Lactulose Sickness ?: Hi. Just wondered... - British Liver Trust

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Lactulose Sickness ?

h0b0 profile image
h0b0
23 Replies

Hi. Just wondered if anyone else has started being sick after taking lactulose. Terry has been taking it for months but lately even after a small sip he starts retching & then is sick. He also takes Laxido so am wondering if he could leave the Lactulose for a while.

Any help is much appreciated.xx

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23 Replies
LAJ123 profile image
LAJ123

Don't stop the lactulose. Its not just a laxative. In conjunction with Rifaxamin its really important in reducing the chances of hepatic encephalopathy occurring. Get in touch with the transplant team and ask for advice. Nausea is a common symptom of liver failure and maybe a simple anti emetic prescription will help.

in reply toLAJ123

Also you have to understand how Lactulose works to make the decision of taking it or not. Because if your constipated then you have a back of toxins hence encepholepsy occurs Right? ❣🇨🇦

LAJ123 profile image
LAJ123

I can't stand the taste of lactulose and would immediately follow it with the prescribed protein drink. Jim

h0b0 profile image
h0b0 in reply toLAJ123

Worth a try. Thought maybe try adding to yoghurt.

angse profile image
angse

Hi oh yes I have the same problem to be honest lately been having small amount of food then taking lactose and quite a bit better, only thing that worries me is I gave run out of fixation wrong spelling anyway can't get them until Monday been without for 2 days Annette oh hobo try what I have done if it doesn't work definitely liver center

h0b0 profile image
h0b0 in reply toangse

thanks Annette.xx

rallyman1 profile image
rallyman1

MY Father Took Lactulose when he was with us passed away some years ago but the GP stopped prescribing that do to a health problem national, please correct me if I am wrong

h0b0 profile image
h0b0 in reply torallyman1

Don't know anything about that I'm afraid. My partner has only been taking it past 9 months.

Peterjan profile image
Peterjan

My Peterjan kind of being sick he coughs a lot and then starts tot ry be sick but it's just clear stick liquid that comes up even if hehasjust eaten no explinationcfrom Docs or hospital bit worrying

jules45 profile image
jules45

Hi, I stopped taking lactulose as it made me really queasy. My stomach made dreadful gurgling noises as well. I imagine not everyone can tolerate it and I use a different laxative now. Told my hepatologist before stopping it so he was aware of why and he didn't seem surprised. Best wishes to you both

Julie

h0b0 profile image
h0b0 in reply tojules45

I have been told lactulose is very important for controlling H.E. We are seeing consultant at Leeds nxt Monday so will seek advice.

Thanks for your concern Julie.xx

jules45 profile image
jules45 in reply toh0b0

Hi again, yes it is very important for HE that's why I consulted with my specialist before I stopped it. Good luck for next Monday. Will think of you both

Julie xxx

h0b0 profile image
h0b0 in reply tojules45

Thanks Julie.xx

Emmabskin profile image
Emmabskin in reply tojules45

Hi,

Lactulose is disgusting stuff and doesn't work well for some people. Anytime I mentioned to a nurse or Dr. that my mother was taking it they would comment how vicious it was and put her on something else. I've always suffered with constipation for as long as I can remember. I've at last found something which is reasonably comfortable to take, not too much trapped wind etc, and works. It's a combination of Laxido and good old Senna. You have to try and find how much you need. I can now just take a Senna at night but as soon as I miss a day I take Laxido again until I'm back to my norm times. I hope this is of some help.

Emma

Yes I believe last year I was on two Tbspn of lactulose twice a day. My son was on it when he was nine years old snd refused to take it anymore. He couldn't even go to school because it would cause him to have so much gas and when he pass the gas little bit of diarreah would come out as well. He was on it for a rare blood disorder. I was on it to control encepholepsy and constipation from my hep-c. That stuff is disgusting and I decided to drink flax tea and pure senna leaves. It did the same like lactulose but without that embarrasing flatulence!!!! Also it was tasty to have herbal teas without the cramping that goes with it. I myself will never take lactulose again! Senna pods, flax and real black licit ice gets the same effects. I hope that helps you dear, I love doing things naturally. Not only that if you go on the link of the Mayo clinic; it will tell you all the different interactions from the health food perspective and the pharmaceutical companies.❣🇨🇦

h0b0 profile image
h0b0 in reply to

Thanks for the info.xx

JackMcG profile image
JackMcG

I have noticed when I take lactulose, my stomach rumbles terrible and the morning after taking it I can't stop myself from retching really heavily. I don't know if the two things are connected, but they certainly seem to be. I was told by my doctor to take lactulose at night an hour before bedtime. If I do this I always retch the following morning. I never vomit. But the retching is really severe, causes me to see stars. I bring up what looks like bile. It's horrible and feels like I'm actually going to vomit my stomach inside out.

I've found it does what it's supposed to do very effectively but the side effects are unpleasant to put it mildly. My doctor said it would be very gentle. That has not been my experience.

I hope you can resolve this issue, or find a different medication that is suitable.

dckimberly profile image
dckimberly in reply toJackMcG

I've had the same issues, unfortunately. I think some peoples tummys just take it easier. I also think with all the meds I take, its no wonder.

But yes, I absolutely was told the same thing and have had the same reaction to it. But the retching has never been over the top for me.

I think that taste is really bad..too sweet.ugh

h0b0 profile image
h0b0

Thanks. He had been taking it for months without any difficulty. Now I dilute in water or juice & he seems to be able to keep it down.xx

dckimberly profile image
dckimberly

just seeing this.

I had mass ascites prior to transplant and I have it now also. I was on Lactulouse for 4 years altogether. Now I take it whenever, quite honestly, I need to go to the bathroom.

But I can remember a time when I took it and yes, it made me want to retch, and I did throw up once.

It is extremely sickeningly sweet. And it can and does effect the tummy. I had the gurgling noises and I aso had a tummy that would get pretty upset if I took just a tiny bit too much. I'd be in the bathroom for two days, before it came out of my belly. Although I had no symptoms of HE, it certainly was prescribed for that, that and going to the bathroom (this is in my case)

For me, and this is JUST me, I think because I knew it was going to make my tummy upset, the idea if it made me gag for a period..and I still have these days.

Im not sure if mixing medicine has anything to do with it..but it certainly sounds reasonable.

Def. mention to your consultant, or call and ask, in case they can do something else for him.

Sorry if this has already been resolved and I missed that part!

Cheering you on!

h0b0 profile image
h0b0

Thanks. He now takes it diluted in water & seems to be working. Also on different anti sickness meds so they must be helping.xx

I know that the notes tell us we can take it with juice or water so I used to pour the 30mls into a small glass of weak juice, till the coordinator told me I had to take it neat.

I don't need it anymore but it did make me heave. 😰

Hubby is having the same issue with lactose now. He is in hospital again having another drain (still a complete nightmare getting him in but u get use to that after a while) anyway we spoke to the nurse and doc about him feeling sick with lactose. They said that sometimes people can just develop and allergy to it apparently but they don't want to change it until they are sure. Xx

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