Iching

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 12/22/00 8:54:53 PM Pacific Standard Time, DnA1970@... writes:

I am kind of new at all of this (told a few weeks ago that I have AIH. I am not taking any meds at this time (have my first appointment with an hepatologist next month) I am unable to contact my dr. (one of many reasons for the change of dr.) I have been suffering with very bad itching the last couple of days. I had suffered with my scalp itching a few months ago, but that stopped. Has anyone else had this problem. Does anyone know if AIH can cause itching. Does anyone know of an over the counter med that will help. My itching is mainly on my abdomen over my liver area and scalp. Thanks for any help Have a very Merry Christmas.

April

My concern is that you were diagnosed a few weeks ago and that you're not on any meds yet, won't see a hepatologist until next month. Don't wait a day longer than you have to. Yes, the itching is very common, perhaps universal, to the point that is a factor in diagnosis. Others can give you better terminology than I can, but the itching is basically due to your bilirubin levels. Atarax (a prescription drug) can greatly relieve the itching. I was told it was safe to use with liver disease and to take all I needed to. The itching goes away as your treatment progresses. I found pure cornstarch (NOT combined with talc), gently rubbed on, to be sometimes helpful. I used a lambswool duster, bought for the purpose, to lightly brush my skin when I felt I must scratch. However, I think the important thing is to get treatment going to keep your liver in good shape; then the itching will!

quickly vanish. Do ANYTHING you can to see a doctor quickly. This is truly important.

Harper (AIH 5/00, San Francisco)

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 12/22/00 10:19:34 PM Pacific Standard Time, DnA1970@... writes:

Thanks for the information concering thr itching, at least now I know that I am not going off the deep end...

My liver levels last week where back to normal. I have an appointment right after the first of the year with the hepatologist (sp?) With the holidays it has been very hard to find a dr. to see me any

sooner. Thanks for the concern. In fact the reason that I am going to a different Dr. (a specialist) is do to the information that I received from this web site. I don't feel alone now that I have this support site. Please have a very Merry Christmas and again thank you for taking the time to answer my request.

You know, of course, not to drink in the meantime? And, it wouldn't hurt at all to start taking calcium (preferably with Vitamin D) now -- if you start Prednisone, as you probably will, you'll need to keep your bones as strong as possible. Make sure you get a bone density scan right away, for later comparison. Don't let your hep appointment slip; be insistent, ask questions, and keep good records of what medicines you are prescribed and what your test results are, as your doctor just might not have them handy when you need them. What part of the country do you live in?

Have you had a liver biopsy? On what basis was the AIH diagnosis made? I'm sorry, my memory isn't good and I'm too tired or lazy right now to go back through the archives if you can remind me.

Harper (AIH 5/00)

[Guest guest]

I mentioned taking calcium (preferably tablets that include Vitamin D.) While ordinary amounts of calcium are good, DON'T assume that more is better; take only the recommended daily dose. Overdosing on calcium can cause serious kidney problems.

Harper

[Guest guest]

If this is a repeat post please excuse, I didn't know if the first

post went through.

I am kind of new at all of this (told a few weeks ago that I have

AIH.

I am not taking any meds at this time (have my first appointment with

an hepatologist next month) I am unable to contact my dr. (one of

many reasons for the change of dr.) I have been suffering with very

bad itching the last couple of days. I had suffered with my scalp

itching a few months ago, but that stopped. Has anyone else had this

problem. Does anyone know if AIH can cause itching. Does anyone know

of an over the counter med that will help.

My itching is mainly on my abdomen over my liver area and scalp.

Thanks for any help

Have a very Merry Christmas.

April

[Guest guest]

Harper

Thanks for the information concering thr itching, at least now I

know that I am not going off the deep end...

My liver levels last week where back to normal. I have an appointment

right after the first of the year with the hepatologist (sp?) With

the holidays it has been very hard to find a dr. to see me any

sooner.

Thanks for the concern. In fact the reason that I am going to a

different Dr. (a specialist) is do to the information that I received

from this web site. I don't feel alone now that I have this support

site. Please have a very Merry Christmas and again thank you for

taking the time to answer my request.

