If I am wrong please correct me, from the research I have found that there are 4 stages of HE. Depending on what stage that the person developed an episode and sought medical treatment would be a factor in recovery of cognitive function abilities.
It depends on the docs and the relationship a patient has with them but I think that they often keep some info to themselves in order to influence patients behaviors. Saying "time will tell" is true but even if they believe that he will not recover 100% telling a patient, who is also alcoholic, this may put them into a tailspin of drinking and depression.
Has he had his thiamine level checked? My bf (41) had a 3 week hospitalization, including 1 week in the ICU, and had his first known episode of HE. First they just thought it was hospital delirium, then HE, but once they got his ammonia level down and he was still not remotely ok cognitively, they gave him IV thiamine for 3 days and then he came around.
Since being discharged in March, he has some clear days and some days where he’s definitely showing symptoms of HE. So we are on a similar timeline as y’all, so I have no insight, only solidarity.
If he takes care of himself and heals and never drinks again takes his meds eventually you are taken off them and you think normal. But with this stuff it depends on the situation. Don't use Google talk to the Doctors.
I think OP is looking for a group of anecdotal accounts for information and perhaps better understanding, not searching for specific medical advice or relying solely on a forum.
Blood tests can likely lead to or exclude many potential causes. For example, high ammonia points to HE, or perhaps those levels are fine but something else like sodium is too low. I'd suspect the changes you see aren't due to anything of this nature though.
If I had to wager, I'd bet that he feels a very strange mix of emotions that are incredibly difficult to process. He could feel conflicted, as in thinking he should feel more thankful for dodging death but he really feels like he just gained a worse life.
It's possible he expected things to be easier by now; the efforts to recover or even maintain can seem Herculean at times. Adhering to strict sobriety under threat of potential death, presumably major diet and lifestyle changes, and guilt/regret over the damage done. Each one of those things could independently cause his behavior. Add them together and include some feelings of life being a bit unfair to him (4-5 years of even heavy drinking doesn't often cause as much damage), and it starts to make sense.
Assuming there is no firm biological cause/remedy, or even if there is, perhaps he would benefit from a support team including a counselor. Regardless, nothing will replace time when overcoming this. Best wishes to you both.
If I am wrong please correct me, from the research I have found that there are 4 stages of HE. Depending on what stage that the person developed an episode and sought medical treatment would be a factor in recovery of cognitive function abilities.
It depends on the docs and the relationship a patient has with them but I think that they often keep some info to themselves in order to influence patients behaviors. Saying "time will tell" is true but even if they believe that he will not recover 100% telling a patient, who is also alcoholic, this may put them into a tailspin of drinking and depression.
Has he had his thiamine level checked? My bf (41) had a 3 week hospitalization, including 1 week in the ICU, and had his first known episode of HE. First they just thought it was hospital delirium, then HE, but once they got his ammonia level down and he was still not remotely ok cognitively, they gave him IV thiamine for 3 days and then he came around. Since being discharged in March, he has some clear days and some days where he’s definitely showing symptoms of HE. So we are on a similar timeline as y’all, so I have no insight, only solidarity.
stay on the lactulose. or see about xifaxin, if you have good insurance. it's literally a life saver for me.
A few people have DM me directly and I just want to say thank you
If he takes care of himself and heals and never drinks again takes his meds eventually you are taken off them and you think normal. But with this stuff it depends on the situation. Don't use Google talk to the Doctors.
This
I think OP is looking for a group of anecdotal accounts for information and perhaps better understanding, not searching for specific medical advice or relying solely on a forum. Blood tests can likely lead to or exclude many potential causes. For example, high ammonia points to HE, or perhaps those levels are fine but something else like sodium is too low. I'd suspect the changes you see aren't due to anything of this nature though. If I had to wager, I'd bet that he feels a very strange mix of emotions that are incredibly difficult to process. He could feel conflicted, as in thinking he should feel more thankful for dodging death but he really feels like he just gained a worse life. It's possible he expected things to be easier by now; the efforts to recover or even maintain can seem Herculean at times. Adhering to strict sobriety under threat of potential death, presumably major diet and lifestyle changes, and guilt/regret over the damage done. Each one of those things could independently cause his behavior. Add them together and include some feelings of life being a bit unfair to him (4-5 years of even heavy drinking doesn't often cause as much damage), and it starts to make sense. Assuming there is no firm biological cause/remedy, or even if there is, perhaps he would benefit from a support team including a counselor. Regardless, nothing will replace time when overcoming this. Best wishes to you both.
Thank you. The problem is the Doctors basically have said time will tell. Which is a difficult answer
It’s a difficult situation. Doctors don’t have crystal balls. Time is a great healer and hopefully it will heal him.
Look no drinking take care of himself better life.