Hepatic encephalopathy (caused by prescribed medication)

[Danielggffd]

I need advice. My mum has hepatic encephalopathy liver cirrhosis caused by a prescribed medication. She is now in hospital, alert but not mobile. She is taking lactalose. What else can be done and has anyone 75-80s year old recovered enough to go home?

[Danielggffd]

Also does my mum need an enema daily if on lactalose?

[Popel in reply to Danielggffd]

Hi there. As your probably aware lactulose is used to primarily to flush toxins out of the body before being absorbed by the body as the liver struggles to process them and people do find themselves having loose stools by taking lactulose.i know I did anyway and had never been told to take an enema by my consultant when prescribed it. Take care and wish you both well. Paul

[AyrshireK]

I am unsure of what you mean by the HE being caused by prescribed medication. Hepatic Encephalopathy is a side effect of advanced cirrhosis and is due to a build up of toxins which the damaged liver is no longer able to treat and remove from the body.

Treatments for Hepatic Encephalopathy is usually a combination of Lactulose and an antibiotic called Rifaximin. For more information on HE see:- britishlivertrust.org.uk/in...

It would depend on what other symptoms her liver disease is causing as to whether she might recover sufficiently to leave hospital. Whilst it is difficult to think that end of life might be near you might find good advice in the British Liver Trust guide on :- britishlivertrust.org.uk/in...

Best wishes,

Katie

[Peeps7]

Hi my husband has been hospitalised with HE three times this year, he has been on Lactulose and Rifaximin for approximately three years which have helped but now he has to have regular enemas administered by the District Nurse. However, he has ceased to respond to these and his HE is very much ongoing. It is a very sad ending to this filthy disease, I wish your Mum well, Anne x

[ThreeSmiles in reply to Peeps7]

Hi Peeps

WARNING - LOOK AWAY NOW IF YOU’RE EASILY OFFENDED 😑

I was prescribed these big enemas to self administer - not pleasant of course but you could keep on pumping it in - sorry

- TMD 🙁 - until you know it’s having the desired effect. Nasty but effective..... Go for it!

Miles

[Peeps7 in reply to ThreeSmiles]

No offence - beyond that!! Am rolling my sleeves up now! 🤣🤣

[ThreeSmiles in reply to Peeps7]

Coolio 😎! Just the jobbie - well 🤞 for that....

[Hidden]

Hi Daniel,

If your mum is in hospital, it would be a good idea to discuss appropriate treatment with her own medical doctors, no one on the forum is medically qualified to advise you.

If you would like a general chat our helpline is open today.

We hope your mum feels better soon.

Trust1