Husband Took Antibiotics and Now Has Bad Cirrotic Symptoms

[Julia Dee]

My husband was treated for Hep C in 2015-2016 with six months of Harvoni. He has been feeling well and was in the early stage of Cirrhosis. He had varices- 2 in his upper tract. About a week ago he went to the VA Clinic and was prescribed Amoxicillin and Clavulanic Acid combination for bronchitis. We were both very ill with it and he went by himself. I always remind them when I am along that he has cirrhosis and ask will this or that medication be OK.

He took the anti-biotic for ten days. About 4 days later he told me blood was in his stool, and a couple of days later his pulse went from it's normal rate of 65-70 to 90.
I am very worried. I looked up that antibiotic and it says it's one of the worse for people with cirrhosis. I asked my husband if he had reminded them of his condition. He said that he just assumed they would look at his chart and that the Doctor signed the prescription. They see so many people though- I think they don't remember people from visit to visit, don't pay enough attention,  and he does not go there much.

[Lynn K]

If it is bright red blood that is from lower down could just be hemorrhoids.  What you really want to look out for is dark black tarry stool which is blood that comes from higher up in the digestive track. Not sure a slightly elevated heart rate would be a symptom.

But either way he should get that checked out.

Don't know if you saw this specific article it lists some of the symptoms if he is having a reaction.

They list some symptoms such as “The onset is typically with fatigue, low grade fever, nausea and abdominal pain, followed by pruritus and jaundice.”

https://livertox.nlm.nih.gov/AmoxicillinClavulanate.htm

He should probably call for advice and see a doctor ASAP to be evaluated and get a safer antibiotic prescribed.

I had an antibiotic prescribed once that I looked up and found it was not safe for liver patients so I called in to get something else. My prescription was from a nurse practitioner who I had informed about my cirrhosis.

We often have to look out for ourselves.

Sorry this is going on best of luck to you both.

[Julia Dee]

If it is bright red blood that is from lower down could just be hemorrhoids.  What you really want to look out for is dark black tarry stool which is blood that comes from higher up in the digestive track. Not sure a slightly elevated heart rate would be a symptom.

But either way he should get that checked out.

Don't know if you saw this specific article it lists some of the symptoms if he is having a reaction.

They list some symptoms such as “The onset is typically with fatigue, low grade fever, nausea and abdominal pain, followed by pruritus and jaundice.”

https://livertox.nlm.nih.gov/AmoxicillinClavulanate.htm

He should probably call for advice and see a doctor ASAP to be evaluated and get a safer antibiotic prescribed.

I had an antibiotic prescribed once that I looked up and found it was not safe for liver patients so I called in to get something else. My prescription was from a nurse practitioner who I had informed about my cirrhosis.

We often have to look out for ourselves.

Sorry this is going on best of luck to you both.

Thank you, Lynn for all your help. If I hadn't been so ill I would have looked it up myself, but just assumed after all this time that my husband would make sure and not just assume that the medical staff would get it right. He wasn't as ill as I was with the flu/bronchitis. I have made an appointment for him to be checked over. Maybe I should have had him take more control of his medical info, etc. He is kind of like a child about such things and would let a lot just go, so I am the one to research, ask questions, etc.

You are such a wonderful person, always so generous with you time, help, and knowledge. I read some on the thread you made about being discouraged when a NP (I think it was) told you that your liver would probably not regenerate after the Hep C was cured. I am so glad to  see you are still doing well/holding steady. I hope the medical professional you are with now is better for you.

[Lynn K]

Thanks for your kind words yeah a NP she said she expected I would continue to decline in health even with cure because I have had cirrhosis for so long of a time 10 years now

I have since followed my prior doctor who had changed from that practice to a different one. I doubt I will improve as does my hepatologist but she believe at least I will stay where I am and not get any worse unless I get HCC so that is good enough for now. If I do improve that would be awesome but the status quo is on too. Just the NP said she expected I would eventually succumb to liver diesease and at some point be in need of a transplant. That was very disappointing news and my doctor does not agree so I am going with that.

Hope your husband gets in to see someone ASAP the bleeding is not a good thing especiallyif itisdark yarry stools that really is an emergency for someone with ESLD if you are familiar with the life threatening consequences of esophageal varicies. So hopefully it is simply hemorrhoids.

 

[I fightis thetitis]

Hi Julia Dee,

So sorry to hear about this and I hope your husband is getting better.
I too was cured in 2015/16 and have mild cirrhosis. A dentist prescribed Amoxicillin after an infection.
I checked and that antibiotic is not recommended when severe fibrosis is present.

I found other anti's that are supposed to be easier on the liver as the kidneys can take up the burden. However, after some exhaustive research I elected to forgo all antibiotics for now as the risk w/ advanced liver disease seems high.

Lynn I think your new Dr is right. I bet you are healing everyday!
Also have you been following the Alpha Lipoic Acid's effect on fibrosis?
Seems promising. I have been taking for years but not in the high doses.

Good luck and health to all!

Greg   

[Lynn K]

Hey Greg thanks for the tip I will check it out. Meanwhile, I gust got on a med for mild hypertension. I suggested if ok with her we try COZAAR (losartan potassium) as I had seen some studies that indicate it may help with fibrosis. Since I need a BP med anyway hope to get a twofer from it.

Seems to have been the ticket for the BP will see if it helps with anything else. :-)