my boyfriends dad was diagnosed with sometype of liver disease last october. Since then, he's been in and out of the hospital, with out the discovery of exactly what it is that he has. However, recently he's been having episodes of confusion,and yesterday was barely able to wake up. He's in the hospital now, and they found his ammonia levels at 200. It comes and goes, but it seems that when he is the best is when he takes lactulose, and hopefully they'll raise his dose of it, because it just seems to be getting worse. The drug however, seems to really help him, ask the doctors about it.
Aher docs looking into the possibility that there may be liver problems as a result of either the chemo or the pancreatic issues? Elevated blood ammonia levels are typically due to liver problems or disease although there are some unusual circumstances in which someone can have an elevated ammonia and a normal liver. If there is any possibility that her liver might be damaged the elevated ammonia may be due to that. The problems you're seeing in forgetfulness etc. can be attributed to elevated ammonia.