April

> In a message dated 12/22/00 8:54:53 PM Pacific Standard Time,

> DnA1970@s... writes:

>

> > I am kind of new at all of this (told a few weeks ago that I have

AIH. I

> > am not taking any meds at this time (have my first appointment

with an

> > hepatologist next month) I am unable to contact my dr. (one of

many

> > reasons for the change of dr.) I have been suffering with very

bad itching

> > the last couple of days. I had suffered with my scalp itching a

few months

> > ago, but that stopped. Has anyone else had this problem. Does

anyone know

> > if AIH can cause itching. Does anyone know

> > of an over the counter med that will help. My itching is mainly

on

my

> > abdomen over my liver area and scalp. Thanks for any help Have

a

very

> > Merry Christmas.

> > April

> >

>

> My concern is that you were diagnosed a few weeks ago and that

you're not on

> any meds yet, won't see a hepatologist until next month. Don't

wait

a day

> longer than you have to. Yes, the itching is very common, perhaps

universal,

> to the point that is a factor in diagnosis. Others can give you

better

> terminology than I can, but the itching is basically due to your

bilirubin

> levels. Atarax (a prescription drug) can greatly relieve the

itching. I was

> told it was safe to use with liver disease and to take all I needed

to. The

> itching goes away as your treatment progresses. I found pure

cornstarch (NOT

> combined with talc), gently rubbed on, to be sometimes helpful. I

used a

> lambswool duster, bought for the purpose, to lightly brush my skin

when I

> felt I must scratch. However, I think the important thing is to

get

> treatment going to keep your liver in good shape; then the itching

will

> quickly vanish. Do ANYTHING you can to see a doctor quickly. This

is truly

> important.

> Harper (AIH 5/00, San Francisco)

[Guest guest]

Yes, itching is a very common symptom of liver disease, though usually it starts with the palms and soles of the feet. It's good that you are seeing a hepatologist. Get a copy of your blood tests and fax them to your new doc, perhaps you'll be able to get in sooner. You should keep copies of all of your labs so you can track the progress, anyway.

Don

Terradon Unlimited

http://www.TerradonUnlimited.com

"People who ask me how we can still have such a positive attitude after all we’ve been through, have it all wrong…We’ve been able to get through all that we have BECAUSE we have a positive attitude". Don Hanson 8/2000

-----Original Message-----From: DnA1970@... [mailto:DnA1970@...]Sent: Friday, December 22, 2000 10:44 PM egroupsSubject: [ ] IchingIf this is a repeat post please excuse, I didn't know if the first post went through.I am kind of new at all of this (told a few weeks ago that I haveAIH. I am not taking any meds at this time (have my first appointment with an hepatologist next month) I am unable to contact my dr. (one of many reasons for the change of dr.) I have been suffering with very bad itching the last couple of days. I had suffered with my scalp itching a few months ago, but that stopped. Has anyone else had this problem. Does anyone know if AIH can cause itching. Does anyone know of an over the counter med that will help. My itching is mainly on my abdomen over my liver area and scalp. Thanks for any helpHave a very Merry Christmas.April

[Guest guest]

>Never drank before, although sometimes now I think maybe I should

have a few... just kidding.

Sorry about this being so long, but you asked and I need someone to

listen.

About three months or more ago I suddenly became very sick, very bad

pain on my right side, fever, so sick that my husband

took me to the ER. They did blood work and said that my liver levels

where very high ( one was 800 the other 900) they

thought I had hep A. all the Hep panels came back neg. Than the

fatigue set in. Than muscle weakness and pain. Low grade

fever for about a month. Breathing problem (hard to explain, it's

like

sobbing but I do it all the time and I am not crying) More

blood work showed that my ANA was very high and I had a needle biopsy

that show some undetermined inflammation. (The liver biopsy was not

very helpful.) This 1st dr. said AIH, I went to 2nd dr. (Gastro) he

thought AIH or Lupus, sent me to a 3rd dr, also said AIH and has

taken

me off work. He said that the needle biopsy is just looking at a

small

section of my liver and that maybe why it did not really show much.

Now, My liver levels ( at last blood test) where back in normal

range,

my ANA is still positive. The fatigue is better but I don't do much

of

anything, if I do try to be active I get real tired and fatigue sets

in. The breathing problem is still there but less. All 3 dr. after

looking at me, reading my test, taking more blood work, have decided

that I am AIH. I am a little unsure about the 3rd dr treatment.

