encephalopathy-help - Liver & Pancreas Disorders Message Board

eterry · 01-31-2002, 02:18 PM

My husband has cirrhosis from alcohol. has been off all alcohol for a few years, since diag. Had been stable. This week though, encephalopathy has developed and I am scared out of my wits. Haven't heard back from doc yet. Anyone have exp with this? It came on so sudden.

eterry · 02-01-2002, 09:56 PM

I think this episode was a lot worse than "mild". I think that it was short of coma. He slept a bunch yesterday. I ended up taking him to the ER and they gave him the lactulose. The next morning (today) he was a lot better, but still confused. He is still at hospital. I am hoping that the lactulose will keep it under control. He had been taking lactulose, but only for constipation, as needed. This will have to change now. I guess we have entered into a new phase of liver disease.

eterry · 02-02-2002, 11:09 PM

thanks for the info. We are not out of the woods yet. DH is still in hospital. He has some ups and downs. He was pretty bad when I left him tonight. I hope this is able to clear up. The gastro expects it to. He has the slurred speech, can't find words, couldn't tell who won a basketball game on tv today, couldn't remember the president's name. I think the enceph is pretty advanced right now, but it hit so suddenly.

[This message has been edited by moderator3 (edited 04-23-2002).]

eterry · 02-04-2002, 05:54 AM

Yes, i've read that low-protein diet. The gastro said we don't have to restrict his diet, but I might try to cut down on the red meat. They think the enceph was triggered by a urinary track infection that we didn't even know existed.

eterry · 02-04-2002, 11:27 PM

No ascites, but the dietician at the hospital sat down with us today to go over diet. She recommended low salt. She did suggest the low protein too.

BTW, he was super today. IT looks like the enceph is clearing. What a difference!!