Nausea

[glair]

I have been dealing with nausea for several weeks, At first it was after taking the Kristalose but now it is occuring much more frequently and causes a reduced appetite and foods tasting bad. Reminds me of when I was doing tx in 2003. I have hiccups a lot - not the ones that go one after the other but I'll do one then maybe 30 sec. later another one.
If you'll look at my profile you will see what has been going on with me. I'm wondering if anyone else with Hep C, Cirrhosis, taking Lactulose has had similar symtoms.
I'm scheduled to begin tx later this month and I hate starting off feeling sick because I know it's only going to get worse.
Hoping 2012 will bring some healing for all of us.
God Bless,
George

[HectorSF]

Thanks for all the information. I didn't know you were in a similar boat as myself.

AS you know we are prone to infections and at times they can be life-threatening. Glad you got meds for your infection. Dehydration can cause HE so I am glad your doc is monitoring your condition.

Unfortunately for us with ESLD nausea and loss of appetite are a common symptom of advanced liver disease. I have found nausea for myself to vary over time along with other symptoms of ESLD such as loss of appetite, fatigue, muscle wasting, dizziness, sleep disturbance issues, itching, hepatic encephalopathy (which is not the brain fog that hep C patients experience during treatment), libido issues, feeling cold, etc etc. I know I am preaching to the choir here but many hepatitis C patients have no idea how much progressive liver failure affects so many body systems other then the obvious GI system.

At times I have had issues with some of my cirrhosis meds causing or making worse some of my symptoms and had to chance dosages but for the most part I'm afraid we with advanced liver disease must learn to live with the symptoms to one degree or another until we get a transplant.

Best of luck to you! Hope you get a TP soon!
Hector

[glair]

Yes, I have cirrhosis and am on the liver transplant list. I have had high ammonia levels several times with the associated brain fog (went in to ER day after Xmas due to HE). I saw my Gastroenterologist today and received a couple of prescriptions for bacterial infection. (I'm already taking Xifaacin but it apparently wasn't enough. He also told me to stop the water pills I take for edema (he thinks I may be dehydrated). I have had varices but they were banded. Let's see what else were you asking about - GERD. Yes I take medication for that although it hasn't been a problem for me siince I've been taking the pills. My MELD score goes up and down 17-11 but I can't tell any difference in the way I feel.

[HectorSF]

Hi George.

I have never heard of this issue related to Lactulose.

Why are you talking Kristalose? Hepatic encephalopathy (HE) is only seen in decompensated cirrhosis. Most docs won't treat hepatitis C in decompensated patients.

I and some of my friends have been taking Lactulose for years. Really no side effects other then gastro stuff like growling bowels and diarrhea of course. Have you had high ammonia blood levels?

Nausea and reduced appetite and foods tasting bad are usually a combination that goes together. But again only decompensated cirrhotics have liver disease related nausea.

I agree if you are ill you should resolve it before starting treatment.

Hiccups are sometimes related to GERD. Have you ever been diagnosed with GERD? A condition in which the stomach contents (food or liquid) leak backwards from the stomach into the esophagus. Usually feel a burning and nausea after eating. Usually worse at night. Are you taking a beta-blocker for portal hypertension? Sometimes they can cause GERD. I would see your gastro and have them figure out what is going on before starting treatment.

Can you please explain your exact diagnosis of cirrhosis as this picture doesn't make sense to me.
Do you have a MELD score?
What blood values are out of norms?
Do you have other symptoms of decompensated cirrhosis?
Ascites (fluid in the belly)?
Edema (swelling) in ankles, feet or lower legs?
Level of varices?
Any bleeds?
Degree and experience with HE?

Thanks.
Hector

[orphanedhawk]

I used to juice ginger~ whole fresh ginger root.
Then you can use the juice to make tea, put it into smoothies, oatmeal, etc.
If you can't get fresh ginger, try what you can~ ginger tea, ginger capsules, powdered ginger, etc.
Ginger helps to relieve nausea.
Some people here use ginger chews.

Good luck G.

I'm off to do my stretches.
Good night
OH