Help

[faith601]

I have recently been prescibed Neomycin Sulfate and Lactoluse.  Are these presciptions that can be taken over a period of time?    I have been a drinker for 50 yrs. and had heaptitis C for 30 yrs.  I am Vietnam veteran.I stopped drinking on Sept. 13, 2008 and need to be drink free for at least 6 months before I can be considered for a work up for a liver transplant.  I am being treated by a VA Hopsital and doctors.  What are you suggestions for treatment?  Is there hope for me or will my life continue to deterioate?

[faith601]

Thanks for your information.  

I am actually writing on behalf of my husband. (Eldon)

The VA has talked about getting worked up for a transplant list.  He has to be without alcohol for 6 months before they will even consider seeing if he will qualify.

He is continuing to not drink and hope that he will qualify for a transplant in the future.

He seemed pretty normal yesterday.  The weekend was a scarry one.

WE appreciate any information for anyone.

[Bill1954]

Lactalose and Neomycin are routinely prescribed to patients with decompensated liver disease to help manage hepatic encephalopathy; this can occur due to ammonia buildup when the liver can no longer process toxins in the blood. As for as I know, they can be taken indefinitely; you will probably experience loose stool or diarrhea with the Lactalose, though.

Good luck with quitting drinking; I have HCV, and drank alcoholically for many years; I managed to quit about 6 years ago, and haven’t looked back. It can be done… but it takes a change in outlook.

I assume you’ve consulted with a transplant center; I don’t know the particulars of you situation, but many people have been transplanted and gone on to a productive life. Did the center give you a MELD score?  While I’m not a TP patient myself, we have others here that are; maybe some of them will check in to tell you more.

Hang in there, and take good care—

Bill