Doc Visit Today - Biopsy Scheduled

[Guest guest]

Hi and nne, I have had aih for a couple of years now. At the

present, I am in remission. I couldn't make it without medicine and now I

am on 75mg of imuran. I have been off the steroids for 6 months now, doing

fine, except joint pains. Im still hunting for information on this. I am

claiming that God healed me and at the present I believe that.

Remember what ever happens to us, he is with us.

Bobbie

[ ] Re: Doc Visit Today - Biopsy Scheduled

> Hi ,

>

> I also saw my doc on Tuesday; I will be having my biopsy one week

> after yours..we'll have to compare notes!

>

> My situation is similar. Originally, last summer when I first had

> acute hep, they thought it was drug induced (in my case an

> antibiotic); the antibody test was negative @ that time. Although the

> enzymes dropped, they never did return to normal. I had a 2nd acute

> attack in October. While waiting for the tests to come back, I read

> Palmer's book. When I got to the chapter on Autoimmune Hep,

> I just knew that was me. I felt kind of numb @ first. I started

> researching more info about it on the net, and by the time the doc

> called with the info that I was positive for the antibodies, I was not

> in such a state of shock. At least I felt like I knew what the doc

> was talking about. Learn more about it...if it is not so mysterious,

> it is not quite as scary. And you feel like when the doctor talks

> with you, @ least you understand half of what is said, and for what

> you do not, at least you have a starting point for questions.

>

> I responded well to the prednisone initially, dropping from over

> 1000 ALT to 277 in 3 weeks. But 3 weeks after THAT, it went back up

> to 738. Even now, I am still that high even after he increased the

> prednisone. My doc wants to do the liver biopsy to get a more complete

> picture, then start me on additional meds. Overall, he is very

> optimistic, just feels that prednisone alone wont do the trick for me.

>

> So, while waiting for your tests, learn a little about it, and start

> your list of questions. Will you be seeing the doc again before your

> biopsy? If so, get ready to bombard him! I will be thinking of you on

> the 19th.

>

>

> > Hello to my fellow liver friends,

> >

> > I had my doc visit today to get the results of the blood work I had

> > done last week. It seems the liver function tests are much higher

> > than last month. He was shocked, as was I! AST went from 47 to

> > 232. ALT went from 99 to 278. I am having more blood work done

> > tomorrow morning (the antibody tests, not sure what those are), and

> > then a biopsy on the 19th. I was hoping the tests would still be

> > going down a bit, so it was quite a surprise to me. He called the

> > hepatologist I saw in the hospital and they talked for awhile about

> > my case. They are now thinking it wasn't the tylenol after all.

> I'm

> > scared....not about the biopsy, but the results. Any words of

> > encouragement would be appreciated. And what are these antibody

> > tests and what do they tell? He mentioned autoimmune, and I shut

> > down.

> >

> > Thanks in advance for your time,

> >

> >

> > Houston

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

[ ] Re: Doc Visit Today - Biopsy Scheduled

> >

> >

> > > Hi ,

> > >

> > > I also saw my doc on Tuesday; I will be having my biopsy one week

> > > after yours..we'll have to compare notes!

> > >

> > > My situation is similar. Originally, last summer when I first had

> > > acute hep, they thought it was drug induced (in my case an

> > > antibiotic); the antibody test was negative @ that time. Although the

> > > enzymes dropped, they never did return to normal. I had a 2nd acute

> > > attack in October. While waiting for the tests to come back, I read

> > > Palmer's book. When I got to the chapter on Autoimmune Hep,

> > > I just knew that was me. I felt kind of numb @ first. I started

> > > researching more info about it on the net, and by the time the doc

> > > called with the info that I was positive for the antibodies, I was not

> > > in such a state of shock. At least I felt like I knew what the doc

> > > was talking about. Learn more about it...if it is not so mysterious,

> > > it is not quite as scary. And you feel like when the doctor talks

> > > with you, @ least you understand half of what is said, and for what

> > > you do not, at least you have a starting point for questions.

> > >

> > > I responded well to the prednisone initially, dropping from over

> > > 1000 ALT to 277 in 3 weeks. But 3 weeks after THAT, it went back up

> > > to 738. Even now, I am still that high even after he increased the

> > > prednisone. My doc wants to do the liver biopsy to get a more complete

> > > picture, then start me on additional meds. Overall, he is very

> > > optimistic, just feels that prednisone alone wont do the trick for me.

