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...

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Simple question about H.E.

warwick68
warwick68
I apologize about a lengthy post I put up a bit ago about anxiety and H.E.

I guess the real question would be, Is there any order of symptoms?

I do not feel tired, lethargic, or fatigued. But I have been waking up feeling horrible. This is a new kind of horrible. A creepy toxic likie feeling that stays with me for about a half hour after I wake up. I am sure it is my adrenal glands.

Briefly I had just discontinued taking a muscle relaxer that I took for about a month. It has a list of mental withdrawal symptoms and I am feeling all of them. I also went though withdrawal from Xanax two years ago, and this feels a lot like the onset of that experience.

My prior lifestyle is what gives me great cause for concern.

Thanks in advance for any of your knowledge and wisdom.

Happy new year.
MLTTexas
MLTTexas
warwick, I hope someone replies to your 2 posts. Over the last few years, I have had Hep C, early Cirrhosis, a liver transplant, Hep C again in my second liver, treatments for the Hep C earlier this year which probably have cured the Hep C, but I may possibly have Cirrhosis again in my second liver. BUT I've never had HE, so I'm no help there. This group is very slow for some reason. I still go to the Hep C group which is very active, and many of the people there also have Cirrhosis, so I don't know why more of them don't also post here. I'll pray for you. Marilyn
warwick68
warwick68
Thank you Marilyn for responding. Wow. I guess I take my health for granted. I have put myself through a lot and do not want to do any more damage. Thanks for the prayers.

Warren.
Trissa01
Trissa01
From my observation, I'd say that not everyone experiences the symptoms in the same order or intensity. Clinically, the blood level of ammonia is diagnostic for HE with accompanying symptoms.
Many of us live in brain fog & decreasing cognitive function but still normal ammonia levels. Other toxins not being filtered by the liver contribute to impaired function, too.
I'll go check your other posts..do you know your level of fibrosis etc?
warwick68
warwick68
Thank you. I have not seen a doctor. I brought my concerns to the dr.s offince early in 2013. Simple blood tests showed everything inside the proper "window" so to speak. But that is no way of knowing anything. I have always felt that achy dullness down in that region.

Lots of acetaminophen and beer. Almost daily for about 10 years.

no tests what so ever.
turbohooligan
turbohooligan
Hi warwick68... I have Alcoholic Cirrhosis and am ESLD. I have started having encephalothopy since having a TIPS done in 02/14. I take Xifaxin which helps immensely.. My biggest issue is insomnia, word finding and awkward balance. MY Hepatologist told me I will have to live with this until transplant. God only knows when that will happen. In the region I live in your MELD has to be greater than 32. The highest I've gotten was 29 and was in the ICU for 9 days. I hope for everyone out there.. a feeling of peace. It is not easy to face this slow death. My heart goes out to all.
MLTTexas
MLTTexas
warwick, I suppose you know to stay away from beef. From everything I hear and read, beef is one cause of the amonia that causes HE. And many with HE have started taking coconut oil every day and say it helps with brain fog. I've also read that it does help with that and even alzheimers. Can't hurt to try.
Levicah
Levicah
How much coconut oil x daily?

Anythings got to be better than lactulose.
Trissa01
Trissa01
If you have not been diagnosed with HE and last exams were normal the only thing I can suggest is stop drinking, it seems to be making you paranoid.