AIH

[Guest guest]

Hi Jo,

The emotions you are going through are quite normal for someone dealing with

a chronic disease. They are very similar to those experiencing a major loss

or death. You are in effect facing the loss of your dreams. You would

probably find counseling to be very helpful. It wont change the reality. But

it can help you see that your dreams haven't died, just changed.

<<<<<hugs>>>>>

Don (AIH / Mpls)

[ ] AIH

> From: Cjgillice@...

>

> Hi, I have been subscribing to this list for several months and have been

> reading everyone else's communications. I have not felt that I had

anything

> worth saying. But now I am feeling down and alone and feel like I would

like

> to talk to someone who understands what I am going through. I was

diagnosed

> as positively having AIH (per liver biopsy) in December. In January I was

> started on prednisone but only took it for one month. The doctor started

me

> at 20 mg/day and decreased by 5 mg each week until I was down to nothing.

I

> had no side effects (except weigh gain) and my labs were in the normal

range

> afterwards. I have continued to have my labs drawn each month and have

> stayed within normal ranges until a few days ago. I am going through lots

of

> negative emotions, I guess because I thought I would be different and it

> wouldn't come back. I fooled myself into believing I was cured. My

doctor

> has now started me on low doses of prednisone, 10 mg. and he says I will

> probably stay on 10mg forever. I am only the second patient that he has

> every had with AIH, and I live in a town of only 10,000. He did recently

go

> to L.A. to a convention about hepatitis and he spoke with a leading

> specialist on AIH while he was there. That is when he decided that he

would

> put me on low doses if/when my levels started to rise again. I really

> appreciate my doctor and the fact that he is trying to learn more about my

> disease and it's treatment, but I am scared. I don't want to be sick.

> I am 44, I have been divorced for 10 years, my kids are mostly grown

(the

> youngest is 18 and graduating from high school in another month), I am a

> registered nurse at the local hospital. And my grandmother died from

> cirrohis of the liver caused by alcoholism. I told the doctor that it is

> really ironic that I have a liver disease since I have never drank alcohol

> because of watching my grandmother die from cirrhosis of the liver. (Of

> course that was before liver transplants).

> Sometimes when I am working with patients in the hospital, I think they

> are healthier than I am (well actually they probably are, since I work

mostly

> with surgical patients or new moms).

> I appreciate this support group, and I am sorry to be so negative

today.

> I appreciate you all. I am about to buy a house (my first home that I

will

> actually own) and I am worried that I won't live to pay it off (of course

I

> haven't told the loan officer that!). My whole value system has changed

> since I was diagnosed with AIH, Things are not as important, people are

very

> important. Thank you for being there for me, even though none of you even

> knew that I was here, reading and learning from you. Take care.

Jo

> from Northern CA

>

> ------------------------------------------------------------------------

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> ------------------------------------------------------------------------

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>

[Guest guest]

Dear Davette,

Welcome to the group! I know you'll find some wonderful friends here,

because everyone is very supportive. You'll also learn a lot - guaranteed!

I'm a newbie too, just diagnosed this past summer. I find the hardest thing

is finding information on this disease, and also struggling with the

medication. I look forward to seeing your posts!

>From: GaSweetie@...

>Reply- onelist

> onelist

>Subject: [ ] AIH

>Date: 2 Oct 1999 21:58:20 -0000

>

>Hello everyone. I'm just joining this support group. I was diagnosed with

>AIH in September of 98. I underwent a biopsy at that time and was in stage

>3. I've been trying to find out as much as I can about this disease. My

>doctor gave me a lot of information to read. You don't hear a lot about

>this disease. I am a nurse and had never heard of it before I was

>diagnosed. I still seem to have a hard time accepting it sometimes. I

>have felt shut out from the rest of the world at times. It's like no one

>really can understand how this makes you feel. I have 2 children and a

>grandchild that I love dearly and the thought of not being with them is

>frightening. But for now I guess I am doing pretty good. I still have a

>lot of fatigue. I was finally able to stop my prednisone and I am

>currently taking 100mg of Imuran a day. I have had to have blood test

>every month since last year, that gets old. I still have RUQ pain, but I

>guess that's to be expected. Anyway, just wanted to give you an idea of

>who I am and what I am going through. Hope I didn't talk too long. Would

>love to hear of some of your experiences with this disease. Hope to find

>some great friends here.

>

>Davette

>GaSweetie@...

>

>------------------------------------------------------------------------

>Please support the American Liver Foundation!

