Re: reply 2 Sierra - liver enzymes

[Guest guest]

After an experience I had with a doctor here, I have to say that

doctors seem to react to liver enzyme elevation very

differently. When I first moved to Florida I had to find a new

rheumy. I told him that I had tried mtx in the past, but it had

increased my liver enzymes and I stopped taking it. He wanted to try

it again and I agreed since in combination with Enbrel it was so

effective.

After a few months as in the past, my enzymes increased. He scheduled

me for a liver biopsy, refused to refill my pain meds (they are hard

on the liver)

referred me to a pain management specialist and a

gastroenterologist. He examined me and said my liver was enlarged

(even though

I repeatedly told him he was pushing on my lower rib cage and was

hurting me).

I walked out of there stunned. My husband had died of liver cancer,

so you can imagine what was going through my mind. I went to

my primary and she examined me and said my liver was fine. She

scheduled an ultrasound just to be safe. It was fine.

But what really puzzled her was the fact that my enzymes were only

SLIGHTLY above normal, which is perfectly NORMAL for someone

on RA meds. The articles I've read say that levels 2-3 times above

the normal limit is acceptable during mtx therapy for RA.

I guess you know that I found a new doctor ASAP. I just wonder if

this was the clinic's way of making more money by referring me

to 3 different specialists and getting me a liver biopsy.

a

On Mar 15, 2006, at 4:04 PM, Gardenia blossoms wrote:

> Sierra,

>

> I am having a problem with that right now. The enzymes have been

> elevated for 2 months now or close to it. Initially, they didn't

> think they were all that high. Yet, the meds have been stopped. I

> took mtx while enzymes were considered high, but was immediately

> stopped by the doctor afterwards. They have been just watching the

> enzymes levels now. So far not coming down. However, I wouldn't

> second guess something like that. What do your doctors think? Not

> many liver donors out there. If you are still young and have small

> children you would like to see make it to adulthood, I would take

> care with the health of the liver. I actually asked for injection

> of mtx my last visit, and the doctor didn't want to give me the mtx

> until my enzymes start coming down. So elevated enzymes must be

> pretty serious. Hopefully, your levels come down soon.

>

> take care.

> Ebony

>

>

[Guest guest]

You know these docs are so confusing sometimes. When you think they

will jump out there chairs to respond to a problem...they blow you

off...on the other hand when its no big deal the over react.

Sometimes this is so frustrating. I wonder if I am really getting

the care I need. Its sooo hard to stay balanced between meds, labs

and how we feel.

Toni

>

> > Sierra,

> >

> > I am having a problem with that right now. The enzymes have

been

> > elevated for 2 months now or close to it. Initially, they

didn't

> > think they were all that high. Yet, the meds have been stopped.

I

> > took mtx while enzymes were considered high, but was immediately

> > stopped by the doctor afterwards. They have been just watching

the

> > enzymes levels now. So far not coming down. However, I

wouldn't

> > second guess something like that. What do your doctors think?

Not

> > many liver donors out there. If you are still young and have

small

> > children you would like to see make it to adulthood, I would

take

> > care with the health of the liver. I actually asked for

injection

> > of mtx my last visit, and the doctor didn't want to give me the

mtx

> > until my enzymes start coming down. So elevated enzymes must be

> > pretty serious. Hopefully, your levels come down soon.

> >

> > take care.

> > Ebony

> >

> >

>