RA w/ liver problems

November 10, 2006

I was dx'd with RA last June and also discovered that I also have

(HH)hemochromatosis double gene mutation. SO.......my liver might

not be able to handle the meds that I need to take. Currently I am

on sulfasalazine. I was on prednisone for 6 weeks. That was

recently dc'd. I also took plaquenal for 12 weeks but found that I

wasn't feeling well so the doctor dc'd that to see if it was making

me feel awful. I stil felt the same so it probably wasn't the

plaquenal.

My last visit to the rheumy he stated that he wanted to start me on

methytrexate if the hepatologist would permit it. The hepatologist

that I had a consult with stated that he didnot feel that there

would be any problem with any meds that I took. From my research on

HH there will be a problem. I felt like the hepatologist wasn't

taking my medical history both past and future need seriously.

Hemachromatosis is a very under-diagnosed disease. If diagnosed

early enough the damage done to all the organs (not only the liver)

can be prevented. It was fortunate that this was discovered before

any damage had been done.

http://digestive.niddk.nih.gov/ddiseases/pubs/hemochromatosis/index.h

tm#top

Thus, my question to anyone out there.... Is there anyone else that

has a similar problem, either HH or other liver related disorder

that has caused problems with the meds for RA? Currently my liver

tests (enzymes) are within normal range but they have been elavated

in the past, my ferritin is borderline high and the iron sat. rate

is also high.

To make matters worse this week I recieved a call from my primary

care doc stating that my cholesterol is still too high despite

dietary change. I need to start on a statin or other drug to lower

it. Those can also be toxic to liver function. When I see my PC I

will ask for a referral to another hepatologist that will do a liver

biopsy before I start any new meds. (The last one didnot think one

needed to be done.)

I feel very old at the age of 46. (sorry for all the spelling

errors. i can't find the spell check?)

Thanks for reading this far! Brenny

mylajkitten@...

November 11, 2006

I think you are prudent to seek a second

opinion before using medications that may be hard on the liver. I have

had no problem with Methotrexate but it is known to be hard on the liver so it

is recommended that people taking it avoid alcohol or anything else hard on the

liver.

If you might have trouble with the more

conventional medications for RA you might consider antibiotic therapy with

Minocycline or one of its relatives. These might be much easier on the

liver and clinical trials indicate they are about equally effective to the more

common RA medications. Also some people benefit from changes in diet and

nutrition if they either have dietary deficiencies such as vitamin or mineral

deficiencies, or food sensitivity or allergy.

http://www.drcranton.com/elimination_diet.htm

The above link is an example of a diet

that may help to identify whether a food or food group is contributing to your

problems. Either antibiotic treatment or dietary changes can take some

time (several months) to show much effect but if successful is usually devoid

of side effects. Not all rheumatologists are willing to use antibiotic

therapy and usually a nutritionist is better than a rheumatologist for guiding

dietary changes. You might also find some dietary changes that help your

cholesterol levels.

I’m not medically trained but these

are some ideas to discuss with your doctors. God bless.

From: Rheumatoid Arthritis [mailto:Rheumatoid Arthritis ] On Behalf Of Brenny

Sent: Friday, November 10, 2006

3:30 PM

Rheumatoid Arthritis

Subject: RA

w/ liver problems

I was dx'd with RA last June and also discovered that

I also have