NAFLD, OA and other initials lol

I went to the GP for my scans results yesterday.  Firstly, she said that my missing ovary is probably just hiding....she confirmed that they do shrink after menopause and it becomes much more difficult to see them, as they're small to begin with and obviously even smaller after menopause.  She said it would be more concerning if it was enlarged, and the fact that it's not visible is not really significant.  So that's that.

There are no signs of cancer.  I have multiple small gallstones, but I've had them for years, they don't appear to have grown and don't cause me any problems.  However, I do have NAFLD (non alcoholic fatty liver disease), which was first spotted when I had an ultrasound several years ago, at the same time as the gallstones were found.  At the time, the fatty liver was merely mentioned as being something that diabetics frequently have, I was given no real information or advice about it.  According to my GP, however, it's got worse since, to the point where I now have to have regular scans, every 9 months or so.  I also need regular blood tests (I have them anyway) to check my liver function.  She said if the next scan in 9 months shows any further worsening, then I'll need a liver biopsy.

The GP said there's no treatment, but I must lose weight and that in itself should stop any further progression.  If I don't, then I may end up getting liver fibrosis or, worse, cirrhosis.  

I didn't really take it all in whilst she was telling me, but woke up in the night thinking about it and came downstairs and googled, as you do!  And it's scary.  We generally associate cirrhosis with heavy drinkers, and men at that (George Best and Paul Gascoigne spring to mind), I never really knew that you could get it even if you're female and don't drink (I hardly drink alcohol).

There's a new nurse at our practice, I've seen her once and she's quite evangelical and sergeant-majorish about diabetes and weight loss.  The GP has booked me in to see Nurse Rose, she clearly thinks Rose will scare me into losing weight! (Probably just what I need).

I also mentioned my hip and back pain to the GP, first time I've ever told a doctor.  She examined my hips and said it appears I have both osteo arthritis and trochanteric bursitis in my right hip (people normally have one or the other, apparently, but not both....trust me to be different!), and simple OA in my left hip (oh well that's alright then haha).  I told her about the CBD oil, she said to carry on with it and see if I get any further improvement....if not, to self refer for physio (she gave me a referral form), at which time I may need xrays and steroid injections.  Once again she said that losing weight will also help with the pain - I'm not stupid, I know that, which is one of the reasons why I've not seen a doctor about my hip pain before.

A lot to take in.  Losing weight is not easy, I've had a weight problem my entire life.  And it's harder during winter when I want rib-sticking stews and dumplings!