Recurring Hepatic Encephalopathy - British Liver Trust

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Recurring Hepatic Encephalopathy

Prhey305 profile image
3 Replies

Hello everyone, it’s been a while since I posted and I hope everyone is staying encouraged and strong on your journey.

I wrote last year about my brother and his Ascites and cirrhosis diagnosis. Well, it has not been easy the past 4 months. He is currently having repeated hepatic encephalopathy episodes, and was recovering fast with each one at first, but now about 4 months in, it is taking longer and longer for him to “come back to himself” and remains half coherent. A few days ago while video chatting with him in the hospital, I experienced something I had never before with him, severe personality changes that were extremely shocking. He knew it was happening and was really scared, and it was horrible watching him go through that 😞. From talking to other family members this is new. Before he would just lose brain function and be drowsy and talking half sentences, but it’s been days and he’s still not back to himself, and every time it happens it takes longer and longer (in days) for him to come back to himself. I’m scared but trying to stay positive.

In between the episodes, he’s doing better and better with his diet and keeping up 100% on his lactulose and Rifaximin doses (and about 3 others) and was looking like everything was getting better. And then this happens.

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Prhey305
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3 Replies

Good morning,

This is really difficult for you and it is frightening when you see someone you know so well have the personality changes associated with hepatic encephalopathy. I am assuming from your post that he is hospital currently in the USA? When the point is reached that conservative treatment ie medication etc is not working the team would generally start to think about liver transplant -Is transplant an option for him?

regards

Prhey305 profile image
Prhey305 in reply to

Thank you so much for your kind reply. It is so hard seeing him go through this, repeated hospital visits, paracentesis and tubes, and I’m also in another state and can’t visit him, which makes it worse. At least we have been able to video chat when he is ok to talk.

Yes, we are in the USA and liver transplant has been recommended by his doctor around the time the HE episodes started. He no longer drinks and has had an ultrasound and has to go through an interview and testing at the transplant hospital to get on the list.

alcoholicFATHERsad profile image
alcoholicFATHERsad in reply to Prhey305

Hey, I can imagine what you are going through. I am in another country and my dad is going through this. He is in transplant assesment now but I don't know if he is eligible..so hard when I am so far away. feel free to msg me..my dad is in ILLInois. take care

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