It's been a bumpy road

Hello, all! I have not posted in quite some time. But, did need some input here. As most of you know, my husband has HepC and Cirrhosis and has been on the transplant list for quite some time. He was most recently admitted to the hospital this last Friday due to he has started having seizures again. He has been on anti-seizure medication since they started in April, but not sure what the deal is. His ammonia level is up as well and the lactulose is not helping. As a matter of fact, the neuro is very concerned that the lactulose and the Dilantin are combatting each other. So, he has placed a call to the hepatologist to have a conversation. In the meantime, he is in inactive status again! The neuro feels like 90% of my husband's problems will resolve with a new liver, but he is inactive because of the seizures! So, the ammonia level keeps creeping in the wrong direction, and they cannot balance the Dilantin level either......

Isn't there an antibiotic drug that can help with the ammonia level that's not as "yucky" as the lactulose?? I am thinking that may be a better choice given the absorbtion problems he's having with the seizure meds.

As of lately, I think he is giving up. Prior to going in the hospital, he just sleeps all the time, and is in so much pain (he has had a severe headache since March and nothing releives the pain). He finally gave me that look right before going into the hospital that an animal gives you when it wants to be out of misery.....

If someone know the name of that antibiotic that helps the ammonia level, I would be appreciative so I can ask specifically about it at the hospital tomorrow.....

Thanks!

Rick, I believe both meds are one and the same..........just different manufacturers. Lactulose has lot's of different manufacturers also.........so there's different names for it as well .........but it is the same and does the same job. Enulose is one of them. My husband tried I believe 3 different brands and umpteen different additives trying to find a way that he could tolerate it.. We put soda,different juices, water, etc.....finally he gave up and bit the bullet...........just downed it straight like taking a shot. And chased it with water. He said it was the nastiest stuff on earth. He had me taste it when I kept after him to take it. To me that it was like the caster oil that my mom gave us kids years ago with a lot of sweetner in it.

Thoughts and prayers.............

My mom had an allegic reaction to the remoxifin, although she is not allergic to anything else, so watch for that.  and it was working for her.

Hey, Joann!!

He has been listed (on and off) for about a year and a half now. His MELD has hung down pretty low 7-8 and as high as 10. But, this being inactive every couple of months is insane!! His liver specialist did call in a prescription for the Xifaxin, thinking he would get released from the hospital today, but now it may not be until tomorrow or Friday.

I do hope that Jerry is doing well.....and I am SO happy for you that he has received his transplant!!