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Posted 7/14/2011 11:58 PM (GMT 0)
Does anyone know anything about concentrated urine? Anna has had it since the last coma she was in, but it seemed to get a little better. Well, Monday she started having trouble with her HE and Tuesday into Wednesday, it was really bad. Today she is still having issues with it, but we can deal with her and shes ok at times. Since going into this last spell her urine is very dark. It started off a reddish brown color and now it is just about brown. I know there is a type of renal failure associated with liver disease and yes she does have it. I am just confused as to what I can try and do to help her, if there is anything that can be done. Mark has called the doctor a few times but he has yet to call back. We have her drinking powerade, cranberry juice, and clear liquids, but it hasnt made a difference.

She still barely has an appetite and forces herself to eat. Very minimal bm's and has lost a ton of weight. I know this is all signs that the end is near and we just want to try and make her comfortable at home as long as we can. We have given her more lactulose and she hasnt had lasix in a long time because swelling hasnt been to big pf an issure and we know it is hard on the kidneys.

Thanks
Natalie
Posted 7/15/2011 12:02 AM (GMT 0)

Natty, oftentimes dark, concentrated urine is a sign that the end is very near.  She should be drinking good quality water more than anything else.  Mark should call the doctor until he gets a response.  If she stops urinating altogether, get her to the ER.

Hugs,

Connie

Posted 7/15/2011 12:07 AM (GMT 0)
Connie,

We have tried water and she doesnt want it unless there is kool aide in it and all we have is red. Until I get to the store, the other is all we can get her to drink. She even adds it to her bottled water, so that is probably a no go. The reason I thought about powerade is because it has some electrolytes in it in case she is a tad bit dehydated.

Thats kinda what our thoughts are about the urine too, it is just hard sometimes to accept that. I feel like I have put so much into it and her and it hurts. I know that for her sake she would be better off, but i hate to think about it. Even with her being so grouchy most of the time, I love her very much. UGH! I hate liver disease! I wish none of us or our loved ones had to deal with it!

Natalie
Posted 7/15/2011 1:02 AM (GMT 0)

What color of Kool-Aid has she been drinking?  If blue or a dark color, it could stain her urine.  You know how that stuff can so easily stain fingers or counters.  Just a thought.  Certainly not scientific.

Hugs,

Connie


Posted 7/15/2011 1:23 AM (GMT 0)
It is red, but we never had a problem with it before. I think it is just part of the disease, because the last time she was in the coma, it did abut the same and she had no kool aide then.

Nat
Posted 7/15/2011 1:40 AM (GMT 0)
I think that the dark urine is one of the signs that the liver is really decompensated. Her billirubin labs will be really high. This is serious, but so is everything else with her. Sad business. My guess is she will need another hospital stay, some good IV stuff to settle her system down. The liver cannot continue on its own endlessly when decompensated. Sorry.

Mama Lama
Posted 7/15/2011 1:49 AM (GMT 0)
Mama Lama

She stays almost brown because her billirubin is up so high. The doctors have said there is nothing else they can do anymore and that everything will take its place and happen when it should. Now the doctor doesnt even call us back. Her GP is out of the office this week and we have no one to give us answers. As I am typing she is right next to me, calling me her momma and acting off again. I guess we will deal with it as it comes. Unless the E.R. diagnoses her with renal failure her insurance wont pay. So we may have to wait until the HE gets bad again and take her in. Thanks

Natalie
Posted 7/15/2011 2:18 AM (GMT 0)
Natty, there is alot of sodium in sports drinks, and my husbands doctor told us not to give him those. I switched to lemon water to flush his kidneys, and his urine is now alot lighter. His started out the color of cola, and now it looks like weak tea. When he waits too long to "P", it seems to get darker.
We put an ounce of lemon juice in 20 ounce bottle of water . . he drinks about 10 ounces a day, never more than 20 ounces due to Acities and Adema.

It's worth a try and lemon juice is not real expensive, I hope it helps.

Debbie
Posted 7/15/2011 3:38 AM (GMT 0)
Her doctor told us to give her powerade for the electrolytes. Her swelling hasnt been bad and it has some of the other nutrients her body is lacking. I will try the lemon water though. She likes lemonade so hopefully she will like that.

