Hep C Discussion Forum

I took my 1st Sov/Riba this AM and Riba night dose an hour ago. I have no idea if I'm going to have Sx's related to Sov/Riba in part because I'm still having Sx's from starting new HIV Rx 7-18-14 but mostly because I was in so much pain today from not taking enough Lactulose. I've been having constipation issues for a few weeks. I called my nurse 3 weeks ago who increased my dose from 30ml - 3x daily, to 30ml - 4x daily. I called again last week and she increased it to 45ml 4x daily. Today when I was in so much pain, she told me to take 60ml, wait 2 hrs if needed, then again every 2 hrs until BM was acheived. And she also said that I can basically take whatever quantity / interval is needed to keep my system functioning correctly.

 She told me what I already knew - frequent BM's are essential for clearing the ammonia from my blood, therefore preventing it from damaging my brain. I already am having issues with confusion/memory loss due to hepatic encephalopathy and I certainly didn't need this to happen.

It won't happen again. She told me Lactulose overdose is, for the most part, impossible. So my Lactulose is now my new best friend LOL

In my New Member thread that I posted in Feb, I was told by Jen / 'PeppyHepper':

Another thing about lactulose - if your loved ones are saying you're acting "different" or erractically, you can take an additional dose or doses. The goal is to have about three bowel movements a day.  It's nearly impossible to "OD" on lactulose. It beats going into a severe HE episode, or worse, being in a coma.

I suppose I was too hard headed to pay attention to that helpful information at that time. I know now!!!