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StephN · 08-12-2006, 01:30 PM

Dear Sherry -
This is harsh news from you. Yet your spirit is shinning through and if I had any way to help you I would.

I looked up some reasons for high blood amonia. They mostly have to do with too much animal protein in your diet, but I don't know what diet you have been on due to the weight loss issue.
This is why I posted about the TPN nutrition supplementation a while back. I hope you saw it as a reply to your last post. The TPN is balanced to try to help prevent these problems.

I do not know if you are able to do ANY type of liver cleansing, even weak herbal detox teas, at this point. But you DO need liquids.

Here is a quote from my web search:

"There has been much evidence that if you can lower the ammonia levels, the encephalopathy can be controlled. Dietary changes can improve encephalopathy. Limiting the amount of protein and specifically the amount of animal protein is necessary. Taking Lactulose ( a sweet liquid that causes diarrhea) will also reduce serum ammonia. The amount of Lactulose taken should be sufficient to cause 3-4 loose stool perday."

The emphasis is mine, but suggests a product to reduce the amonia. Don't know where you get it, but you should be able to find it.

Hope you are still strong enough to try something, even the milk thistle, to help out your liver.

Keep on trying, as your docs are not giving you much to work with. Maybe a good internist could give you more advice about your liver functions.
Meantime, we will ask for special healing blessings and comfort for you and your family.

08-12-2006, 01:30 PM	#5
StephN Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Misty woods of WA State Posts: 4,128	Diet and amonia Dear Sherry - This is harsh news from you. Yet your spirit is shinning through and if I had any way to help you I would. I looked up some reasons for high blood amonia. They mostly have to do with too much animal protein in your diet, but I don't know what diet you have been on due to the weight loss issue. This is why I posted about the TPN nutrition supplementation a while back. I hope you saw it as a reply to your last post. The TPN is balanced to try to help prevent these problems. I do not know if you are able to do ANY type of liver cleansing, even weak herbal detox teas, at this point. But you DO need liquids. Here is a quote from my web search: "There has been much evidence that if you can lower the ammonia levels, the encephalopathy can be controlled. Dietary changes can improve encephalopathy. Limiting the amount of protein and specifically the amount of animal protein is necessary. Taking Lactulose ( a sweet liquid that causes diarrhea) will also reduce serum ammonia. The amount of Lactulose taken should be sufficient to cause 3-4 loose stool perday." The emphasis is mine, but suggests a product to reduce the amonia. Don't know where you get it, but you should be able to find it. Hope you are still strong enough to try something, even the milk thistle, to help out your liver. Keep on trying, as your docs are not giving you much to work with. Maybe a good internist could give you more advice about your liver functions. Meantime, we will ask for special healing blessings and comfort for you and your family. __________________ "When I hear music, I fear no danger. I am invulnerable. I see no foe. I am related to the earliest times, and to the latest." H.D. Thoreau Live in the moment. MY STORY SO FAR ~~~~ Found suspicious lump 9/2000 Lumpectomy, then node dissection and port placement Stage IIB, 8 pos nodes of 18, Grade 3, ER & PR - Adriamycin 12 weekly, taxotere 4 rounds 36 rads - very little burning 3 mos after rads liver full of tumors, Stage IV Jan 2002, one spot on sternum Weekly Taxol, Navelbine, Herceptin for 27 rounds to NED! 2003 & 2004 no active disease - 3 weekly Herceptin + Zometa Jan 2005 two mets to brain - Gamma Knife on Jan 18 All clear until treated cerebellum spot showing activity on Jan 2006 brain MRI & brain PET Brain surgery on Feb 9, 2006 - no cancer, 100% radiation necrosis - tumor was still dying Continue as NED while on Herceptin & quarterly Zometa Fall-2006 - off Zometa - watching one small brain spot (scar?) 2007 - spot/scar in brain stable - finished anticoagulation therapy for clot along my port-a-catheter - 3 angioplasties to unblock vena cava 2008 - Brain and body still NED! Port removed and scans in Dec. Dec 2008 - stop Herceptin - Vaccine Trial at U of W begun in Oct. of 2011 STILL NED everywhere in Feb 2014 - on wing & prayer 7/14 - Started twice yearly Zometa for my bones Jan. 2015 checkup still shows NED 2015 Neuropathy in feet - otherwise all OK - still NED. Same news for 2016 and all of 2017. Nov of 2017 - had small skin cancer removed from my face. Will have Zometa end of Jan. 2018.