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H2princess likely needs TIPS...and information...

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Posted 10/4/2014 3:26 PM (GMT 0)
I am considering a tips procedure..... I have a fatty cirrhotic liver, never drank alcohol, never. I have ascites and usually go for parasenthis every 2 weeks (can make it 3 weeks if I'm lucky). Been reading about tips and side effects etc. my question for one I after tips procedure to you have to take lactulose afterwards and will you for the rest of your life??? My meld score is only 8 so not sick enough for transplant. Any advise you be truly appreciated. Thanks for listening. :-))) H2Princess

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Mama Lama
Posted 10/4/2014 6:39 PM (GMT 0)
H2,
Welcome to the Hep forum, H2. I see you posted to Keith's thread from March. A lot of good info about TIPS experience from those with TIPS, and those who love them.

Themister is my husband. There are two meds normally given to people with a TIPS. These are taken in combination. Xifaxan, an antibiotic, and lactulose, a laxative. I know everyone is has their own experience with TIPS, but our experience is Xifaxan and Lactulose are part of themister's daily medication routine, if he wants to stay out of the ER.

If themister is stable, which he is right now, he takes lactulose 4 times per day at 30ml each time. If he mentally starts drifting, we increase the lactulose until he mentally clears. Often, he has no idea he is drifting, or totally, mentally incapable, unless he can't make coffee, or put a battery in a computer mouse, or hallucinates. Then he can tell, but then it is pretty late. He can't work, but he was not able to prior to TIPS.

It seems common the order post TIPS is lactulose at twice per day at about 15ml each dose. Seems most are not RX'd Xifaxan (550mg twice per day) right away. Then when things go haywire, which they do with many, nobody knows to increase the lactulose as needed. (Can not overdose on it) Folks with TIPS can wind up in an ER, hospitalized for days due to HE. I don't know anyone with TIPS that does not take Lactulose or/and Xifaxan.

You may be evaluated for a transplant after TIPS, even with a low MELD. Welcome ! Big Hugs
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