iluvwv
04-07-2008, 07:22 PM
My husband has cirrohosis. He started having seizures last night and was admitted in the hospital. They have not found out what is causing the seizures. The dr said he thinks it is related to the cirrohosis. Has anyone had any experience with this? Why is this happening. Every time I think it can't get worse, something happens.
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phovo
04-07-2008, 07:32 PM
I am so sorry this is happening to your husband. I hope someone can provide some insight for you.
feelbad
04-09-2008, 11:56 AM
just what was his ammonia level? did they actually even check that? high ammonia levels can lead to seizures in liver disease patients in some cases. its kind of an individual physiological response(some people are just much more sensitive to ammonia in their brains). it doesn't always have to be really high in order for this to occur. it all depends. is he on any meds right now that could have the side effect of possible seizures? all you have to do is look up the Rxing info,or even just ask his pharmacist. has he recently stopped any meds? the ammonia/seizure connection is really the only possible one that i am aware of with the liver.
when the liver is not functioning properly,in some patients,their ammonia levels can get quite high. for some odd reason,that free ammoina goes right to the brain. we had to have our sons ammonia levels checked every week before his Tx took place,just to keep tabs on it.
it could also be totally unrelated like the docs said. have they done any types of real testing on his brain with at least a contrasted MRI? this really would be the best type of test for him to actually have at this point if they cannot find the actual trigger. this would pretty much show everything within the brain,with that contrasting agent highlighting all the arterial structures. just some good suggestions for you. hopefully it wont happen again,but they really DO need to find out just what triggered this one.
good luck to you and please keep me posted as to what you find out.marcia
when the liver is not functioning properly,in some patients,their ammonia levels can get quite high. for some odd reason,that free ammoina goes right to the brain. we had to have our sons ammonia levels checked every week before his Tx took place,just to keep tabs on it.
it could also be totally unrelated like the docs said. have they done any types of real testing on his brain with at least a contrasted MRI? this really would be the best type of test for him to actually have at this point if they cannot find the actual trigger. this would pretty much show everything within the brain,with that contrasting agent highlighting all the arterial structures. just some good suggestions for you. hopefully it wont happen again,but they really DO need to find out just what triggered this one.
good luck to you and please keep me posted as to what you find out.marcia
iluvwv
04-09-2008, 07:57 PM
they did the mri today. his ammonia level was only 27! this was unreal because it has not been below 170 in months. they said his hemoglobin was 8.8. the next night they said his hemoglobin was 7.2. I don't know about this place. I told them his blood was low cause he had 2 teeth pulled. he had lost a lot of blood. all they said was this dont cause seizures. ammonia 27... still aint got over that. i know better. he was slurring and everything today. i'll let you know what happens. too tired right now. thanks for answering. oh... they did the sleep lab thing today too and he has been given everything you think of thru the iv. talk to you later.
feelbad
04-10-2008, 11:45 AM
just need to ask you one question about the ammonia draw? are they placing that tube of blood they draw "directly" on ice right after they take it? if not,the ammonia level wont be accurate,it just HAS TO be iced immediately after the draw or the actual ammonia in that tube will start to dissapate very quickly. this is how the ammonia is supposed to be drawn ALWAYS. if you were not there to see it drawn,ask your hubby or ask the next person who you see drawing blood just how they actually DO their ammonia draws. it just HAS TO be iced right after its drawn,always.
just one possible theory here,if his ammonia was really up there and it came down that much and it was too quickly somehow,that could also possibly set off seizure activity too. but check into how his ammonias are being drawn,it is just that vital it be iced. as for the other labs,it wouldn't be beyond the norm to have them kind of all over the place if your hubbys condition is not fully stable. my sons did this at times from morning and the night labs when he was in the hosp and they were drawing morning and evening labs.
please let me know how things are going.Marcia
just one possible theory here,if his ammonia was really up there and it came down that much and it was too quickly somehow,that could also possibly set off seizure activity too. but check into how his ammonias are being drawn,it is just that vital it be iced. as for the other labs,it wouldn't be beyond the norm to have them kind of all over the place if your hubbys condition is not fully stable. my sons did this at times from morning and the night labs when he was in the hosp and they were drawing morning and evening labs.