Natalie
Posted 7/15/2011 2:41 PM (GMT 0)
Natalie,
All circumstances are different, so if her doctor told her to drink sports drinks, by all means keep on doing it. The lemon water seems to have helped him, and he is also drinking Boost once a day for vitamins. Boost is expensive, but cheaper than Ensure. He eats 3-4 popsicles every day too . . it's sooo hot. ( the freezer pops in the plastic sleeves, assorted flavors).
It's terrible you and your family are going through all this, and having problems getting medical help for her when needed . . our system is terrible!! Insurance is a scam/joke!

I hope things get better for you all, and congratulations on your tie-ing the knot!!

Debbie
Posted 7/15/2011 3:41 PM (GMT 0)
Have the docs checked her urine to see how much blood is in it? My guess is it's kidney failure.
Posted 7/15/2011 6:01 PM (GMT 0)

David, good point!  Don't know why I didn't think of it.  Kidney failure and liver disease go hand-in-hand...hepatorenal syndrome.

Hugs,

Connie

Posted 7/15/2011 10:15 PM (GMT 0)
Last time she was in the hospital they checked it and there was quite a bit in it. One doc said her kidneys were just dry and bleeding another said kidney failure. Her liver doc said that she does have hepatorenal syndrome last time she went. I guess everything is just going to happen as it happens and we will get through as it happens.

Thanks everyone,
Natalie
Posted 7/15/2011 10:39 PM (GMT 0)
"Her liver doc said that she does have hepatorenal syndrome last time she went."

Then there's your answer.  And it may well be the thing that takes her out in the end.  Has anyone mentioned dialysis yet?  That may not be the best thing for her, considering her advanced liver disease, but she or Mark would have to decide if it is mentioned.

Hugs,

Connie

Posted 7/16/2011 3:05 AM (GMT 0)
Connie,

They said she was too sick for dialysis, she wouldn't be able to handle it. She also couldn't survive a surgery so we are in bad shape when it comes to options. I hate it, but at least for now she is doing well. She is still having hand tremors a lot and is very very yellow. Her mind drifts in and out of it sometimes, but I think we will have to deal with that from now on. One day at a time now, sometimes on hour at a time. We will get through it somehow though.

Natalie
Posted 7/16/2011 3:10 AM (GMT 0)
Natty-I apologize for asking again...but your MIL illness is all from fatty liver disease? She wasn't a drinker? I had no idea it could get this bad.

You are an angel for all the caring you do. God Bless.

Emma
Posted 7/16/2011 3:41 AM (GMT 0)

Natty, I thought that she is probably too sick to be able to have dialysis or surgery.

Emma, the MIL is not a drinker.

Hugs,

Connie


Posted 7/17/2011 10:02 PM (GMT 0)
Hi guys, once again my MIL had a spell. Very unlike the others, but slept 23 out of 24 hours yesterday. We didnt realize she was in a spell until she woke to go to the bathroom. I asked her if she wanted to eat, she almost walked into the wall. Then we woke her up to take her meds, I told her lets go to Mark, and she tried to climb into the fridge to get him. lol, its not funny but then again it is. I have to try and find humor out of it somehow. Today she has been awake, and somewhat aware, but once again I can see it in her eyes. It is funny how her eyes tell all. She looks at you but doesnt see you sometimes. Have any of you ever noticed that when the HE is acting up? Weird!
Now, however, her urine isnt as dark, but it has the foulest odor I have ever smelled. I guess everything is constantly going to change. Just thought I would update.

Natalie
Posted 7/17/2011 10:15 PM (GMT 0)

Thanks for the update, Natalie.  Now that IS funny...trying to get to Mark via the fridge.  My g.f. told me recently that her b.f. (who had HE really bad for awhile) tried to put the dogs on his feet, thinking they were his sneakers.  tongue

Hugs,

Connie

Posted 7/17/2011 11:58 PM (GMT 0)
LOL, some of the things they do is so funny. I am glad she doesnt remember, because I am sure she would get mad as much as we giggle!
Posted 7/19/2011 4:19 AM (GMT 0)
Natty, some of the things they do are pretty funny, and yes you do have to find humor in them or they will drive you insane.

The eyes, yes I have noticed in my husband's eyes that distant, far away look, or looking at me like he doesn't know who the heck I am. Then, I will speak and he will "snap" out of it.....most of the time.

In one of his HE episodes, luckily he was in the hospital, but went running bare naked down the halls of the hospital screaming they could not keep him there against his will, etc.....at the time, I was REALLY embarrassed, and hid so he did not see me for fear of making it worse. But, now that time has passed on, I can look back at some of those things and laugh....sometimes.

Lucky for them, they don't remember any of it

Mer
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