RE: Encephalopathy & Xifaxan

[Guest guest]

I know several people who

are taking Xifaxan – 2 of them stopped taking the Lactulose (with their

doctor’s permission) and only take the Xifaxan. They say it works better, tastes better

and has helped control their HE much better then the Lactulose ever did. Also, it’s a lot easier on the back

side. HTH

Barb

in Texas - Together in the Fight, Whatever it Takes!

Son (Ken) 31 - UC 91 & PSC 99

-----Original Message-----

Yesterday,

my GI dr. added Xifaxan 1 a day, 200 mg), to be taken in addition to the

lactulose.

My question -- has anyone else here been given this

drug (which is actually an antibiotic)?

[Guest guest]

Barb Henshaw wrote:

> I know several people who are taking Xifaxan – 2 of them stopped taking

> the Lactulose (with their doctor’s permission) and only take the

> Xifaxan. They say it works better, tastes better and has helped control

> their HE much better then the Lactulose ever did. Also, it’s a lot

> easier on the back side. HTH

Bless you, Barb! This is really encouraging to me (and will be to my

hubby too when I read it to him tonight). Thanks so much also for

re-posting the item you had posted on Dec. 26. I think the most

frustrating thing about this encephalopathy is that I can't make simple

connections (like, go to the home page and search messages!! Duuuhhhhhh!!!)

You're such a tremendous help and always respond SOOOOO quickly! You're

a real jewel, girl.

Regards,

Carolyn B. in SC

[Guest guest]

Yes, Carolyn, I used it, too. I found that it didn't have any side

effects for me - probably because it isn't absorbed into the blood

stream - just stays in the intestines. The theory is that it kills

some of the bacteria that produce the toxins that cause the

encephalopathy. I'm not sure how much it helped with me, but it was

nice to know I had something else to put towards the problem. Also,

one of my doctors prescribed zinc supplements. I can't remember if the

zinc binded to the toxins or if having low zinc levels made you more

apt to have problems with the toxins, but the coctail of all three got

me through until May 19th. I even went to last year's PSC conference,

traveling on my own, so I guess it must have worked somewhat!

Hope it helps!

Deb in VA

PSC 1998, UC 1999, Listed Ltx 2001, LDLTX 5/19/2001, Partial Portal

Vein Thrombosis 7/20/2005, 5 PTCs w/ drain placements/ replacements

since 9/2005, billirubin back up to 3.4 this week and low-grade fevers

continuing, but feeling okay otherwise.

> My question -- has anyone else here been given this drug (which is

> actually an antibiotic)?

>

[Guest guest]

Carolyn

Yes I took it but for different reasons. Tried it as a substitute for

chronic Cipro that treats the chronic pouchitis. Almost worked but no cigar!

Best

jd, 45

UC 1973, Jpouch 2000, Chronic Pouchitis 2001, PSC 2004, Stage 3

Southern, IL

krmpotich@...

>

> My question -- has anyone else here been given this drug (which is

> actually an antibiotic)?

>