Jake's Prescriptions
(update 10/9/14: You can see Jake's most recent list of medications by clicking HERE... he has cut back on some of the things on this list).
It's been 9 months since his hospitalization in December, and I wanted to make a list of the medications that Jake is taking. I have been concerned that he is on too many diuretics. Although he is doing pretty well physically, overall, his skin texture has become increasingly dehydrated over the last 9 months, and this makes him look a lot older than he actually is. Someone actually asked him if I was his daughter, and today someone else asked his son if Jake was his grandpa! Needless to say, Jake finds this pretty annoying, so he is looking forward to getting off the diuretics as soon as he can.
That being said, Jake has already reduced the dosage of his diuretics (unbeknownst to his doctors). Please note that he is monitoring himself pretty carefully, so I am not saying I would recommend that everyone go out and do this yourself... every person is different. His edema is almost completely gone. Occasionally he does experience a small amount of swelling and itching in his legs, but overall it has been reduced considerably. Ultimately I would like to see him completely off Spironolactone, Furosemide and Lactulose, but of course I do NOT want to see him ever develop another bout of hepatic encephalopathy!! I remind Jake, quite often, that eating red meat is more likely to cause encephalopathy, more than NOT taking lactulose!
I should also note that Jake is taking lots of different supplements. He is also using a PEMF machine, because PEMF is shown to help with Liver Disease! UPDATE 2017: We at first were saving up to buy an EarthPulse (because it was cheap) or an iMRS machine, but we ended up purchasing a PEMF machine that is the top of the line, based on the research we had done, and the incredible videos we'd seen on how it affects the liver). It truly was the one we really wanted from the getgo, but it just took us a while to save up for it, and now we are thrilled to have it.
Anyway, I digress... here is a current list of Jake's prescriptions:
| Prescription for: | Recommended dose | What Jake actually takes: |
| Furosemide (Lasix), 80 mg. (used for edema - swelling, fluid build up) | 1 tablet by mouth every day. Although it's written on the bottle that he's supposed to take 80 mg/day, on his last trip to the liver specialist, his nurse practitioner told him he can take half a pill (40 mg/day). | Jake told me he was cutting the pills into quarters, and taking one in the AM and one in the afternoon, but he admitted he would forget to take the one in the afternoon most of the time, so he is really only taking about 20 mg of furosemide per day (in the morning). |
| Spironolactone, 50 mg, (diuretic, antihypertensive) | 1 tablet by mouth, twice a day (50 mg/day) | Jake cuts them in half and just takes 25 mg / day, in the morning. |
| Pantoprazole SOD Dr. 40 Mg. UPDATE!!! RED FLAG, this is NOT AN ANTIBIOTIC!!!! It's a proton pump inhibitor and it gave him MORE scar tissue. Please read THIS POST. | 1 tablet by mouth (40 mg / day), 30 minutes before breakfast (for his stomach... he does take it regularly... someone told him it's like an antibiotic). | He takes this as directed, 40 mg/day. He was told it's an antibiotic and it's supposed to help his stomach. I am very AGAINST antibiotics. Jake wants to get off this one, so we're hoping that at the next Dr's appt they tell him he does not need this one. |
| Lactulose, 10 gm/15 ml solution | 30 ml (2 tablespoons / day) every day | Jake said he only takes 1 1/2 to 2 tbsp at night |
| Digoxin, 250 mcg (for his heart... Jake has atrial fibrillation, which is likely to have been caused by alcohol | 250 mcg (1 tablet) per day (taken in the morning) | He takes this one as recommended (250 mcg / day) |
Thanks Jake, for being willing to share this information with others. : )
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Please note: I am not a doctor and I am only able to tell you what I have learned by doing my own research on the internet, and share with you the things that have worked for my husband. Please remember that Liver Cirrhosis is a very serious disease so I am not saying, do not see a doctor. Doctors have helped my
husband a lot. But I believe it is wise to do as much research as you can, and find out why
they are giving you every one of the medications and treatments they are giving you.
I believe they do not always know about or understand every treatment option that is available,
and there are many good options out there that can help.
Your health is ultimately your own responsibility, above anyone else's.
Best of luck to you!!!
If you have something to share, please feel free to leave a comment on this blog.
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