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Posted 11/24/2013 7:26 PM (GMT 0)
Ziff, beautifully written.

Kierstin, Ziff did have persistent ascites with many "taps," until he finally had a TIPS placed.

Hugs,
Connie
Posted 11/24/2013 8:22 PM (GMT 0)
Lungie, It took about 5 months for my MELD to start lowering considerably. Can't remember exact numbers but high teens I believe. It took a additional 2 years of bouncing up and down the MELD chart of high to low teens to get into single digit numbers. Over the last year it's been down in single digits but jumps a point or two here and there to where I've been removed from consideration for transplant.

The meds I took were diuretics like lasix for the swelling but haven't needed those since TIPS surgery 4 years ago. The ones I have been on from practically the beginning was Xifaxin, Lactulose, Ambien, Escitalopram (Generic for Lexapro) and over the counter vitamins consisting of : Vitamin C, B-Complex and a multi vitamin. I use the Ambien sparingly but have to take it cause I can't sleep without it. My sleep pattern has been screwed up from day one. If I don't stay busy doin something I will fall asleep. The main reason I don't drive long distances anymore. My wife takes over the wheel when I even think I'm getting sleepy.

The biggest thing I personally think that helped me (Dr. Agrees) is that I keep busy if nothing else but remedial task. I remodeled the wife's bathroom when I was being drained twice a week and felt like hell. I crawled around on my swollen belly every inch of that little bathroom. It took my mind off just how miserable thing were. Lots of the problem is in our heads. The minute we let those negatives slip in we are susceptible to go further down the abyss and can't make it out.

Ziff
Posted 11/25/2013 6:24 AM (GMT 0)
"don't be such a stranger".

Oh I am always here lurking and watching (cue image of zombie hiding in the shadows).

I will occassionally jump out.

boo!

-k

Lungie: It took me 4 years to go from MELD 22 to 10. A bit of jumping around but mostly a steady progression down. Meds for liver have been diaretics, beta-blocker, folic acid, magnesium and vitamins. I also have to take a weekly antibiotic to prevent SPB (sudden bacterial peritonitis) from reoccuring. I also take other drugs to treat side effects. Interesting you are on iron, I am specifically forbidden it as a suppliment as it can cause damage in diseased livers.
Posted 11/25/2013 1:26 PM (GMT 0)
       "If I don't stay busy doin something I will fall asleep."

 

Thanks for this ... same thing happening to me ... driving me crazy (er).  It's hard to do projects when you're so tired, but resting doesn't help much.

 

Posted 11/25/2013 3:18 PM (GMT 0)
Kierstin, That's good to know your around. Zombie or not you know your very welcome to join in a conversation anytime. When I came here I watched from the shadows quite a bit. Never joined a internet chat site until this one. I've come to see most of the veterans here as family even though we are far apart. Just like my real family, We get into difference of opinion but doesn't mean we don't care for each other. Each one of us bring something unique to the table but with the same goal always in mind.

Jump in when you feel like it and say Boooo!!! We haven't had a zombie yet but there have been some certainly different people. As I sit here writing this a memory of one person obsessed with enemas come to mind. Ya know, From my personal perspective I'll take walking dead folks over a coffee enema any day.

Deb, The sleep issue has never dissipated. One of the first sign's I had prior to hospitalization was fighting off sleep at idle times. I was a overhead crane technician/iron worker and did extensive traveling. I can't remember how many times I dosed off at the wheel hitting the shoulder of the road. As long as I was on the steel or working I had no problems other than feeling tired. A bad combination at any rate in my profession. I take vitamin B-Complex and I can see a difference with feeling less tired. I think it takes awhile to get into your system so if you try it don't expect results right away.


Ziff
Posted 11/25/2013 3:59 PM (GMT 0)
Ziff, I had the same problem before a recent hospitalization. It seems to have passed, the road fatigue, so I don't know if it's from quitting smoking (with a few slips) or maybe it was the antibiotic (some hidden malady).

I'm sure the vitamins are helping too, just a multi and C w/calcium but I'm much more alert whilst driving, and the town breathes a collective sigh of relief!

Mae
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