> > >

> > > So, while waiting for your tests, learn a little about it, and start

> > > your list of questions. Will you be seeing the doc again before your

> > > biopsy? If so, get ready to bombard him! I will be thinking of you on

> > > the 19th.

> > >

> > >

> > > > Hello to my fellow liver friends,

> > > >

> > > > I had my doc visit today to get the results of the blood work I had

> > > > done last week. It seems the liver function tests are much higher

> > > > than last month. He was shocked, as was I! AST went from 47 to

> > > > 232. ALT went from 99 to 278. I am having more blood work done

> > > > tomorrow morning (the antibody tests, not sure what those are), and

> > > > then a biopsy on the 19th. I was hoping the tests would still be

> > > > going down a bit, so it was quite a surprise to me. He called the

> > > > hepatologist I saw in the hospital and they talked for awhile about

> > > > my case. They are now thinking it wasn't the tylenol after all.

> > > I'm

> > > > scared....not about the biopsy, but the results. Any words of

> > > > encouragement would be appreciated. And what are these antibody

> > > > tests and what do they tell? He mentioned autoimmune, and I shut

> > > > down.

> > > >

> > > > Thanks in advance for your time,

> > > >

> > > >

> > > > Houston

> > >

> > >

> > >

[Guest guest]

[ ] Re: Doc Visit Today - Biopsy Scheduled

> >

> >

> > > Hi ,

> > >

> > > I also saw my doc on Tuesday; I will be having my biopsy one week

> > > after yours..we'll have to compare notes!

> > >

> > > My situation is similar. Originally, last summer when I first had

> > > acute hep, they thought it was drug induced (in my case an

> > > antibiotic); the antibody test was negative @ that time. Although the

> > > enzymes dropped, they never did return to normal. I had a 2nd acute

> > > attack in October. While waiting for the tests to come back, I read

> > > Palmer's book. When I got to the chapter on Autoimmune Hep,

> > > I just knew that was me. I felt kind of numb @ first. I started

> > > researching more info about it on the net, and by the time the doc

> > > called with the info that I was positive for the antibodies, I was not

> > > in such a state of shock. At least I felt like I knew what the doc

> > > was talking about. Learn more about it...if it is not so mysterious,

> > > it is not quite as scary. And you feel like when the doctor talks

> > > with you, @ least you understand half of what is said, and for what

> > > you do not, at least you have a starting point for questions.

> > >

> > > I responded well to the prednisone initially, dropping from over

> > > 1000 ALT to 277 in 3 weeks. But 3 weeks after THAT, it went back up

> > > to 738. Even now, I am still that high even after he increased the

> > > prednisone. My doc wants to do the liver biopsy to get a more complete

> > > picture, then start me on additional meds. Overall, he is very

> > > optimistic, just feels that prednisone alone wont do the trick for me.

> > >

> > > So, while waiting for your tests, learn a little about it, and start

> > > your list of questions. Will you be seeing the doc again before your

> > > biopsy? If so, get ready to bombard him! I will be thinking of you on

> > > the 19th.

> > >

> > >

> > > > Hello to my fellow liver friends,

> > > >

> > > > I had my doc visit today to get the results of the blood work I had

> > > > done last week. It seems the liver function tests are much higher

> > > > than last month. He was shocked, as was I! AST went from 47 to

> > > > 232. ALT went from 99 to 278. I am having more blood work done

> > > > tomorrow morning (the antibody tests, not sure what those are), and

> > > > then a biopsy on the 19th. I was hoping the tests would still be

> > > > going down a bit, so it was quite a surprise to me. He called the

> > > > hepatologist I saw in the hospital and they talked for awhile about

> > > > my case. They are now thinking it wasn't the tylenol after all.

> > > I'm

> > > > scared....not about the biopsy, but the results. Any words of

> > > > encouragement would be appreciated. And what are these antibody

> > > > tests and what do they tell? He mentioned autoimmune, and I shut

> > > > down.