Because my liver levels have returned to normal, aside from

rest, a diet that is low in sugar, salt,caffine and fat , restrict

intake of red meat, and to stay out of the sun, try to get in a

little

exercise that is all the treatment that he has given me. He wants me

off work for 3 to4 months ( i have a very stressful job) i am

to return to him in about 2 wks. Now because this is so confusing,

my

test results changing, feeling a little better with no meds.

I question what they all are saying.

2rd doctor says that my liver level (if I have AIH) should NOT go

back

to normal with out any meds. 1st and 3rd dr.says, YES sometimes your

liver level can go back down to normal without meds, but can go back

up also.

1st. one thinks they have caught the AIH in the early stage, he

wanted

to start me on low amount of pred.

The only thing is that after all 3 dr. reviewed my chart, taken new

blood work, an exam, they all agree that I have AIH.

I have made an appointment with a recommended hepatologist, the

soonest I can see him is for the end of Jan.

Now this itching has started. The uncomfortable feeling on my right

side, by my liver area, has returned, it doesn't hurt just feels

as though it is tight or swollen.

I think this really started about 1 yr ago, I started to notice

changes in myself, unable to complete work (at home and office).

Just

felt like I didn't want to do much of anything at first I had all

kinds of excuses for the change, I am getting older, job has become

harder, house is too large, husband not helping as much, so on and so

on. None of it really true. Went to the dr. (gp) 2 or 3xs

complaining of fatigue and actually once went into the hospital with

chest pains,they put me though a lot of test, all test came

back neg. Than started having very bad itching on my scalp, (never

went to dr about that)changed shampoos and hair products thinking

that

would help. Itching stopped after a few weeks. I have never been

more

confused in all my life about anything. At times when I feel better

for a few days I think I must be imaging my problems, than WHAM!--

the

fatique and feeling as though I am dying comes back and I say no this

is not my imagination. At least now I have stopped crying over this,

my husband has been really supportive in all of this but I really

can't tell him what I am feeling or thinking it's hard for him or any

one else to understand, when they ask what are you feeling and you

tell them it feels like you are dying and they just look at you like

you are crazy, or you tell them today I feel really good today or

when

my liver test came back normal they just look at you as though you

are

crazy. I told my husband one day, really I am not lying about this

and started to cry that is when I think he understood what I was

going

through When this first happened all I wanted was a dr to tell me no

nothing is wrong with you, just get some rest and things will

go away. Now I am going to the hepatologist and what ever he says I

am

going to go with, this is just more than I can handle. I read on this

site someone say that if we had cancer people would be stepping over

themselves to help but with AIH it's not that why, how true!

Hey thanks for listening (or should I say reading) it seems to help

to

write it out. I hope things are ok for you. I hope you have

a very Merry Christmas and the New Year is good to you.

also I had a bone scan about 4 months ago and I already take calcium,

yes, we are asking for copies every time I have a test and keeping a

file. (some of the drs. don't like that)

Once again thank you very much for asking

April Rains (honest I married a Rains funny huh)

In a message dated 12/22/00 10:19:34 PM Pacific Standard Time,

> DnA1970@s... writes:

>

>

> > Thanks for the information concering thr itching, at least now I

> > know that I am not going off the deep end...

> > My liver levels last week where back to normal. I have an

appointment

> > right after the first of the year with the hepatologist (sp?)

With

> > the holidays it has been very hard to find a dr. to see me any

> > sooner.

> > Thanks for the concern. In fact the reason that I am going to a

> > different Dr. (a specialist) is do to the information that I

received

> > from this web site. I don't feel alone now that I have this

support

> > site. Please have a very Merry Christmas and again thank you for

> >

>

> You know, of course, not to drink in the meantime? And, it

wouldn't

hurt at

> all to start taking calcium (preferably with Vitamin D) now -- if

you start

> Prednisone, as you probably will, you'll need to keep your bones as

strong as

> possible. Make sure you get a bone density scan right away, for

later

> comparison. Don't let your hep appointment slip; be insistent, ask

> questions, and keep good records of what medicines you are

prescribed and

> what your test results are, as your doctor just might not have them

handy

> when you need them. What part of the country do you live in?