please let me know how things are going.Marcia
iluvwv
04-10-2008, 08:56 PM
well they sent him home from the hospital tonight. they have him on keppra for the seizures. his stomach is hurting him so bad tonight. it's not a normal fluid this time, his stomach is real hard and really big. his feet are black. he finally went to sleep but i have to wake him up and give him meds soon. bless his heart, he is so sick. i know he brought it on himself, but i really love him and i hate this. on the ammonia... i don't know how many times i have had to take him back to dr office to redo blood because they forgot to put it straight on ice, but at the emergency room with the seizures and everything, i never thought about it. i hope they knew what they were doing but with a 27 reading i doubt it. i'm suppose to have him at the transplant clinic for tests on wednesday, 4 hours away, hope he can handle the trip.
thanks for the reply.
thanks for the reply.
iluvwv
04-11-2008, 08:12 PM
by the way....
what's up with the fluid tap. they told me they wouldn't draw the fluid off because it would just come back. so what? wouldn't that at least give him some comfort? i've been trying to read about it and i don't see where it is that much of a risk and only takes about 4 hours. wonder why they wouldn't do that for him? do you have any experience with that?
what's up with the fluid tap. they told me they wouldn't draw the fluid off because it would just come back. so what? wouldn't that at least give him some comfort? i've been trying to read about it and i don't see where it is that much of a risk and only takes about 4 hours. wonder why they wouldn't do that for him? do you have any experience with that?
michelle991
04-12-2008, 06:10 AM
Hi,
Glad to know he is home from the hospital. Keep us informed on how it goes Wednesday. You were talking about his feet??? My hubands look black and blue on top and there is a rash around his toes....Last night he scared me. He had a coughing spell so bad and he turned really red then his eyes rolled back in his head. I swear he blacked out for a minute. I heard the fluid build up can cause problems with the heart and lungs. Plus, he has had cold symptoms for months. It seem to be there are hundreds of things that can happen to people with cirrhosis.He is in complete denial so all I can do is pray...I know his belly will put his life on hold soon....I wish so much that I knew more of what to expect but everyone seems to experiance different symptoms. Well, I hope you have a good day. I'll pray for you both. Michelle
Glad to know he is home from the hospital. Keep us informed on how it goes Wednesday. You were talking about his feet??? My hubands look black and blue on top and there is a rash around his toes....Last night he scared me. He had a coughing spell so bad and he turned really red then his eyes rolled back in his head. I swear he blacked out for a minute. I heard the fluid build up can cause problems with the heart and lungs. Plus, he has had cold symptoms for months. It seem to be there are hundreds of things that can happen to people with cirrhosis.He is in complete denial so all I can do is pray...I know his belly will put his life on hold soon....I wish so much that I knew more of what to expect but everyone seems to experiance different symptoms. Well, I hope you have a good day. I'll pray for you both. Michelle
iluvwv
05-09-2008, 06:50 PM
well we had the follow up with a neurologist. he said he "thinks" the reason for the seizures were because all his electrolytes and other labs were bottomed out. he said this would happen until he got a liver. so they have kept him on the keppra and he has to return every 3 months. so far no more seizures.
feelbad
05-10-2008, 12:45 PM
well hopefully thats true. just one thing here that you can do for him in just advocating and making darn sure they are usuing the right protocals for particular labs they do,like with the ammonia nightmare? proper protocal is vital in order to obtain the most accurate labs possible. in the case of liver failure,any even little change in the true numbers can make a huge difference in his condition and or treatments options that he may or may not actually need,you know what i mean? you DO have the right to make certain that everything is being done properly for your hubby. someone has to. i do hope the siezures wont happen again,i do know how freaked out they can make you. what is your hubbys current list status? Marcia
iluvwv
05-10-2008, 01:26 PM
they presented his case before the board on wednesday and it was not approved... yet. they think he needs to see a shrink over depression and anxiety. good grief. i did everything else they said, from the dental work to the urology tests. now this. he will not be approved until i do this. but i think once we get this started, the next time presented maybe he'll get approved.
how did you son do with the meds after transplant? meds seem to make my hubby sick and i dread having to change them.
how did you son do with the meds after transplant? meds seem to make my hubby sick and i dread having to change them.