> > > >

> > > > Thanks in advance for your time,

> > > >

> > > >

> > > > Houston

> > >

> > >

> > >

[Guest guest]

Hi athie,

He put me on imuran while I was still taking steroid. Ive been on imuran

for almost a year now. I have never had any problems. My doc said I am in

remission. I have found out the most important thing to do is get my rest.

I take 1 elevil tablet at bedtime and that is not dangerous. It allows me

to get restful sleep. As long as I got my rest, I do fine.

except for this arthritis. Another thing I do is try to only drink water,

about 8 or more glasses a day to flush out toxins my body produce. You will

do great.

Bobbie

[ ] Re: Doc Visit Today - Biopsy Scheduled

> >

> >

> > > Hi ,

> > >

> > > I also saw my doc on Tuesday; I will be having my biopsy one week

> > > after yours..we'll have to compare notes!

> > >

> > > My situation is similar. Originally, last summer when I first had

> > > acute hep, they thought it was drug induced (in my case an

> > > antibiotic); the antibody test was negative @ that time. Although the

> > > enzymes dropped, they never did return to normal. I had a 2nd acute

> > > attack in October. While waiting for the tests to come back, I read

> > > Palmer's book. When I got to the chapter on Autoimmune Hep,

> > > I just knew that was me. I felt kind of numb @ first. I started

> > > researching more info about it on the net, and by the time the doc

> > > called with the info that I was positive for the antibodies, I was not

> > > in such a state of shock. At least I felt like I knew what the doc

> > > was talking about. Learn more about it...if it is not so mysterious,

> > > it is not quite as scary. And you feel like when the doctor talks

> > > with you, @ least you understand half of what is said, and for what

> > > you do not, at least you have a starting point for questions.

> > >

> > > I responded well to the prednisone initially, dropping from over

> > > 1000 ALT to 277 in 3 weeks. But 3 weeks after THAT, it went back up

> > > to 738. Even now, I am still that high even after he increased the

> > > prednisone. My doc wants to do the liver biopsy to get a more complete

> > > picture, then start me on additional meds. Overall, he is very

> > > optimistic, just feels that prednisone alone wont do the trick for me.

> > >

> > > So, while waiting for your tests, learn a little about it, and start

> > > your list of questions. Will you be seeing the doc again before your

> > > biopsy? If so, get ready to bombard him! I will be thinking of you on

> > > the 19th.

> > >

> > >

> > > > Hello to my fellow liver friends,

> > > >

> > > > I had my doc visit today to get the results of the blood work I had

> > > > done last week. It seems the liver function tests are much higher

> > > > than last month. He was shocked, as was I! AST went from 47 to

> > > > 232. ALT went from 99 to 278. I am having more blood work done

> > > > tomorrow morning (the antibody tests, not sure what those are), and

> > > > then a biopsy on the 19th. I was hoping the tests would still be

> > > > going down a bit, so it was quite a surprise to me. He called the

> > > > hepatologist I saw in the hospital and they talked for awhile about

> > > > my case. They are now thinking it wasn't the tylenol after all.

> > > I'm

> > > > scared....not about the biopsy, but the results. Any words of

> > > > encouragement would be appreciated. And what are these antibody

> > > > tests and what do they tell? He mentioned autoimmune, and I shut

> > > > down.

> > > >

> > > > Thanks in advance for your time,

> > > >

> > > >

> > > > Houston

> > >

> > >

> > >

[Guest guest]

I'll be thinking of you. Let us know what you learn.

Harper (AIH 5/00)

[Guest guest]

Hello to my fellow liver friends,

I had my doc visit today to get the results of the blood work I had

done last week. It seems the liver function tests are much higher

than last month. He was shocked, as was I! AST went from 47 to

232. ALT went from 99 to 278. I am having more blood work done

tomorrow morning (the antibody tests, not sure what those are), and

then a biopsy on the 19th. I was hoping the tests would still be

going down a bit, so it was quite a surprise to me. He called the

hepatologist I saw in the hospital and they talked for awhile about

my case. They are now thinking it wasn't the tylenol after all. I'm

scared....not about the biopsy, but the results. Any words of

encouragement would be appreciated. And what are these antibody

tests and what do they tell? He mentioned autoimmune, and I shut

down.

