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Heat Sensitivity and Cirrhosis
Does anyone else have a problem with the heat and humidity?
I have cirrhosis and this year in particular has been extremely difficult for me whenever it is humid, which is pretty much all the time lately. Normally, in previous years, I pretty much enjoy the heat so this is a new thing for me. If I go out just for an hour or so and I am dripping wet and get exhausted to the point where I can't do anything but rest for a couple of days. I do stay hydrated.
I have cirrhosis and this year in particular has been extremely difficult for me whenever it is humid, which is pretty much all the time lately. Normally, in previous years, I pretty much enjoy the heat so this is a new thing for me. If I go out just for an hour or so and I am dripping wet and get exhausted to the point where I can't do anything but rest for a couple of days. I do stay hydrated.
I don't have any answers,but I can say the same for me,being out in the heat for even minutes,ruins my whole day. The nausea kicks in as well.
COMMUNITY LEADER
Strangely patients with advance cirrhosis (End-Stage Liver Disease (ESLD)) are always feeling cold. Sometimes shivering. This is due to the changes in the blood flow because of portal hypertension caused by the scarring of liver. They can never seem to get enough heat. Many will want the heat on and turned way up, even in summer, they may wear many layers of clothing or winter jackets at other times of year and sleep with multiple layers of blankets yet still complain of being cold. We see this many times in hospitalized patients at our transplant center. Amazingly the day after their transplant caregivers are always surprised and amazed when the transplanted patient no more want extra blankets and may even feel warm for the first in sometimes years!
Thankfully your cirrhosis has not process that far but you appear to be suffering with the fatigue and and limited reserve energy which is universal in people with earlier full cirrhosis. Unfortunately there is nothing we can do (no pill or treatment helps) but we can learn to listen to our bodies and try to do as much as we can to stay active, while at the same time, not over do it because as you can see our bodies have to work overtime doing so-called "normal things" then it can take a few days for us to recover enough energy to get back to whatever or cirrhotic normal is.
I used to think of it before my transplant as I was always "running on empty". I had a limited amount of energy each day. After that I was running on fumes. Over time I then learn how to estimate how much energy it would take for a particular task such as walk to the store, and subtract that from my day's reserve. When I was out I would tell myself I just have to take it easy from now on and take it easy. If I over did it that day, I would be bed ridden for a number of days which was counter productive and ultimately not worth it. So I made my "Must Do" list and my "Like to Dot list. Basically for me I would forget about the like to dos and divide my time and energy doing what I needed to do in priority of what was most important to get done. Things like paying my bills, doctors appointments, etc. I would direct my limited energy there and then give my body and mind the rest it needed. That went on for years as I waited for my transplant as my liver disease progressed.
Being as active as possible is good both physically and mentally. But if we over do it then actively becomes counter productive. It is a fine line. It took we many years of practice to know my limits. It is part of maintaining the best quality of life we can while we have cirrhosis. For me everything changed when I got my transplant. It was only after transplant that I realized how sick and tired I was for years. Now I feel better and can do things I haven't done in at least 10 years.
I hope you can overcome your cirrhosis and have the energy and stamina that healthy folks take for granted.
Be well!
Hector
Thankfully your cirrhosis has not process that far but you appear to be suffering with the fatigue and and limited reserve energy which is universal in people with earlier full cirrhosis. Unfortunately there is nothing we can do (no pill or treatment helps) but we can learn to listen to our bodies and try to do as much as we can to stay active, while at the same time, not over do it because as you can see our bodies have to work overtime doing so-called "normal things" then it can take a few days for us to recover enough energy to get back to whatever or cirrhotic normal is.
I used to think of it before my transplant as I was always "running on empty". I had a limited amount of energy each day. After that I was running on fumes. Over time I then learn how to estimate how much energy it would take for a particular task such as walk to the store, and subtract that from my day's reserve. When I was out I would tell myself I just have to take it easy from now on and take it easy. If I over did it that day, I would be bed ridden for a number of days which was counter productive and ultimately not worth it. So I made my "Must Do" list and my "Like to Dot list. Basically for me I would forget about the like to dos and divide my time and energy doing what I needed to do in priority of what was most important to get done. Things like paying my bills, doctors appointments, etc. I would direct my limited energy there and then give my body and mind the rest it needed. That went on for years as I waited for my transplant as my liver disease progressed.
Being as active as possible is good both physically and mentally. But if we over do it then actively becomes counter productive. It is a fine line. It took we many years of practice to know my limits. It is part of maintaining the best quality of life we can while we have cirrhosis. For me everything changed when I got my transplant. It was only after transplant that I realized how sick and tired I was for years. Now I feel better and can do things I haven't done in at least 10 years.
I hope you can overcome your cirrhosis and have the energy and stamina that healthy folks take for granted.
Be well!
Hector
1 Comments
This actually almost made me cry, everything you said here is what I'm going through....I'm so tired of feeling fatigued...the mind wants to,but the body can't...I've had stage 4 two years now...your advice here is going to serve me well...thank you
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