Cirrhosis Support Group

Hubby had TIPS March 7. Hospital for HE March 14, again March 20 and again April 4!! What the heck!!! Keep thinking I MUST be doing something wrong - Dr says no but can't seem to get this figured out. Just needed to vent...

I am sorry you guys are struggling! HUGS!!!

Did he have trouble w he before the tips?

Meg,I'm so very sorry. I've written a PM so check your box when you get time. Hugs and Prayers, Bobbi

No, prior HE before the TIPS. We were told that this could happen, but we HOPING that he would be one of the exceptions.

letsdance,

I'm so sorry you are fighting this HE battle. I was one of the people who told you how wonderful tips has been for me. I was told if I didn't have HE before the risks were small of having problems with it after. Has he been having regular bowel movements, taking lactulose, staying away from alcohol etc.? If so, have you considered consulting another doctor to see what he/she thinks is causing the HE. good luck to you. send me a message If I can help.

gbsltl1

When do you know you need TIPS? My Mom has liver disease.

My Father has very bad H.E. episodes. it stinks! My Mom started him on Xifaxan550 but it is WAY too expensive.. my god.. like $1200 a month. Anyone else take this and on Medicare.. how do you afford it?

My immunosuppressant is also a very expensive drug (about $900/mo). When I first became eligible for Medicare I was on Wisconsin's high risk insurance pool (HIRSP) for my health insurance--it was all I could get, something about having pre-existing conditions ! Anyway, I did extensive research on what type of Part D plan would be the best--turns out none of them provided much, especially in the donut hole! I found out that HIRSP's Medicare Advantage would cover the donut hole--a little more $ each month but considering I hit the donut hole after April's meds, I actually come out ahead. Check it out before the open enrollment process (when you can change carriers) starts in November.

I've always said, it's some time better to have no insurance than under insured.