>

> Have you had a liver biopsy? On what basis was the AIH diagnosis

made? I'm

> sorry, my memory isn't good and I'm too tired or lazy right now to

go back

> through the archives if you can remind me.

> Harper (AIH 5/00)

[Guest guest]

Liver problems cause itching. Sometimes im so itchy I think im nuts, lol and my scalp dosnt itch anymore, but it did and then I said no itching but a little, than none. that helped. now if I could apply thatmethod to smoking and diet pepsi!

Christi

[Guest guest]

Don you talk about the itching on palms and feet, and Im sure most of us have had that problem, But do any of you have BEET RED palms and feet? People ask me what it is all the time. I dont think I have Raynaunds being as my hands are always warm! Do any of you know about this?

Christi

[Guest guest]

Hi April, you have similar symptoms and problems I first exibited, Stressful job, fatuige so bad I couldnt get out of bed! When I first presented a doctor 6 years ago, they thought I was nuts, than blood showed hig liver counts, thought it was hep a,b, or c came back Neg, sent me home, had low grade fevers, muscle and joint pain, mood disturbences (wich they thought was manic deppression), skin discolorizations etc. than about 4 years later (97 I suppose) I had positive ANA, but they still werent sure about Lupus. Than in summer of 98 I had a positive papsmere, they rushed a hysterectomy (I was 30 at the time) they found 14 cysts, endrometriosis, than after the biopsy, early cervical cancer. Than a summer later they found my gallbladder went into total failure. I even grew so weak I was in a wheelchair for a bit, Than I met a doctor who strongly believed I had Lupus!

and started treating me with Lupus medications (Plaquinil, nueronti for seizures, celebrex, among others), I got better, I went back to work, and my liver went nuts! I was started on Prednison, which has since taken my counts back to normal. I had an unremarkable liver biopsy, but since the prdnison took my counts back to normal, and a positive anti smooth (which when taken 3 weeks ago also was back to normal), my doctor is treating me as a positive LUPUS and AIH, I have been doing better. So I guess my point is both diseases cause positive ANA, Anti smooth, etc. since I have clinical findings for both, I am considered to have both. So you may have both, you may have one of them. In Lupus you have to meet I think 5 of 11 clinical critera, and with AIH (someone correct me if Im wrong), you must have 3 clinical findings. So before they decide, make sure they go over the diagnosis critera for both, and find a ruemotologist as w!

ell as a heptologist (which I dont have at this time) I didnt mean to scare you, just that you need all information, and know that you should also consult a good reumotolgist.

christi

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 12/23/00 3:57:32 PM Pacific Standard Time, christibro33@... writes:

Don you talk about the itching on palms and feet, and Im sure most of us have had that problem, But do any of you have BEET RED palms and feet? People ask me what it is all the time. I dont think I have Raynaunds being as my hands are always warm! Do any of you know about this? Christi

Before I began Prednisone my palms were intensely red, even when they didn't itch (which wasn't often.) Harper (AIH)

[Guest guest]

Harper, Even with prednison my palms and feet are bright red! lol. they are so bad that even kids ask me what it is.

christi

[Guest guest]

April...... Is it possible that you may have PBC?.... Itching (pruritis)

is a symptom of many conditions not just liver diseases.... however I`m

not so sure that itching is an indication of AIH, but rather a disease

more closely involving bile secretion like PBC...where the bile ducts

get bummed up...the meds. given for PBC (Actigal.etc) are completly

different than prednisone... you wouldn`t want to be misdiagnosed...

many of us here seem to have that problem .... any of you here with PBC

agree with me?

I have AIH and have no pruritis however I`m very familiar with it as I

suffered from it pre-transplant as part of the symptoms of latter stage

cirhosis.

I`m not a doctor so.....

But from reading those posts from those with PBC and my own research AIH

doesn`t normally include itching as an indicator.

