HealingWell
Search Close Search
☰

New Poster

Support Forums
>
Hepatitis
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply
❬ ❬ Previous Thread |Next Thread ❭ ❭
Posted 5/3/2011 8:41 PM (GMT 0)
Hi all! My mother has been a extremely heavy drinker for 30 years and just two weeks ago she was admitted into ICU because of a GI bleed and gastritis.  She was released and with in two days she was readmitted.  The second time she was admittted the docotrs said her ammonia level was at 77 and she also had her belly drained of fluids.  She has now been home for two days and she seems to forget where she is or who any of her daughters are.  she has just moved here from out of state and never told me she had this serious of heath problems.  My question is where should I start with her, doctor wise?? GI doctor or what?  The ER prescribed her lactalose and 5 other medications too.

I would appreciate all the help i can get,

Thanks!!

Post Edited By Moderator (hep93) : 5/3/2011 3:38:30 PM (GMT-6)

Posted 5/3/2011 8:51 PM (GMT 0)
Hi, mommasgirl, and welcome to the forum!  Your mom's high ammonia is causing hepatic encephalopathy, which in turn causes confusion, forgetfulness, and sometimes hallucinations.  The Lactulose should help with that.  I assume that she was also prescribed diuretics (Lasix and Aldactone?) to help with the ascites (fluid in the belly.) 

It would be best to get a referral to a hepatologist (liver specialist) for her, as GPs and even GI docs are not really knowledgeable about liver disease.  Meanwhile, keep her on a low-sodium diet with NO alcohol and no beef.  Increase fresh fruits and veggies, as well as whole grains, and pure water and tea.  It is MOST important that she not drink alcohol, even if it means going to detox.  She would also benefit from AA meetings.

I also suggest you read the information in the folder at the top of the page entitled Hepatitis Resources, which is about liver disease in general.  You will learn a lot by reading it.

Hugs,

Connie

Posted 5/3/2011 8:58 PM (GMT 0)
My mothers last drink was April 18 and she has not drank since then. She just really having problems with confusion. For Example, Today she walked out the back door of her house and closed the door and when she went back in she got confused and walked to the neighbors house and said she was locked out. she is home all day with my brother in law and she says that she is scared to death to drink. She is also on the lasix too. Thanks so much for the advice.
Posted 5/3/2011 9:20 PM (GMT 0)

That's good that she was "scared sober."  Staying stopped, for someone who has been drinking heavily for 30 yrs., is another matter.  And I say this as a long-time sober alcoholic.

Is she taking the Lactulose now?  It may need to be increased, which can be done without a doctor's approval.  If your brother-in-law is handling her meds, he can do this.  If directions are for 3 x a day, he can give it 4x.  It can be adjusted.

I hope she gets under the care of a GI or (preferably) a Hepatologist soon.

Hugs,

Connie


Posted 5/4/2011 1:32 AM (GMT 0)
Mommasgirl,

Ditto everything Connie just said. She has given very good information. Your mother needs to absolutely abstain from alcohol, and I agree, she needs to get some help by way of AA, etc.

I mainly just wanted to welcome you here to the forum. We are a community of very knowledgable, supportive individuals, both caregivers like myself and patients. I am sorry you are experiencing this, but am glad you have found us!

Mer
Posted 5/4/2011 5:52 PM (GMT 0)
Today my mom is having a tough day. I'm kinda fighting the urg to take her back to the hospital again. Should I take her back again if she's confused and making up crazy stories or should I wait and see what happens? She's also stumbling around when she does get up.
Posted 5/4/2011 6:14 PM (GMT 0)

Has her Lactulose been increased as suggested?  If not, it should be.  Then, if she shows no improvement, take her to the hospital.

Hugs,

Connie

Posted 5/4/2011 6:14 PM (GMT 0)
I would take her...it's difficult to deal with alone...
Posted 6/20/2011 6:59 PM (GMT 0)
Just a quick note to everyone...my mom has been clean since 4/19/11 and we have all her medicines figured out and shes doing great! Her swollen belly has gone down alot and she hasnt had any hospital trips since APRIL! YAY!! Thank you everyone for all the advice and i know we are not totally in the clear but we are good for now. Thanks!!
Posted 6/20/2011 10:27 PM (GMT 0)

Mama's girl, thanks for checking in with us--and with good news, too!  I am thrilled that she is still sober.  Has her confusion cleared up?  It could be that she stopped drinking before doing irreparable damage.  Did anyone mention cirrhosis in her case?  If she doesn't have it, she has a good chance of returning to good health if she abstains from alcohol and eats a very healthful diet, low in sodium.

Hugs,

Connie

Posted 6/21/2011 3:33 AM (GMT 0)
Most of the doctors that she has seen have said that they think she is into the cirrhosis stage. She hasn't had any confusion and I gave her a Calender to keep tack of her weight everyday and bowels. She's had some problems with her feet swelling so I have her lay for 50 mins and up for ten. That's realty when its bad. We live in Baltimore and I could only find three hepatologist at john Hopkins (good luck getting her in.....months wait, no insurance ) we are waiting for her medical insurance to kick in so in the meantime I got her in a GI doc. He wants to wait to do the biopsy because she has to get BW done first. She's been paying everything out of pocket and the bill are starting to pile up. But for now all the docs are very impressed with her progress. Its cool to have my sober mom back. :)
Posted 6/21/2011 4:00 AM (GMT 0)

There are different grades and stages of cirrhosis, so hopefully it isn't a 4 yet.  Diuretics and a low-sodium diet should help some with the edema.  It sounds like you are doing the right things and progress is being made.  I'll bet that if her insurance comes through, miraculously (ha!) an opening will be had at Johns Hopkins...although I know they are among the best and doubtless have a long waiting list.  I've been seeing my hep doc at Mayo for 5 yrs. and she is generally booked up months in advanced.  However, if there is an emergency (such as my recent recurrence of HCC and decision to evaluate for transplant) she seems to find an opening for me.

Hang in there!

Hugs,

Connie

✚ New Topic ✚ Reply