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Posted 3/7/2007 1:40 AM (GMT 0)
what can i do

my mom doesnt have cancer but something is wrong with her. The reason why I say this is her ammonia levels are 136 and she was diagnosed with end stage liver disease 4 years ago I went to her appoitment last week. The doctor said alot of the time when the ammonia levels are that high alot of the times it means liver cancer. They did blood work and a ultra sound last thursday her cancer level is a 7 its supposed to be a 5 due to the cirrosis. So she has a large spleen and its eatingall her white cells she at about 2000 a week ago. Her kidneys shut down on her two months due to her vankimyicin which is used to treat her staph infection call mrsa. she was intensive care for 4 days. So what im wondering is what did the dotcor mean by alot of the times. is there something else that can cause the levels to raise that high. doctor said that people who have esld only experience levels  up in the 50s. She now taking 120mlt lactose a day she was on 180 mly a day but her liver specialist said that was to much. she is also now taking neomyicin for it as well cause that lactalose is failing to work but its to risky to take her off it. I dont know whats wrong with her but something is. i know her liver is failing but her ammonia levels 136 when technically its supposed to be in the 50s as somebody eho has esld weth regular hep c they tend to stay in the low 30s. so what si causing this do i need a second opinion?

 

Posted 3/7/2007 4:03 AM (GMT 0)
Dear Mommyangel, So sorry to hear about your mom. I can tell you what I have been told by my husbands liver transplants doctors concerning high amonia levels. Normal is around 30. At 136 that's very high. An ESLD patient can not process protein very well. But they need protein so as not to lose all their muscle tone. In paticular red meat is very hard for a bad liver to process. My husband takes lactalose and Xiafan to keep his amonia levels under control. And he stopped eating red meat. Beans and nuts are the easiest to process. It's been working since Dec. An abdominal CT scan with contrast should be done to find out if there is cancer or not. It's a pretty acurate test. By all means if you have unanswered questions get a second opinion. Good Luck .........My thoughts and prayers will be with you and your mom. Pink Grandma
Posted 3/7/2007 5:14 AM (GMT 0)
Hi, Mommyangel. I also think that an abdominal CT scan is in order. However, I have liver cancer and my ammonia levels have never been high. In fact, my liver function is pretty good--so much so that I haven't qualified for a transplant.
Get a second opinion if the current doctor is not answering your questions to your satisfaction.

Peace and prayers,
Connie
Posted 3/11/2007 1:05 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Mommyangel,

It was nice to chat with you earlier. I hope your mom is not suffering too much and you are feeling better.

It is very worrying and scary to see someone we love suffering and not being able to help. When I was in liver failure in 2004 one of my sons used to sit beside me jsut holding my hand. His girlfriend, now is wife and mother of my first grandchild, Leila, would hold the other hand. My younger son and his wife couldn't cope with my illness and acted as though I was well. Sometimes he would ask my husband "How's mum?" but never a question to me. I think he was frightened and if he didn't accept I was sick, it would go away. My husband was very supportive. I know how much your mom would be appreciating you right now as this is something I have been through.

Once she has the ct scan you should have more idea of the next step. Don't let the doctors put you off. If you have questions, write them down and take the list with you. Don't leave until you are satisfied and understand what they are saying. Write down the answers so you can research further. If you are still disatisfied with the treatment ask for a referral to a different doctor. It is your right to good medical assistance. I have read many Forum members posts relating stories of disatisfaction with medical staff. You need a doctor you can talk too and feel comfortable with as well as one who is good in their respective field.

Your mom is very fortunate to have you. I know she is appreciating you. Be comforted by the fact you are doing all you can for her.

Take care. Hope we can chat again.
Marg
Posted 3/12/2007 3:53 PM (GMT 0)

Hey margi :-)   Thanks for taking the time to chat with me. Its taken alot for me to except becuase she has had it my whole life. I do feel a little better i know that at this point theres probabaly nothin that they can do for her. And that this is in gods hands not mine. Ya know, she is ok with it though. I think she is like that because of me. I need to be strong and pray for her. Not the other way around. I know it isnt  much but i just want to say thank you. I can see that you have a lot of stregnth.  And the  world is a better place because of people like you. I'm not crying anymore. Im having better days and I feels as good as i will let myself which isnt tooo hard. So thank you again I'm going to get my kid up so have a wonderful day.

tongue  Autumn,

 yeah my name on the computer is mom my angel so it looks like mommyangel lol it works

Posted 3/14/2007 9:07 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Autumn,

What a lovely name. moms are angels. i know mine was. Unfortunately we often don't appreciate them until it's too late.

Take care.
Marg
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