Just wondering

Jerry

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 12/23/00 5:03:57 PM Pacific Standard Time, lrb@... writes:

I was diagnosed with a sub-type AIH--AI- cholangiopathy--but that was a long story and a few misdiagnoses. I've been itching horribly for months. I have bloody sores all over my body. There isn't much out there to help. Alveeno oatmeal bath. Trazadone (rx)helps me sleep inspite of the itch. Zyrtec (antihistamine) helps a little. I know it's miserable. It actually feels better once you scratch the skin off since the burning and stinging are preferable to the itching. A cream or lotion with a minty bite also helps some. Good luck. Actigal or Ursodial should (rx) help; a lot of people use that. My doc. doesn't want me on it right now. Itching is definitely worse at night. Good luck. Get your doctor working on it. ;-] CBerg1

Can you use Atarax, commonly prescribed for skin allergies? My gastroenterologist prescribed heavy doses of it. Helped enormously for me.

Harper

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 12/23/00 6:37:55 PM Pacific Standard Time, nneW5@... writes:

nne

Thanks nne,

I first presented a doctor with red palms over 5 years ago, when my liver problems first started. They always ask me What is wrong with your palms? My reply is: your the doctor tell me... Now the doctors I have are more used to seeing red palms, but they get suprised by the brightness, and the fact that it NEVER goes away. Oh well. lol

Merry Christmas,

Christi

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 12/23/00 6:49:17 PM Pacific Standard Time, flatcat9@... writes:

Harper

Please be very careul with your itching! Last December I landed myself in the hospital for 13 days from the itching. I practically scratched my skin off, and got an extream infection, that required 13 days of IV antibiotics. I dont do it as much now, but when I do I do it to rawness, and reailize quickly that I must use a steroid based skin cream.

Dont land yourself in the hospital from itching and scratching.

Christi

[Guest guest]

DnA1970@... wrote:

If this is a repeat post please excuse, I didn't

know if the first

post went through.

I am kind of new at all of this (told a few weeks ago that I have

AIH.

I am not taking any meds at this time (have my first appointment with

an hepatologist next month) I am unable to contact my dr. (one

of

many reasons for the change of dr.) I have been suffering with

very

bad itching the last couple of days. I had suffered with my scalp

itching a few months ago, but that stopped. Has anyone else had

this

problem. Does anyone know if AIH can cause itching. Does

anyone know

of an over the counter med that will help.

My itching is mainly on my abdomen over my liver area and scalp.

Thanks for any help

Have a very Merry Christmas.

April

-------------------------- eGroups Sponsor -------------------------~-~>

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[Guest guest]

Christi,

In one of the articles I read about AIH, red palms was listed as a

symptom of AIH..I too have that, although not all the time ...don't

know if that means I have it as a symptom of AIH..or I just have

red palms from time to time..lol

nne

> Don you talk about the itching on palms and feet, and Im sure most

of us have

> had that problem, But do any of you have BEET RED palms and feet?

People ask

> me what it is all the time. I dont think I have Raynaunds being as

my hands

> are always warm! Do any of you know about this?

> Christi

[Guest guest]

April,

So much of what you describe sounds familiar. I know how frustrating

it can be knowing something is wrong, but having the professionals

think it must be all in your head; or you just dont know how to

describe the symptoms accurately enough to fit their preconceived

diagnosis.

Sounds as if you also have discovered the support here that is so

important; and support coming from people who understand what you

experience. It makes a difference. I know it has for me; I dont feel

quite so...ummmm...weird anymore!..LOL

Hang in there. Keep asking the questions of the docs, and, of course,

keep posting here so we know how you are doing. Have a great

Christmas!

nne

>

> >Never drank before, although sometimes now I think maybe I should

> have a few... just kidding.

> Sorry about this being so long, but you asked and I need someone to

> listen.

> About three months or more ago I suddenly became very sick, very bad

> pain on my right side, fever, so sick that my husband

> took me to the ER. They did blood work and said that my liver

levels

> where very high ( one was 800 the other 900) they

> thought I had hep A. all the Hep panels came back neg. Than the

> fatigue set in. Than muscle weakness and pain. Low grade

> fever for about a month. Breathing problem (hard to explain, it's

> like

> sobbing but I do it all the time and I am not crying) More

> blood work showed that my ANA was very high and I had a needle

biopsy

> that show some undetermined inflammation. (The liver biopsy was not

> very helpful.) This 1st dr. said AIH, I went to 2nd dr. (Gastro) he

> thought AIH or Lupus, sent me to a 3rd dr, also said AIH and has

> taken

> me off work. He said that the needle biopsy is just looking at a

> small

> section of my liver and that maybe why it did not really show much.

