Mood swings / mood swings

[Courtney1410]

Hi I'm looking for advise. My husband was admitted to hospital back in December he was in for 5 weeks with liver failure, he has started to look and feel alot better but is still getting confusion (he is taking lactulose) also his mood swings are bad at times he has a couple of days where he is fantastic then he changes.

[Hidden]

Hi

That sounds like a typical reaction to suffering HE,

I had to take lactulose three times a day a full dose or I would slip into the symptoms

Refaxamin also put some control over the situation.

Talk to your consultant as seen, what he says

I know its an awful situation, for you

,

But when I was like that I just did not know

I hope the consultant suggest some treatment that can help

David

[Courtney1410 in reply to Hidden]

Thank you for your reply

My husband doesn't know and gets angry if I mention anything to do with confusion or his mood swings

We have spoken to the consultant and they said take more lactulose it's so hard not knowing what to do

[Hidden in reply to Courtney1410]

With me it was taking enough lactulose, if I dropped down the amount the confusion would start.

The refaxamin helped a lot as well, they need a little cajoling to prescribe it as I think its expensive

[Courtney1410 in reply to Hidden]

Thank you I'll speak to the doctor

[Brett11]

You need to get him on Refaxamin. That taken with lactulose is the main way to stop HE episodes. It’s nocked my bouts on the head.

Cheers,

Brett

[Courtney1410 in reply to Brett11]

Thank you

[Faithfull in reply to Brett11]

I thought it was me mental health getting more worse it was.I had server constipation on off on the movicol powder took me off lactaloze honestly it's like you can't explain its the toxin it makes me confused aggressive, it's trial and error until the balanced out

[Courtney1410 in reply to Faithfull]

Thank you hope you are getting sorted now?

[Faithfull in reply to Courtney1410]

No still in a state .hope you ok

[Nyork10]

Hi Courtney, rifaximin is very expensive to prescribe but the benefits your husband should get from this medication far outweighs the cost.

I work on the commissioning side of the NHS your CCG will have medication that they have approved - if this isn't on the list please in your area put your foot down and ask your consultant to prescribe this, your husband shouldn't suffer because of a postcode lottery - it should then be added to your husbands monthly prescription as a recurring order.

Hope this helps.

[Courtney1410 in reply to Nyork10]

Thank you so much off to the doctors tomorrow will check

[Courtney1410]

Thank you so much I'll speak to him

[squitten]

Courtney, hello there. Speaking from my own experience, i did some research on line with regard to probiotics as there have been trials done in India, China nd Australia i believe looking into HE being reduced by 40 per cent by using probiotics. A healthy gut it seems from the trials takes pressure off the liver and so reduces symptoms. The probiotics used in the trials were VSL 3 made by ferring. I did start out using VSL but as it is medical grade i found it rather expensive and switched to a good quality probiotic from Amazon. All i can say is that i feel heaps better and my mood has also improved. I also take vit B supplements from the doctor that are very important for depression, mood etc as a damaged liver can no longer make its own B vits. Maybe do some research into probiotics and cirrhosis and HE , and have a chat with the Doctor. A year ago i was in dire straights with a fibro scan score of 75plus, last week it was down to forty and i hope it will continue to reduce. Best wishes to you both, hang on in there, things do improve. 😃👍

[Hidden in reply to squitten]

Hi squitten,

Curious what you changed to, I'd like to ask my hubby's doctor if this might be of benefit for him.

Thank you,

Mary

[squitten in reply to Hidden]

Hi Mary, will pm you when I get home. Wow I hope you have this wonderful sunshine with you also!. X

[Boldad]

Get him off lactose. Get him to eat beets and anything green. No processed stuff. Also give him dark chocolate. He needs sunshine. Vit d wouldn't hurt. Stay strong. Boldad Linda

[Paulwil]

I totally agree with comments about rifaxamin. I had HE after a GI Bleed. I was prescribed it on discharge from hospital together with lactulose. I did not suffer from HE at all afterwards.

[Courtney1410]

Thank you so much for all your advise we are off to see the doctor tomorrow so will ask about everything

[Smyally]

Definately sounds like HE. Like others have said lactose and rifaximin definitely help. I didn’t know what I was saying and was very confused during my worst spells and my words were very slurry. Now I rely on other people to tell me if I’m showing any signs of it and except what people say rather than argue with them. If I do show any signs I let the doctor know and take a little extra lactose until my mind feels clearer. I hope you get the answers you need today

[Felines]

Hi there Courtney,I know exactly what the symptoms are from.Encelopothy...awful side effect of liver disease....I have had this many many times and have been hospitalised.Total confusion,argumentative,angry,nice,tremors,cannot speak properly sleep a lot...mine was so bad on three occasions I lost control of my bodily functions....I so empathise.Lactulose take it three times a day....any infection get treated soon as possible infection can cause it.....try and avoid any ammonia build up this my consultant advised contributes to it.Dont get constipated if after lactulose bowels still not opening regular seek urgent medical advice...never be afraid to telephone your consultants secretary..I have done a number of times....rifaximin I have never had dealings with but I know from this site it helps....remember if enceolopothy is really bad you should dial 999..I was advised this by my consultant as to keep an eye on what blood is doing..it seems a lot to remember but it is,nt!! I wish you well and you are in my prayers same as everyone on this site.Follow a low fat diet lots of spinach avoid red meat also....a lot of foods the liver has trouble processing.Take care.Felines 17

[Courtney1410]

Hi thank you everyone for your replies. My husband started rifaximin yesterday could you please let me know how you were when you started it

[Paulwil in reply to Courtney1410]

Hi Courtney,

I was in hospital after having a large GI bleed. I was completely confused, did not know where I was. 2 days later I was completely lucid. I was taking rifaxamin and lactulose afterwards and I had no recurrence at all.

I hope it goes okay.

Best wishes

Paul