foldable silicone feature whenever I dine out. I'm guilty of gorging and indulging on hamburgers once or twice a week. It's getting to the point now where I feel a lot of cramps and aches below my ribcage. Sometimes it's on my left. Other times on my right. Most times in the middle. The last thing I need is for my liver to give out on me. Or worse - my pancreas failing on me without warning. The signs and symptoms are showing. I am aware what I need to be doing.

If I could prepare my own food, I would. For now, I don't have the resources to do so. I will do my best to measure the packaged food I have to eat for the next month or so.