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amonia level infomation please

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Posted 8/30/2007 2:00 AM (GMT 0)

Hello all

I just came across this website and hope that you can help me. I am computer illiterate so bear with me.

 My husband age 77 totally lost his memory 3 weeks ago. The sharp ER doctor ran a amonia level and it was over 100. He was admitted to the hospital and started on Lactolose. His levels gradually came down to normal about 40 and his memory returned just fine. They can find NO problems with his Liver. His Enzymes are just fine and they also did a Ultra sound that was perfectly normal. My Husband has a very complicated medical history and is in end stage renal failure..but NOT on dialysis as yet as his kidneys are still functioning at a level that does not require it as yet.. but is is certainly in the future. His Creatinine is actually  better than it was at a 2.7 down from 3.7. He is severely anemic  due to the kidney failure and required 2 units of blood while in the hospital. He is Diabetic with Heart disease and Hypertension.On top of this he had fractured his ankle 7 weeks before the memory loss. He became so weak after 13 days in the hospital that he had to go to re-hab before he can come home. He is at re-hab now and doing very well and hopefully will be strong enough to return home next week.

 Since he has been at rehab for one week they have run one blood test for his amonia level and will repeat one next Monday. The test done last Friday came back with a level of 85. This scares the heck out of me since we still have no cause for the high level. I am afraid that he may lose his memory again. He is still on the Lactolose 3X a day and goes to the bathroom aboutn 2-3 X a day. Has anyone hear of high amonia levels without liver disease. The Nephrologist says the kidney disease is not responsiblle since the amomiia is cleared through the Liver. The Liver doctor says his Liver is normal, the Neurologist says hiis memory issues (CAT and MRI of brain were normal) were from the amonia..so where do we go from here..HELP!!

Maxximom

Posted 8/30/2007 2:12 AM (GMT 0)
Welcome maxximom, Someone posted that kidney disease can also cause ammonia levels to rise. I couldn't remember who or when it was posted so I just googled amonia levels and on the 2nd site listed it did say that high ammonia levels in adults can be caused by liver and kidney disease. Google it and see what you can find out. Have a good evening :-) Pink Grandma
Posted 8/30/2007 2:58 AM (GMT 0)
Thank you Pink Grandma for your quick reply. I to searched and read that Kidney disease can effect the ammonia levels. My very conservative Nephrologist denies this. hates the fact that I like to research things on the computer and advocate for my husband all the time..sigh

Posted 8/30/2007 4:21 AM (GMT 0)
Yeap, some doctors hate when they are questioned. You just keep on on advocating for your husband. If you have to step on toes to get things done do so. I can not stress enough the importance of staying on top of the doctors. They are not perfect nor are they God as some of them seem to think they are. Get a second opinion. Keep rattling cages until you get someone's attention. Don't let them blow you off like you don't know anything. Sorry, here I go again. I get kind of worked up when I hear about doctors not listening and blowing people off.
Check on the healingwell kidney site and find out if anyone knows about high ammonia levels there. Maybe they can give you more ideas.
:-) Pink Grandma
Posted 9/17/2007 12:38 PM (GMT 0)
Welcome Maxximom, I too am new to this forum, but not new to renal failure. My daughter is in reanal failure and has been since 2000, We found out about her condition when she got pregnant. Stephanie was diagnosed with FSG, and are still trying to find out what causes it. Ammonia levels can sky rocket in reals failure, also can the potassium levels. As it did in 2002 and she was going into cardiac arrest. They had to preform emergency dialysis on her. Renal failure effects so many things in a persons body. We are truely blessed to have Dr. Satish Kumar as her nephriologist. He is in the top 3 of the united states also a professor. We have gone thru many things and my heart goes out to you. My daughter has been on dialysis for a couple of years now. In 2001 I gave one of my kidneys, it did ok for awhile but her body was still rejecting it. Stephanie is 27 now and we are blessed to have our granddaughter, she is 5 and doing great I might add. Looking up things on the internet has helped me greatly, I encourage you to keep looking, one never knows what they can come across. I'm sorry your doctor dosen't feel that way. I agree with Pink Grandma, keep rattling those cages and ask any question you can think of, there is never such thing as a stupid question. You might want to look into seeing another specialist. In my daughters case, well.... she says she is living on borrowed time. I refuse to accept that fact, I look to the possive, always have, always will. I wishyou the best of luck and please keep us informed.