Thanks in advance for your time,

Houston

[Guest guest]

Hi ,

I also saw my doc on Tuesday; I will be having my biopsy one week

after yours..we'll have to compare notes!

My situation is similar. Originally, last summer when I first had

acute hep, they thought it was drug induced (in my case an

antibiotic); the antibody test was negative @ that time. Although the

enzymes dropped, they never did return to normal. I had a 2nd acute

attack in October. While waiting for the tests to come back, I read

Palmer's book. When I got to the chapter on Autoimmune Hep,

I just knew that was me. I felt kind of numb @ first. I started

researching more info about it on the net, and by the time the doc

called with the info that I was positive for the antibodies, I was not

in such a state of shock. At least I felt like I knew what the doc

was talking about. Learn more about it...if it is not so mysterious,

it is not quite as scary. And you feel like when the doctor talks

with you, @ least you understand half of what is said, and for what

you do not, at least you have a starting point for questions.

I responded well to the prednisone initially, dropping from over

1000 ALT to 277 in 3 weeks. But 3 weeks after THAT, it went back up

to 738. Even now, I am still that high even after he increased the

prednisone. My doc wants to do the liver biopsy to get a more complete

picture, then start me on additional meds. Overall, he is very

optimistic, just feels that prednisone alone wont do the trick for me.

So, while waiting for your tests, learn a little about it, and start

your list of questions. Will you be seeing the doc again before your

biopsy? If so, get ready to bombard him! I will be thinking of you on

the 19th.

> Hello to my fellow liver friends,

>

> I had my doc visit today to get the results of the blood work I had

> done last week. It seems the liver function tests are much higher

> than last month. He was shocked, as was I! AST went from 47 to

> 232. ALT went from 99 to 278. I am having more blood work done

> tomorrow morning (the antibody tests, not sure what those are), and

> then a biopsy on the 19th. I was hoping the tests would still be

> going down a bit, so it was quite a surprise to me. He called the

> hepatologist I saw in the hospital and they talked for awhile about

> my case. They are now thinking it wasn't the tylenol after all.

I'm

> scared....not about the biopsy, but the results. Any words of

> encouragement would be appreciated. And what are these antibody

> tests and what do they tell? He mentioned autoimmune, and I shut

> down.

>

> Thanks in advance for your time,

>

>

> Houston

[Guest guest]

, Please dont worry too much. I have Lupus, and AIh. I lead a pretty normal life except I dont work. But I stay home with 2 kids 6 and 14, girls no less, and in a lot of ways im happy that I get to know what they are doing and that they are not latchkey kids.

As far as the illnesses, I take meds to control them, and the times I have problems that cant be ignored I go to the doctor and get help. Its not the end. Believe me not ill would be better, but thats not the case. whats the saying? Make lemonade! :-)

Christi

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 1/10/01 7:54:14 PM Pacific Standard Time, christibro33@... writes:

As far as the illnesses, I take meds to control them, and the times I have problems that cant be ignored I go to the doctor and get help. Its not the end. Believe me not ill would be better, but thats not the case. whats the saying? Make lemonade! :-)

My gp says this disease might be a very good thing for me -- as my life before was very high-pressure and completely devoted to a financially and emotionally unrewarding job. I've had a wonderful time since I became ill in May. (Fortunately, I'm able to collect state disability for a while.) I just can't have fun for very long at a time before I have to go to sleep! And I've passed up several free trips to places I always wanted to go. On the other hand, I never before had time to sit in my garden, I'd never watched the bees and the hummingbirds at work. I never listened to music before; now it's very important to me.

Incidentally, I hope you people are taking advantage of the Ken Burns' jazz series on television. It's great!

[Guest guest]

Bobbie,

I was wondering if you feel better off the steroids and now on Imuran. Im

will be going off Prednisone soon and starting Imuran. Is it normal to still

be fatigued even when your levels are normal? I know that fatigue is normal

with liver disease but is it normal when your levels are normal??? I am

hoping that Imuran will work for me like the Prednisone has.

Any answers on this would be helpful. I have always wondered why I still

feel tired when I am in remission.

Thanks!

Athie

Ohio

[ ] Re: Doc Visit Today - Biopsy Scheduled

>

>

> > Hi ,

> >

> > I also saw my doc on Tuesday; I will be having my biopsy one week

> > after yours..we'll have to compare notes!

