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Help for Hepatic Encephalopathy
Hello, about 2 months ago I finished triple therapy. I am UND and feeling pretty good. That being said I thought that since I was UND I no longer needed the Lactulose. Wrong! While I am UND hoping to be heading to SVR I realize that I need to take the Lactulose for now until my liver can filter toxins a little better than it is doing right now.
My question is, are there are other things I can do in addition to the lactulose? Would a high fiber diet help?...or is it only the lactulose that removes the ammonia? I appreciate any advice. I see the doctor on May 1st and will also talk to him. I was hoping to get help for now
Thank you
Dee
My question is, are there are other things I can do in addition to the lactulose? Would a high fiber diet help?...or is it only the lactulose that removes the ammonia? I appreciate any advice. I see the doctor on May 1st and will also talk to him. I was hoping to get help for now
Thank you
Dee
Thank you all so much for your responses, this forum continues to amaze me with all of the nice people on here. I really appreciate it.
I was able to call the doctor to get additional lactulose and seeing him on the 1st, will ask more questions and try to find a good Hep, thought I had one.
I was able to call the doctor to get additional lactulose and seeing him on the 1st, will ask more questions and try to find a good Hep, thought I had one.
Thank you again, until your post I did not realize I had advanced cirrhosis either. I have been on a low dose of lactulose, just thought I needed additional help.
@All
Thank you for taking the time to write. I thought I was done with the fight, evidently I am not so am in a little bit of shock here
@All
Thank you for taking the time to write. I thought I was done with the fight, evidently I am not so am in a little bit of shock here
I have been thinking about this doing more research and see where I went wrong, it was a case of apples and oranges. I thought that when I got to UND and felt so much better that it was over.
With cirrhosis it is not over. I have to be vigilant make sure I am cognizant of what I am taking and how it will affect my liver and also take the lactulose. I hope that my liver will get better over time. I am sorry I used a post for my own stupidity and/or denial regarding the cirrhosis.
With cirrhosis it is not over. I have to be vigilant make sure I am cognizant of what I am taking and how it will affect my liver and also take the lactulose. I hope that my liver will get better over time. I am sorry I used a post for my own stupidity and/or denial regarding the cirrhosis.
Still thinking about this and dumb I feel to think that all I had to do was get to UND and all would be well. I was not educated enough about cirrhosis to know that I still have cirrhosis and I still have to keep fighting to live, to keep my mind etc. If it were not for Hector and Hawk I still would not know. I am beyond upset. I wonder now if this is why I had so much trouble on the tx. I did get to a point right after the Incivek where I could not comprehend what I was reading and I could not write a letter, this went on for about 2 weeks.
I appreciate everyone on here so very much, even if I do not name you I am thankful for all of you
I appreciate everyone on here so very much, even if I do not name you I am thankful for all of you
Dee does your Bx show cirrhosis? The reason i ask is you have normal platelets and your doctor didn't treat you as being cirrhotic... Confused here.:)
Hector taking lactulose doesn't always mean someone has HE.
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Why is this medication prescribed?
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Lactulose is a synthetic sugar used to treat constipation. It is broken down in the colon into products that pull water out from the body and into the colon. This water softens stools. Lactulose is also used to reduce the amount of ammonia in the blood of patients with liver disease. It works by drawing ammonia from the blood into the colon where it is removed from the body.
.
Why is this medication prescribed?
.
Lactulose is a synthetic sugar used to treat constipation. It is broken down in the colon into products that pull water out from the body and into the colon. This water softens stools. Lactulose is also used to reduce the amount of ammonia in the blood of patients with liver disease. It works by drawing ammonia from the blood into the colon where it is removed from the body.
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I didn't releaze you had advanced cirrhosis? Glad you are UND and looking good for SVR.
The only two drugs that treat Hepatic Encephalopathy (HE), Lactulose (or Kristalose) and Xifaxan (Rifaxamin) 550-mg 2x a day. Talk to your doctor about Xifaxan. It is very expensive. About $1,500 per month so hopefully you have good insurance.
Since you have cirrhosis it could take a long time before your still living liver cells (not the scar tissue) can regenerate again. Your doctor should have explained this to you. If you are seeing a gastroenterologist you should be seeing a hepatologist at a transplant center as they are much more knowledgeable and experienced in matters having to do with cirrhosis.
Here is the link to Xifaxan. Check out their $100 co-pay discount card too.
http://www.xifaxan550.com/
Without Xifaxan I don't know what I would do. Amazing stuff!
Good luck!
Cheers!
Hector