> Now, My liver levels ( at last blood test) where back in normal

> range,

> my ANA is still positive. The fatigue is better but I don't do much

> of

> anything, if I do try to be active I get real tired and fatigue sets

> in. The breathing problem is still there but less. All 3 dr. after

> looking at me, reading my test, taking more blood work, have decided

> that I am AIH. I am a little unsure about the 3rd dr treatment.

> Because my liver levels have returned to normal, aside from

> rest, a diet that is low in sugar, salt,caffine and fat , restrict

> intake of red meat, and to stay out of the sun, try to get in a

> little

> exercise that is all the treatment that he has given me. He wants

me

> off work for 3 to4 months ( i have a very stressful job) i am

> to return to him in about 2 wks. Now because this is so confusing,

> my

> test results changing, feeling a little better with no meds.

> I question what they all are saying.

> 2rd doctor says that my liver level (if I have AIH) should NOT go

> back

> to normal with out any meds. 1st and 3rd dr.says, YES sometimes your

> liver level can go back down to normal without meds, but can go back

> up also.

> 1st. one thinks they have caught the AIH in the early stage, he

> wanted

> to start me on low amount of pred.

> The only thing is that after all 3 dr. reviewed my chart, taken new

> blood work, an exam, they all agree that I have AIH.

> I have made an appointment with a recommended hepatologist, the

> soonest I can see him is for the end of Jan.

> Now this itching has started. The uncomfortable feeling on my right

> side, by my liver area, has returned, it doesn't hurt just feels

> as though it is tight or swollen.

>

> I think this really started about 1 yr ago, I started to notice

> changes in myself, unable to complete work (at home and office).

> Just

> felt like I didn't want to do much of anything at first I had all

> kinds of excuses for the change, I am getting older, job has

become

> harder, house is too large, husband not helping as much, so on and

so

> on. None of it really true. Went to the dr. (gp) 2 or 3xs

> complaining of fatigue and actually once went into the hospital with

> chest pains,they put me though a lot of test, all test came

> back neg. Than started having very bad itching on my scalp, (never

> went to dr about that)changed shampoos and hair products thinking

> that

> would help. Itching stopped after a few weeks. I have never been

> more

> confused in all my life about anything. At times when I feel better

> for a few days I think I must be imaging my problems, than WHAM!--

> the

> fatique and feeling as though I am dying comes back and I say no

this

> is not my imagination. At least now I have stopped crying over this,

> my husband has been really supportive in all of this but I really

> can't tell him what I am feeling or thinking it's hard for him or

any

> one else to understand, when they ask what are you feeling and you

> tell them it feels like you are dying and they just look at you like

> you are crazy, or you tell them today I feel really good today or

> when

> my liver test came back normal they just look at you as though you

> are

> crazy. I told my husband one day, really I am not lying about this

> and started to cry that is when I think he understood what I was

> going

> through When this first happened all I wanted was a dr to tell me no

> nothing is wrong with you, just get some rest and things will

> go away. Now I am going to the hepatologist and what ever he says I

> am

> going to go with, this is just more than I can handle. I read on

this

> site someone say that if we had cancer people would be stepping over

> themselves to help but with AIH it's not that why, how true!

> Hey thanks for listening (or should I say reading) it seems to help

> to

> write it out. I hope things are ok for you. I hope you have

> a very Merry Christmas and the New Year is good to you.

> also I had a bone scan about 4 months ago and I already take

calcium,

> yes, we are asking for copies every time I have a test and keeping a

> file. (some of the drs. don't like that)

> Once again thank you very much for asking

> April Rains (honest I married a Rains funny huh)

>

>

>

> In a message dated 12/22/00 10:19:34 PM Pacific Standard Time,

> > DnA1970@s... writes:

> >

> >

> > > Thanks for the information concering thr itching, at least now I

> > > know that I am not going off the deep end...

> > > My liver levels last week where back to normal. I have an

> appointment

> > > right after the first of the year with the hepatologist (sp?)

