Cirrhosis Support Group

I am a little scared at this point. I was reading information on this sweet/musty breath. Is this something to report immediately or do I wait. the only other issue is I now have headaches everyday. I have cirrhosis as well hep c. currently on active

"roller coaster ride" transplant list. any thoughts?

Joyce,

Although the sweet/musty breath can be caused by other problems (Including Diabetes)

I would call , Changes in your health are warning signs and your team needs to know when something new is going on.

As for the head ache , Me too I don't know why but over the last several months they have become almost constant.

I haven't found a answer checked the BP and BS but nothing new there.

Call your team at the very least it will make you feel better.

tts2003,

What part of your head hurts? Are they worse at a particular time of day?

Sammy

My husband just started with the musty smelling breath a few months ago. He refuses to go back to his doctor cause they want to start him back on the interferon shots and he doesn't want to start until the end of the summer. Says he wants to enjoy his summer. I'm concerned though with his breath now. Let me know what you find out. If you need to go to the doctor or now. He has no other symptoms. He was diagnosed two years ago with stage 4/cirrohsis from Hep C he never knew he had. Since he's been diagnosed, he hasn't had one symptom. Just lately gaining weight and has the bad breath.

My husband's HE, hepatic encephalopathy, has increased his in DISINTEREST in hygiene. He does not brush his teeth, shower, change clothes as often as he should.

I know. It's real problem, throw in diuretics and lactolose and it's even more of a problem. I try not to nag but I do find myself talking to him the same way I would talk to a child, "Have you brushed your teeth yet?" I try to bury in with have you taken your meds and turn it into sort of a routine he's comfortable with. You really do have to be sort of sneaky about it. Sometimes I stoop to bribery with BBQ ribs and brownies. What can I say?

cets,

Honey , as a patient Do what ever you have to.

tamie, the hgygiene could be depression. it is a horribly depressing illness and most of us patients can attest to that. put yourself in his place, he knows he doesn't know, hope that makes sense, and how depressing that can be. i had a freaky episode myself today and i wanted to just cry. so yes, gentle reminders are needed and just tell him how good he feels after a shower, etc.

on the breath thing, i think that has more to do with diabetes than cirrhosis.

Post edited by: TzuWho2, at: 06/03/2011 01:56 PM

Mark does experience depression. It's one of the main reasons I feel that I cannot be away from home much. The more I'm gone, the worse he gets.

However, I refer to the lack of hygiene because I saw it in a list or multiple lists of symptoms. I cannot find any that say such now. (I've looked for over an hour) The below list is from multiple sites.

SYMPTOMS of HEPATIC ENCEPHALOPATHY

Symptoms many begin slowly and gradually worsen, or they may begin suddenly and be severe from the start.

Symptoms may be mild at first. Family members or caregivers may notice that the patient has:

Breath with a musty or sweet odor - (Mark has)

Change in sleep patterns - (Mark has)

Short attention span, nightmares - (Mark has)

Changes in thinking - (Mark has)

Confusion that is mild - (Mark has)

Forgetfulness - (Mark has)

Mental fogginess - (Mark has)

Personality or mood changes - (Mark has)

Poor concentration - (Mark has)

Poor judgment - (Mark has)

Restlessness, depression, aimless wandering, anxiety and irritability. - (Mark has)

Worsening of handwriting or loss of other small hand movements - (Mark has had)

More severe symptoms may include:

Abnormal movements or shaking of hands or arms - (Mark has)

Agitation, excitement, or seizures (occur rarely) - (Mark has had)

Disorientation - (Mark has had)

Drowsiness or confusion - (Mark has)

Inappropriate behavior or severe personality changes - (Mark has)

Slurred speech - (Mark has had)

Slowed or sluggish movement - (Mark has)

Paranoia and anger - (Mark has/had)

Patients with hepatic encephalopathy can become unconscious, unresponsive, and possibly enter a coma.

Patients with hepatic encephalopathy are often not able to care for themselves because of these symptoms.

Has anyone talked to you about a "Living Donor"?