Cirrhosis Support Group

My husband is also on Xifaxan (the antibiotic) for prevention of HE. He has never had HE yet. It is very expensive)700-1000.00 for a month supply but our insurance covered it as the doctor wrote for " prevention of HE" on the script

This is from the medlinePlus website:

Hepatic encephalopathy may be triggered by:

* Any condition that causes alkalosis

* Dehydration

* Eating too much protein

* Electrolyte abnormalities (especially a decrease in potassium) from vomiting, or from treatments such as paracentesis or taking diuretics ("water pills")

* Gastrointestinal bleeding

* Infections

* Kidney problems

* Low oxygen levels in the body

* Shunt placement or complications

* Surgery

* Use of medications that suppress the central nervous system (such as barbiturates or benzodiazepine tranquilizers)

Disorders that can mimic or mask symptoms of hepatic encephalopathy include:

* Alcohol intoxication

* Complicated alcohol withdrawal

* Meningitis

* Metabolic abnormalities such as low blood glucose

* Sedative overdose

* Subdural hematoma

* Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome

Interesting. It sounds like there can be other factors affecting HE, not just ammonia levels.

source: http://www.nlm.nih.gov/MEDLINEPLUS/ency/article/000302.htm

Oh my gosh I thought I was the only one who was having this problem. My fingers, hands, legs, feet, toes, hips, thighs and calves have this same problem. They start to twitch and contort and the pain is horrifying!!! You can stop it for a minute but that's it because it goes right back the way it was!!!

My doctor said that this is a symptom of the cirrhosis but didn't know much else. I'm going to my hepatologist on Friday morning (bad labs) and I intend to make him recognize this because so far unless I'm crying in pain no ones seems to show much interest. I can't stand it anymore. One thing, my pcp did cut the amount of aldactone in half and that has helped a very small amount - not enough to really be concerned about!!!

I'll let you know what I find out. There is no way I can even imagine that this is arthritis!!!!!

I hope you feel better!!!

Pam

Pam,

Something you may want to check is the magnesium level. It's often low and is sometimes over looked

Diuretics are one of the first things to check . If the electrolytes are low it can cause the same symptoms .

Gail

Here's the quirky part about this. My magnesium is ok, electrolytes are ok, potassium ok. Although they did do some blood work and my creatinin is way off. My pcp said I have lost 40% kidney function. I see the hepatologist Friday regarding this because I can't start the combo for my hep until he checks and makes sure I'm good to go.

Pam,

What is you creatinine? Make sure and ask the hepatologist about heptorenal snydrom.If this is what is causing your renal problems it usually improves after transplant.

In general, transplants are offered to patients who can't be treated using drugs or other therapies, and whose disease has become life-threatening. For HCV-infected patients, the most common reason for a transplant is severe cirrhosis, or scarring of the liver.

If you have heptorenal syndrom they give you extra points to help you get a transplant faster.

Let me know how things go.

Gail