Hello - I haven't posted for a while because of HE. I'm from Canada, 56 yrs old female, Hep C since the '70's, cirrhosis since the '90's, just now experiencing HE and have had ongoing fatigue, one minor esophageal bleed, etc. Am recovering from a stay in hospital. My ammonia was in the '60's which is high for me, and presents with intense hallucinations, extreme sensitivity to people and noises, clumsiness, inability to form a sentence, and anxiety. They have me on a new drug regime including Lactulose, Motilium (stomach emptying drug) Oxazepam (preventative for anxiety) and Halo? (sleeping pill). Quite small doses of each of the last 2. Also Pantoloc (for nausea) as required. The whole episode is quite a blur to me which is a new thing, too. Always with less intense episodes I could remember everything that happened.
My GP (primary care dr), Gastro Enterologist/Hepatologist, Psychologist on staff at the liver clinic and even the Pharmacist all work as a team ... it helps so much in getting a treatment meant for the whole person not just the symptoms.
I'm going to the GP again in a couple of weeks for follow up ... but just wanted to know if anyone else has constipation even while on lactulose (30 ml 2 x daily)? My diet is still quite limited since my hospital stay and I'm trying to add healthier foods to it ... but my tummy just won't tolerate much yet. No whole grains. Tiny bits of white meat. Canned fruit, salad, bananas. Unsalted white crackers. I have an appointment with the dietician but not until the end of the month. Hopefully she can help me add healthier foods back into my diet. I do walk and do yoga.
The good news is that since I've been on this regime, my evenings are much much better. I stay in bed and sleep when the rest of the world is sleeping, which feels weird after years of prowling around in the wee morning hours. Earlier in the evening I may even get some chores done, which I haven't been able to do for 6 or 7 years. And that awful terrible pressure in the abdomen is greatly relieved in the evenings. I haven't needed a tylenol in weeks!!
Any thoughts about the constipation? Please don't tell me whole grains and healthier foods as my tummy just won't take them right now. I'm still on a very low protein, low volume diet -I can only tolerate one handful of food per sitting. Does anyone know if it's safe to take a different laxative?
I read with interest that post about lactulose increasing blood sugar levels in diabetics. I'm not diabetic but am certainly at risk as all my siblings and one of the my parents have had it. I know there are lactulose alternatives and my specialist will advise me of that when I see him in April. So, I'm also wondering what the risks are for lactulose and diabetes.
Thanks for listening.
I also wanted to thank everyone for their input on previous occasions.
Deb from Canada