> >

> > My situation is similar. Originally, last summer when I first had

> > acute hep, they thought it was drug induced (in my case an

> > antibiotic); the antibody test was negative @ that time. Although the

> > enzymes dropped, they never did return to normal. I had a 2nd acute

> > attack in October. While waiting for the tests to come back, I read

> > Palmer's book. When I got to the chapter on Autoimmune Hep,

> > I just knew that was me. I felt kind of numb @ first. I started

> > researching more info about it on the net, and by the time the doc

> > called with the info that I was positive for the antibodies, I was not

> > in such a state of shock. At least I felt like I knew what the doc

> > was talking about. Learn more about it...if it is not so mysterious,

> > it is not quite as scary. And you feel like when the doctor talks

> > with you, @ least you understand half of what is said, and for what

> > you do not, at least you have a starting point for questions.

> >

> > I responded well to the prednisone initially, dropping from over

> > 1000 ALT to 277 in 3 weeks. But 3 weeks after THAT, it went back up

> > to 738. Even now, I am still that high even after he increased the

> > prednisone. My doc wants to do the liver biopsy to get a more complete

> > picture, then start me on additional meds. Overall, he is very

> > optimistic, just feels that prednisone alone wont do the trick for me.

> >

> > So, while waiting for your tests, learn a little about it, and start

> > your list of questions. Will you be seeing the doc again before your

> > biopsy? If so, get ready to bombard him! I will be thinking of you on

> > the 19th.

> >

> >

> > > Hello to my fellow liver friends,

> > >

> > > I had my doc visit today to get the results of the blood work I had

> > > done last week. It seems the liver function tests are much higher

> > > than last month. He was shocked, as was I! AST went from 47 to

> > > 232. ALT went from 99 to 278. I am having more blood work done

> > > tomorrow morning (the antibody tests, not sure what those are), and

> > > then a biopsy on the 19th. I was hoping the tests would still be

> > > going down a bit, so it was quite a surprise to me. He called the

> > > hepatologist I saw in the hospital and they talked for awhile about

> > > my case. They are now thinking it wasn't the tylenol after all.

> > I'm

> > > scared....not about the biopsy, but the results. Any words of

> > > encouragement would be appreciated. And what are these antibody

> > > tests and what do they tell? He mentioned autoimmune, and I shut

> > > down.

> > >

> > > Thanks in advance for your time,

> > >

> > >

> > > Houston

> >

> >

> >

[Guest guest]

,

The ana is the antinuclear antibody test. It indicates whether or not

you have an autoimmune disease. Not everyone with an positive ana has an

autoimmune disease, but all autoimmune patients have positive. In two years

my ana went from 1/120 to 1/10,000. That does not indicate I was extremely

sick, but I went from marginal to very, very positive. My enzymes were

also extremely high. Akaline Phosphate 1400+ ALT 500+ and AST 500. My notes

are at work can't quite remember exact numbers.I had a 2.7 bilirubin. Liver

biopsy is done to assess what damage is in your liver. My indicated the

involvement of my biliary ducts, a rare cross between Autoimmune Hepatitis

and Primary Biliary Cirrosis. Anyway, there are so many success stories

and positive coping strategies that you need to be very positive. Ask questions--write

them down. Find out what they expect to find, what they did find, what

your options are. Good luck with your tests. Let us know what you find

out.

Cheryl in ID

wrote:

Hello to my fellow liver friends,

I had my doc visit today to get the results of the blood work I had

done last week. It seems the liver function tests are much higher

than last month. He was shocked, as was I! AST went from

47 to

232. ALT went from 99 to 278. I am having more blood work

done

tomorrow morning (the antibody tests, not sure what those are), and

then a biopsy on the 19th. I was hoping the tests would still

be

going down a bit, so it was quite a surprise to me. He called

the

hepatologist I saw in the hospital and they talked for awhile about

my case. They are now thinking it wasn't the tylenol after all.

I'm

scared....not about the biopsy, but the results. Any words of

encouragement would be appreciated. And what are these antibody

tests and what do they tell? He mentioned autoimmune, and I shut

down.

Thanks in advance for your time,

Houston