
Cirrhosis Support Group
Cirrhosis is a consequence of chronic liver disease, most commonly caused by alcoholism and hepatitis C. Ascites is the most common complication of cirrhosis and is associated with a poor quality of life, increased risk of infections, and a poor long term outcome. Liver damage from cirrhosis cannot be reversed, but treatment can stop or delay further progression and...

deleted_user
I am new and don't know how to change what I posted about Lactulose. Sorry. I wanted to say that instead of Lactulose and Neomycin, many hepatologists and transplant centers are now finding that Rifaximin is helping more with elevated ammonias. I have been on Lactulose for 5 years and my ammonia stays around 137. It has gone up to 250ish and I felt like I was hanging upside down from a trapeze and making poor decisions but more lactulose and neomycin quickly cleared it up. I seem to function OK at the 130 level. Like all our other tests it seems to be just a number and affects people differently. I have had friends in comas at just 92. Take care!
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Pam
There is a good article about Hepatic Encephalopathy at: http://www.hcvadvocate.org/hepatitis/hepC/hepatic_encephalopathy.html
I doubt anyone would ever have any problems arising from taking the Lactulose itself since it is simply a laxative. It binds to the ammonia in our system and is then passed out through our stools. Lactulose *assures us* that we have enough stools each day to rid our bodies of the ammonia (since the liver can no longer filter it out). Hope that helped a bit more. I realized I didn't read your question right the first time. Off to take some more Lactulose myself! LOL
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