Re: Encephalopathy, low protein diet

December 12, 2000

In a message dated 12/12/00 6:38:13 AM Pacific Standard Time, gefox@...

writes:

<< When I had end stage cirrhosis.... i had encephalopathy (a rather

unfortunate and nasty symptom of advanced liver disease) besides taking a

vile medicine called lactulose... i was on a very low protien diet that

precluded red meat and such...

jerry >>

I hope you'll excuse my ignorance on some of these subjects -- I'm learning a

lot fast. I gather that you have managed to get out of end stage cirrhosis,

as you speak of it in the past tense. I'd assumed that end stage was -- end

stage. I'll look up encephalopathy when I leave this area. It certainly

sounds highly undesirable, given the root components. I'm sorry you had to

go through that experience.

You speak of the low protein diet. I do hope that my gastro guy is correct

in telling me to eat a lot of protein; when I asked him about diet when I was

first diagnosed (with AIH) he said that a high-protein diet is now advised

even in end-stage cirrhosis. So, I've pushed myself in that direction.

For a long time the only thing I wanted to eat was non-fat unflavored yogurt

with fruit, to the point that my gp warned me of the possibility of kidney

damage, as I was also taking 1500 mg calcium. I have very little interest in

food now, which seems strange given my extreme weight gain. The gain was

back in the summer when I was on 80 mg Prednisone a day, and the weight

hasn't gone away. I forget to eat and suddenly find I'm dizzy, truly

light-headed and frantic from hunger that food doesn't easily satisfy. I

don't quite understand what's happening.

Harper

December 12, 2000

In a message dated 12/12/00 10:39:47 AM Pacific Standard Time,

gefox@... writes:

<< Harper....there are two ways out of end stage cirrhosis..... death or

transplant.... guess which one i chose ? Here again I wonder if you read or

remember any of my posts . Probably every one else here is tired of me

reminding them of my 1995 transplant at the Cleveland Clinic >>

Yes, I do read and remember your posts. However, I knew just about nothing

about cirrhosis, liver transplants, and their implications until a few days

ago, when I joined this group. I think I hoped never to need that

information. Also, there are many people in the group with e-mail names,

real names, and varied, complex histories. Don't think less of those of us

who are struggling to assimilate much material in a short time while feeling

less than our best. I do the best I can and will continue to do so.

Harper

December 12, 2000

In a message dated 12/12/00 10:51:34 AM Pacific Standard Time,

gefox@... writes:

<< Harper......High protien IS indicated in early stages of cirrhosis but

as the liver becomes more cirrhosed and shrinks it is harder for it to

metaboiize many things ..the result...a build up of ammonia that

finds its way into the blood system and to te brain where it takes up

valuable space....lactulose " leaches " the ammonia from the blood and as

a POWERFUL (believe me) laxative it is eliminared through bowel

movemets ..... Go to Hepatitis Central.com or just type in

encephalopathy in your search for a better explaination than my

layman`s...

Jerry >>

Yes, I'd looked up encephalopathy and lactulose through a Google search and

found a fair amount of information. Thanks.

December 12, 2000

Harper....there are two ways out of end stage cirrhosis..... death or

transplant....

guess which one i chose ? Here again I wonder if you read or remember

any of my posts . Probably every one else here is tired of me reminding

them of my 1995 transplant at the Cleveland Clinic ....