Posted 9/17/2007 4:14 PM (GMT 0)

Thank you Genera, for your reply to my post. I am so sorry to hear that such a young women as your daughter has gone through so much. It is wonderful that you are so optomistic and are there to advocate for her. I know the joy that Grandchildren can bring. We moved here to Ohio when my daughter relocated with her husband for hiis "dream job" and my Granddaughter was 14 months old and my Grandson was about to be born. Those babies were not about to be raised without Grandma and Grandpa nearby. Other than the health issues..it was a wonderful move annd each day is joyful when I see them.

  Since we live in Columbus..we drove up to Cleveland Clinic to get another opinion on my husbands renal failure and they did concur as to the way he was being managed by the nephrolgist here. That was before my husbands bout with the hyperammonia. No one feels that he fits in with their specialty at this point. Nephrology says that the high ammonia level was NOT related to the kidney failure (I know better and have locked horns over this point) Hemotology says..not their problem and his anemia is better since he had 2 units of blood..Neurology..says the ammonia level wasn't that high and he blames any problem my husband has on his severe orthostasis. We have a appointment with a "liver" specialist..by not until December 7th.All the enzymes and the ultra sound were negative..but since they say the liver clears the ammonia from the blood..there must be something wrong with it that hasn't shown up and they need to look further.

  I am so glad that you responded to me and have told me that your daughters Renal failure HAS resulted in high ammonia levels..I needed to hear that this really can happen.

    My husbands Potassium levels have been fine and his Creatinnine has actually gone down in the last few weeks..he usally runs about3.4-3.7 and it was 2.7-2.9..go figure. We know that he will eventually have to go on dialysis..but the longer we can put it off the better..although I have a feeling that he may feel better when he finally does get on itt. He sleep a lot..some from medication, some from the kidney failure,anemia and some from depression and bordom..but if he sits down to read or watch TV he falls asleep...it is almost like narcoplexy..Saturday he fell asleep with people in the room..the doctors have totally ignored this..I have brought it up at every appointment..and it is always brushed under the rug.

 How wonderful that you were able to give your daughter one of your Kidneys. It is sad that she is rejecting it..but you tried! You sound like a wonderful Mother and Grandmother. I wish you and Stephanie all the best and my prayers are with you.Please keep your positive attitude

 Joan

Posted 9/18/2007 11:03 PM (GMT 0)
Hi, Joan, and welcome! I just wanted to add that liver disease does cause severe fatigue and excess sleeping. Is it possible to get a sooner appt. with a different hepatologist?

Connie
Posted 9/19/2007 12:35 AM (GMT 0)
Thanks Connie for your reply. So far Allan has not had any diagnosis of Liver disease. We are on the cancellation list of the Liver specialist here in Columbus..so I am hoping we can see him sooner..but don't bank on it. I still believe the problem is his kidney failure in combined with meds. He would sleep all day if I let him..that is part of the kidney failure and anemia that comes with it..he gets Procrirt shots every 2 weeks to help the abemia.
Thanks so much for you reply..it is so helpful to know that others out there care
. Joan
Posted 9/19/2007 3:30 AM (GMT 0)
Joan, I just think it's a good idea to positively rule out liver problems. However, I suspect you are right about his kidney disease causing the problems.

