Mild confusion

[Teds123]

Does anyone else here have experience with having general mild confusion from esld pretty much every day....

[Barnetaccounts]

Teds,

I am no doctor but that sounds like you could have mild hepatic encalopathy. This is a build up of toxins that a healthy liver can normally deal with quite easily but a damaged liver can struggle. One of the major things our bodies produce naturally is ammonia and ordinarily our livers get rid of it without any issue. If the liver is not functioning correctly this can accumulate and spread through our bloodstream into our brain. At this stage you must address this quickly, your hepatologist will do some very basic tests and then send you for a brain scan. Once diagnosed you will be given medication to control the symptoms. I am on Lactolose and Rifaxamin and have not suffered any episodes since I got the final diagnosis. The only pain in the a***, is my GP refuses to prescribe the Rifaxamin As it is very expensive about £300+ per box and it is hospital prescribed only. It’s only a minor inconvenience as I’m a regular visitor and they give me 6 months supply at a time.

[readie56]

On occasions I do.

My confusion seems to be expedential to my sodium levels. At 118 I fell over literally and at 132- 134 I feel my mind is clear... although some would disagree about that haha.

Get your ammonia level checked Ted's and a brain function test then you'll know for sure.

Best wishes

John

[mncold in reply to readie56]

readie56,

Hi, I'm am curious about your confusion being tied to a low sodium level. My husband has liver disease and is on lactalose.

Best wishes to you,

Mary

[readie56 in reply to mncold]

Hi Mary

My sodium went down to 118 and my mind was a blank, I fell over in hospital and 5 weeks later I was discharged.

All very odd as my ammonia level was (and still is within the normal range), the brain function test was inconclusive and the consultant put it down to sodium without know really why....

My sodium is now 132-135 and I generally feel my mind is clear.

I have to really watch my salt intake and how much liquid I drink. No alcohol for years just water and coke. Max 2 litres a day if it's really hot.

Hope this helps

Best wishes

John

[mncold in reply to readie56]

Hi John,

Thank you for your reply, it does help as it gives me something else to pay attention to. My husband has been using a salt substitute and takes potassium, and he hasn't had any recent blood tests, so I think based on your experience I'll have him get one. He does take lactalose to help keep confusion away, I just have to remind him to eat so there is something there for the lactalose to work with LOL.

Thank you again and best wishes to you

Mary

[readie56 in reply to mncold]

Good luck and best wishes

John

[readie56 in reply to mncold]

Mary

Please get regular blood tests for your husband. The sodium levels amongst others are critical for well being as the body struggles with liver problems

Best wishes

John

[mncold in reply to readie56]

John

Thank you, I will make sure I set up regular blood tests for him.

Best wishes to you too,

Mary

[Gemma68]

So are we meant to stay away from salt as much as possible? Or is there an amount to try and have daily?

[readie56 in reply to Gemma68]

Good question.

Sodium is needed for health and I've been advised to keep salt intake down to 3 grams a day.

It hasn't made any difference that I can see other than me making a lifestyle choice

Best wishes

John