seizures - Liver & Pancreas Disorders Message Board

iluvwv · 04-07-2008, 04:22 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.

phovo · 04-07-2008, 04:32 PM

I am so sorry this is happening to your husband. I hope someone can provide some insight for you.

feelbad · 04-09-2008, 08:56 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

iluvwv · 04-09-2008, 04:57 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, 08:45 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