A post from /was away on vacation

[Guest guest]

My name is Blair and I had been a member of the Liver Support

group

since 2000. Recently we were on vacation and forgot to stop my e-

mails

while gone. Our box became full and therefore I suppose we were

unable

to

receive these e-mails. I received a message that I had been removed

from

the subscribing list. I immediately began working on this. I have

truly

enjoyed my years with this group. It looks like today I have been

restored

with the e-mails and I want to thank you so much.

I was diagnosed with AIH in Sept. 2004 after many years of symptoms

and

treatment from chronic fatigue syndrome to fibromyalgia to many other

suspects. However, in June of 2000, I awoke one morning with

jaundice.

I

immediately called my primary care physician and for whom I worked.

She had

a GB ultrasound done, thinking it was probably a blocked duct. This

proved

to be normal. She then did metabolic testing and my liver enzymes

were

extremely elevated. At that time she felt it was probably from the

Celebrex

she had prescribed for me due to my many joint pains. We waited

approximately 2 weeks to see if the enzymes would start coming down

after

d/c the Celebrex. They did not. She then referred me to a GI. He

did

a

liver biopsy and AIH was confirmed. I had a bleed from the biopsy

and

this

was the worst pain I have ever experienced. He then sent me to Duke

University Medical Center where I am still being cared for. I feel I

have

received excellent care there. I also still see my GI doc in

Asheville, NC.

I live in n, NC, approximately 45 miles from Asheville and

approximately 2 l/2 hours from Duke. Thankfully, I have responded

well

to

Prednisone. I have come out of remission twice. I was placed on

Imuran but

developed pancreatitis and can never take that again. This past

April

I

again came out of remission after being on 5 mg. of Prednisone for

quite a

while. My doc at Duke put me on CellCept and so far I am doing well

with

that. My liver enzymes are still within normal range at this time

but

seem

to be creeping up each time I have lab work done. I am down to 4 mg.

of

Prednisone and his goal and mine is to try and get me off the

Prednisone. I

have quit my job due to my docs recommendation with being on the

CellCept.

I worked for a Family Practice group for 22 years. When I quit work,

I

was

Human Resource Director there after being in several other positions

over

the years. I loved my job and really miss it. I have filed for SSD

but

haven't heard but should hear before long. I quit work in May of

this

year.

I am drawing my disability with my employer at this time. That

company

has

a contracted company called Allsup which is based in IL which goes to

bat

for me and is trying to get my SSD. They have been wonderful whether

I

am

approved by SSD or not. I would highly recommend this company to

others

seeking SSD. Their rate of success is 95-99% in getting SSD for their

clients. If I am turned down by SSD, they will appeal it for me.

Naturally, I have a lot of paper work to send to them.

I seldom post with this group but have gleaned so much info from

everyone

else. Thank you for this group and for allowing me to be a part of

it.

I

know of no one else in my area with AIH and it has really helped.

Also, my

doc at Duke recommends this site highly to his patients.

H. Blair

n, NC