HE or alcohol withdrawal

[210mylssa]

Hi I'm new to this forum and am desperate for help. My mother was a self sufficient 56 year old woman able to take care of herself and watch four grandchildren on thenweekends.  She spent a week sick at home before going to the hospital where she was diagnosed with pneumonia.  On the second day in the hospital she became confused and agitated.  She was admitted in ICU and put on a ventilator.  Her mental state has gotten worse she is thrashing around acting crazy and won't look a person in the eye she looks thru the person.  The doctor is saying her mental state is from the pneumonia  and alcohol withdrawal.  I am convinced  it's HE.  They dont seem to be concerned with the root of the problem which is her stage 3 cirrhosis.  And refuse to contact her liver specialist.  Does it sound like alcohol withdrawal or HE?  Can a hospital refuse to contact a patients primary doctor/ specialist?

[210mylssa]

Thank you everyone, your kind words mean a lot during this difficult time

[Livelife777]

Mylssa.  What a tragedy.  I'm so very sorry that your mom was faced with such a devastating illness.  It's so very sad that she was so very young.  My heart goes out to you and your family.  
I hope that you will always remember her vibrant spirit and the love that she felt for her grandchildren and especially her children.  This disease has no rhyme or reason and to many lives are cut short in its path.
May you find peace and love.
.....Kim

[mzkity]

So very sorry, your correct....It takes loved ones far to soon.

Peace and strength to you and your family.

Kitty

[Dee1956]

Oh sweetie, I am so very very sorry to hear this.  My heart breaks for you.
Take Care
D

[hepcandme]

I am so sorry for your loss

~ Linda

[210mylssa]

Thank you for all your info sadly my mother passed yesterday 4/28/15. At the age of 56.  We choose to place her in hospice and she was able to die peacefully and pain free  Which is a relief to me because I know it could have been a lot worse.  This is a terrible disease and it takes loved ones far too soon.

[HectorSF]

Hi and welcome to the cirrhosis community.
I am sorry to hear about your mother's condition and hospitalization.

I agree completely with hepcandme.
Call her liver doctor and let the office know that she has been hospitalized and may be experiencing an HE episode. Because she has cirrhosis, her doctor should be aware of the change in her condition and certain medical precautions should be taken by the hospital whether she is experiencing an HE episode or not.

As far as HE and its symptoms; people usually become drowsy and confused, and movements and speech become sluggish. Disorientation is very common. Less often, people with encephalopathy become agitated and excited or have seizures. Over time as the HE gets worse, they may lose consciousness and lapse into a coma.

The good news is.. in a hospital setting, HE is very easy to diagnose and treat.

Good luck to you and your mother.
Hector

[hepcandme]

I am so sorry to hear about this Mylssa

Your poor mom! No, I don't think they can refuse to call her liver doc but an ER is designed to treat emergencies and the staff often does not have the knowledge and skills to deal with diseases that they know little about, They are just trying to stabilize her

Why don't you call her doc yourself? That would likely be easier than trying to convince them. Call and keep calling. I am certain that her doctor would want to be aware of her condition. She/he may come right down to the hospital but at the very least, he can talk to the staff over the phone.

Don't ever be hesitant to ask for help - especially in such a critical situation.

Best of luck to you and your mom!