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I have questions about Hepatic Encephalopathy
Transplants | Last Active: Oct 5, 2021 | Replies (34)Comment receiving replies
The doctor we saw on Monday is recommending us to the transplant program. We hope to get an appointment in a few weeks.
He does remember the episodes but not the severity of them. His doctor said it was atypical of HE and he didn't have any suggestions. He will be going to a 30 alcohol treatment program (He has not drank for over 9 months and is doing well with that) and maybe therapy might help him control the episodes, but my observation is he seems to have no control over them.
My husband takes 1 dose of Lactulose daily and has 4-6 bowel movements a day. We may try 2 doses and see if there is an improvement.
Replies to "The doctor we saw on Monday is recommending us to the transplant program. We hope to..."
Congratulations on your husband’s referral. It will be a bumpy road, but it’s good he has your support. The lactulose can be tricky to manage…most of us with late stage cirrhosis had to learn how best and how much to take. So, your husband will have some trial and error as he learns how his body does best. Ultimately it is key to helping him while he waits for his transplant.
Be sure to encourage him to walk and eat well so that he is as healthy as possible for his surgery. His transplant team will be a valuable resource for you and him.
Those of us on Connect are happy to help answer questions you both might have, of course, from our own journey and experience as liver disease patients and transplant recipients. I wish I had found Connect before my transplant…I had so many questions! I research everything, but reading medical journals doesn’t tell you about what we face as patients and caregivers.
My best to you both!
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@sharonagnes, This is good news! I am happy that he is going to be referred to a transplant center. You will be amazed at the extensive amount of knowledge and information that will be available to you, as well as expert care for your husband.
I commend you and him for the success of his alcohol recovery. This will be something that is necessary before transplant listing.
I also hope that he gets an appointment soon and the the adjusted Lactulose dosages will lead to an improvement in the HE episodes.
My regional transplant center was only 45 minutes from our home. Is there a transplant center nearby? Do you know where he will be referred?