When people are newly diagnosed with liver disease many of them describe feeling alone, frightened and distressed. It can be difficult to take in everything that you are told during a consultation and very often patients find themselves struggling to remember or fully understand what their doctor has said.
After leaving the consulting room more questions occur to you, as they surely will once things begin to sink in. Where do you turn for sensible advice, simpler explanations and ongoing support? Although family and friends can be wonderfully supportive they might also have questions, or be struggling to hide their own worry, fears or feelings. They too can benefit from support.
Liver support groups have been helping patients and their families through all of these difficulties and more for many years. They have proved to be an invaluable resource helping to inform, educate and reassure patients. The mutual sharing of factual information and coping strategies can really help reduce the fear associated with illness and help people to manage their condition and symptoms more effectively.
We aim to provide a useful section here on our website which will help to overcome regional gaps in support for liver patients as well as keep you up to date with the location and activities of actual support groups which you may wish to contact.
We hope you will find the information beneficial and would welcome your feedback. Please contact us if you have any comments or suggestions on how we could improve the support offered here.
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