Need Help

Lost Wife, I'm so sorry. Is hubby taking Lactulose? If so, his dosage or frequency may need to be increased. You do not have to get the okay from his doc on this. Just do it. Also, he may need to add Xifaxan if he is not taking this med. When he went to the hospital last time, did they not know that he has hepatic encephalopathy (HE?)

If increased meds don't help, call 911 and make it very clear that he has ESLD and HE. Is Hospice involved? I know they give respite care.


Hugs,
Connie

LW.


"The doctor checked his ammonia level and it was good."

the ER docs?

Is he being seen by a Hepatologist? Do you have any relationship with the staff at the Hep's office?

The symptoms your hubby has are quite typical and help is out there.

Is he drinking alcohol or taking drugs in additon to being ill?

Maybe hubby needs psych meds to calm him down to where they can treat him.

One of our posters reported similar "abnormal" behaviors and reported there were guns in the house. Are you safe?

You aren't letting him drive are you? He could be a bit "abnormal" behind the wheel also. And if he won't let you drive, at least don't drive with him. We got Mike's doc to tell him no driving until after transplant...so forever basically untill or unless a transplant came through (which it did in his case).

Remind me, is he a transplant candidate?

Here in Florida they keep a person who is a danger to himself or others for longer than a few hours on a psych floor. There is such a thin line between abuse and "saving" a person who has gone over the edge.

Again...are YOU safe? Get safe. Then TRY again to get help for your man.

PS There is an oral med for heptatic encephalopathy called xifaxan. Generally it is taken with lactuose. I wish he would agree to be compliant....he'd feel better and YOU would be more safe.

Hugs,

Carol

This post just makes me so sad. I've acted really oddly and had great confusion/paranoia even when my ammonia isn't high. Also been hospitalized. Once I get stabilized (I'm now on lactulose and Xifaxin) my instinct is that it's exhaustion from being ill and the brain just never getting any rest, but bizarre behaviour can also just be from being dehydrated and having an electrolyte imbalance.
We've had to be extremely strong minded with E.R. personnel about what is going on and sometimes we just don't win with them. We're in a very small community and the other doctors can be convinced to wait and talk to her now, instead of trying to figure things out. It just works better for all concerned.
I don't understand why they can't listen to caregivers more and give some weight to their knowledge. As to the police, shame on them - if he's that ill I doubt he's much threat to them. No wonder he doesn't want to go in!!
It's sad that he won't take lactulose or Xifaxin - I can't tell you how relieved I am once my head is cleared again. Paranoia is much tougher on me than confusion.
I sincerely hope things can turn around for both of you.

Such good news. Hopefully he'll begin to feel better when his head clears. Glad you didn't have to call the police this time. Then maybe you can get some rest, too.