> With

> > > the holidays it has been very hard to find a dr. to see me any

> > > sooner.

> > > Thanks for the concern. In fact the reason that I am going to a

> > > different Dr. (a specialist) is do to the information that I

> received

> > > from this web site. I don't feel alone now that I have this

> support

> > > site. Please have a very Merry Christmas and again thank you

for

> > >

> >

> > You know, of course, not to drink in the meantime? And, it

> wouldn't

> hurt at

> > all to start taking calcium (preferably with Vitamin D) now -- if

> you start

> > Prednisone, as you probably will, you'll need to keep your bones

as

> strong as

> > possible. Make sure you get a bone density scan right away, for

> later

> > comparison. Don't let your hep appointment slip; be insistent,

ask

> > questions, and keep good records of what medicines you are

> prescribed and

> > what your test results are, as your doctor just might not have

them

> handy

> > when you need them. What part of the country do you live in?

> >

> > Have you had a liver biopsy? On what basis was the AIH diagnosis

> made? I'm

> > sorry, my memory isn't good and I'm too tired or lazy right now to

> go back

> > through the archives if you can remind me.

> > Harper (AIH 5/00)

[Guest guest]

Don, My reumotologist always looks at my hands, and notes it also. I know she does because she comments on it every time.

Christi

[Guest guest]

Yes, red, mottled palms is also a symptom. My hep always checks and notes that I have it.

Don

Terradon Unlimited

http://www.TerradonUnlimited.com

"People who ask me how we can still have such a positive attitude after all we’ve been through, have it all wrong…We’ve been able to get through all that we have BECAUSE we have a positive attitude". Don Hanson 8/2000

-----Original Message-----From: christibro33@... [mailto:christibro33@...]Sent: Saturday, December 23, 2000 5:54 PM egroupsSubject: Re: [ ] IchingDon you talk about the itching on palms and feet, and Im sure most of us have had that problem, But do any of you have BEET RED palms and feet? People ask me what it is all the time. I dont think I have Raynaunds being as my hands are always warm! Do any of you know about this? Christi

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 12/24/00 1:22:44 PM Pacific Standard Time, gefox@... writes:

AIH doesn`t normally include itching as an indicator.

Good question -- thanks.. I'll need to check on that for my own benefit, as my diagnosis is AIH, and I itched madly for months, with red palms. (The itching and red palms vanished soon after I began treatment.) I want to make sure my diagnosis is accurate, too.

Happy holidays. And other days.

Harper

[Guest guest]

Harper et al ..... Itching and red palms.....(palmar erythea) are

commonly inicative of liver diseases not necessarily

AIH... they can indicate cirrhosis... the itching is from bile that has

secreted into te skin as the liver functions are compromised by scarring

and inflamation... the red palms are thought to be due to hepatic-portal

hypertension which causes blood paths to become erratic.... i think the

red palms are akin to spider veins and rosacea..... which commonly occur

in alcoholic cirrhosis.. blood is hindered by blockages in the damaged

liver and the resulting backed up pressure manifests itself in the

smaller vessels.... i.e. esophageal and gastric varices.....

When the tissue of the bile ducts are dammaged to a point where the bile

can`t flow properly then it oozes out into the body and produces itching

and shows its yellow pigmentation (jaundice) The itching is more apt to

be a symptom of something like PBC or cholangitis or it occurs in

advanced cirrhosis as the scarring becomes worse. AIH is as we know our

body attacking our own hepacytes but not necessarily the cells of the

biliary tract.

PBC and AIH have different medical treatments.

Jerry

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 12/24/00 9:03:26 PM Pacific Standard Time, gefox@... writes:

spider veins and rosacea

i have the red palms and feet, not these

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 12/25/00 5:19:31 PM Pacific Standard Time, nneW5@... writes:

spider veins and rosacea...

A year or so ago I noticed I had spider veins on my face. (I have very, very pale skin.) People were always commenting on my lovely color, but when I looked in the mirror I could see the "lovely color" was tiny spider veins, invisible under makeup. I decided to have them removed by my HMO, purely for cosmetic reasons. The tiny spider veins do come back over time, especially if you have a bad cough, and I'd meant to splurge and have another cosmetic round this year. How very trivial that seems now!

Harper