Best of luck!
Connie
Posted 9/19/2007 3:34 AM (GMT 0)
Connie
That is exactly what we have to do..although it makes me a bit nervous.. I think that if you keep looking you can always find something..especially at Allan's age....but you need to know :-(
Joan
Posted 10/17/2007 2:51 AM (GMT 0)
I need help. I do not understand about this amonia level thing. I had never heard of it until today. The clinic called and said I needed to go pick two prescriptions for this. I have no idea what it is nor why. Here is my problems: I do have cerosis of the liver, diabetes, asthma, high blood pressure, an irratic heartrate, sodium too low and now they say amonia level too high. My doctor has finally confirmed there is not much more they can do which I had already figured. The asthma really wrecked everything and now the diabetes isdestroyng everything. I had a hospital stay 3 months ago 3@1/2 days in intensive care. the doctors said they don't know why I am still alive. I am only 50 years old. But God has a reason. It was important enuf they prescribed two new prescriptions so I would like to know. Am to go tomorrow to get the new meds.... can someone help me understand???

Thanks, My name is Al
Posted 10/17/2007 3:06 AM (GMT 0)
Al, With cirrhosis the liver is unable to remove all toxins from your blood which causes your ammonia levels to rise and can cause memory loss, sleepiness, unusual behavior, among other things. The medicine the doctor prescribed you will help eliminate the toxins from your blood. It is really important that you take it. My husband has cirrhosis and takes Lactulose (Enulose) to keep his ammonia levels down. It makes a big difference. He is more himself. Read some of the other posts. There is a lot of information here regarding this issue among other things that may be helpful to you.
Posted 10/17/2007 3:49 AM (GMT 0)

Al, Where all your sypmtoms from one thing? Or are they seperate? That to me is alot to deal with! I guess I'm asking is because my son was 16. months old with AML Leaukemia! 16 yrs. old Chronic Hep B and now at 21 chirrhosis A-B. Your 50 and still here for a reason! Just like my Will! I've always told him, God,put you in my life a reason, I can tell you of 2 times We called in the family to say goodbye and 2 times within 12 hrs. he was running up the hall dragging his pole. Yes, God definatly has a reason for you both, It's the warmth of your person to touch others! Al, Take care and God Bless!

Thoughts and Prayers to All!

Toni

Posted 10/18/2007 1:05 AM (GMT 0)
Thanks to you all for a quick reply. Yes thisone looks serious. My doctor prescried lactulose.It has a refill so I dont know how long you take it. For my asthma I am on two inhalers atleast one if not both is steroids.. Thats nver good. That's when everything fell apart. Within 6 months I have gone down to nothng but problems. They also are scheduling a heart echo gram. my last EKG was not good theyve done 3 already. Chest x-rays twice, sonagram of my stomach. I have no appetite I have wasted away to nothing. Ive always been healthy all my life no its about gone. And I am so tired. I try to hang on for my sister and my little buddy who is schizaphrenic whom I have taken care of for 8 years now. Were it not for them I would just as soon go on. I dont have a good day anymore I stay so sick but I keep hanging in there. Thank you all and God Bless you.

AL
Posted 10/18/2007 1:15 AM (GMT 0)
Al, I am sorry that you are so sick. You sound like a very good person. You will probably always have to take the lactulose. I am glad you have people that are there for you. You will be in my prayers.
Posted 10/18/2007 2:11 AM (GMT 0)
Hello Al, So sorry that you are feeling so poorly. Yes you will have to take the lactalose from now on. It's nasty but if you take it as directed it should keep you ammonia levels under control. Maybe is time for your little buddy and your sister to take care of you.
Also please start a new thread so that everyone knows that we a have a new member. Let us know if you have a problem doing it so we can help. Try to take care of your self. My thoughts and prayers will be with you.
Posted 10/31/2007 10:04 PM (GMT 0)
Hi again, Im not having much luck navigating this site. I had a real hard time just finding my way back to here. Any help greatly appreciated.
I put in Amonia level in the search bar a nd get no reults. any help grateful. I still have further questions. but will glad start a new thread if I find out how. Thank you for the welcome.

AL
Macon, Georgia
Posted 10/31/2007 11:07 PM (GMT 0)
Al, It's been a while since you have been here.  I hope you are doing well. I wasn't really sure what you wanted to know about ammonia levels. If you have questions there are a lot of people here that are happy to help.

To start a new tread click "New Topic" and type in your commments or questions.  Hope to hear from you soon.
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