>

>1.) To subscribe send e-mail to -subscribeonelist

>2.) To UNsubscribe send to -unsubscribeonelist

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>4.) Normal e-mail format send to -normalonelist

><< text3.html >>

[Guest guest]

Davette,

I'm so glad you have found us because you certainly have found the right

place to not feel so alone... This group is a very loving and supportive

group and we become your new family.

I'm and I've been on the quest to find a doctor who cares, and who

understands. Not an easy task. I've had some terrible experiences lately,

but still keep on. I have finally made an appt with the University of Miami,

since I've learned that the best place for treatment is at a teaching

hospital. Unless of course you've found an enlightened and supportive doctor

on your own.

I've had elevated liver tests for a long time now, and I finally just got

sick of being told to wait, so I went into action! The VERY MOST IMPORTANT

thing I have learned from this group is to try to keep a positive attitude!

It has helped me more than I can say. I've learned that this disease is not

the end of the world, I'm not gonna die any time soon, there IS treatment,

and if all else fails, a liver transplant. We have alot of people here who

have had them, and they do give us much hope...

I'm glad you are here, you won't feel so alone and scared for long! Take

care of yourself...

(AIH)

Florida

[Guest guest]

Sunny,

What took so long to get diagnosed? What tests confirmed diagnosis? Are you

expecting to geta transplant?

J

>From: SUNNY1120@...

>Reply- onelist

> onelist

>Subject: [ ] RE: AIH

>Date: Sun, 3 Oct 1999 09:28:59 EDT

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>Hi Everyone,

>This is my first time writing. I've had AIH for about 16 yrs. now. I've

>had

>3 biopsies since. It took a long time to be diagnosis correctly. I've

>been

>taking Prednisone for about 14 yrs. now and I think I've had every bad side

>effect from that drug you could possibly get. I've had many relapses over

>the years. Drs. can not put me on Immuran due to the fact that my

>platlette

>count is extremely low, so I continue on with the Predisone. I retain alot

>of fluid, and am always swollen, my bones are so weak sometimes I can't

>even

>walk. I'm taking 5 mgs of Prednisone daily, Fosamax for my bones, Actigall

>for my itchy skin and Lasix.

>I'm on permanent disability now. I'm always depressed. The thing that

>scares me the most is that Drs. have said that the average time for having

>this disease before the medication will stop working is approx. 10 yrs. I

>wait everyday for something to happen.

>Sorry if I seem so depressed. It's just that people that do not have this

>just don't seem to understand.

>Thank you for listening.

>Margo (Sunny1120@...)

>Florida

>

>------------------------------------------------------------------------

>Please support the American Liver Foundation!

>

>1.) To subscribe send e-mail to -subscribeonelist

>2.) To UNsubscribe send to -unsubscribeonelist

>3.) Digest e-mail format send to -digestonelist

>4.) Normal e-mail format send to -normalonelist

><< text3.html >>

[Guest guest]

Hi Everyone,

This is my first time writing. I've had AIH for about 16 yrs. now. I've had

3 biopsies since. It took a long time to be diagnosis correctly. I've been

taking Prednisone for about 14 yrs. now and I think I've had every bad side

effect from that drug you could possibly get. I've had many relapses over

the years. Drs. can not put me on Immuran due to the fact that my platlette

count is extremely low, so I continue on with the Predisone. I retain alot

of fluid, and am always swollen, my bones are so weak sometimes I can't even

walk. I'm taking 5 mgs of Prednisone daily, Fosamax for my bones, Actigall

for my itchy skin and Lasix.

I'm on permanent disability now. I'm always depressed. The thing that

scares me the most is that Drs. have said that the average time for having

this disease before the medication will stop working is approx. 10 yrs. I

wait everyday for something to happen.

Sorry if I seem so depressed. It's just that people that do not have this

just don't seem to understand.

Thank you for listening.

Margo (Sunny1120@...)

Florida

[Guest guest]

Davette Welcome to the group. After being diag. with AIH I felt the

same as you do. Thank goodness for our group it has made my illness alot

easier to deal with.You are no longer alone.

Pa.

[Guest guest]

Has anybody else heard anything about the meds stopping to work after a

certain period of time? That's a scary thought.

Audra.

[Guest guest]

Hi Athie:

I've been on prednisone since 1985 (14 years) and imuran since 1995 .. the

rest on and off since 1985. They're keeping me alive : )

Debbie

AIH

Michigan

Re: [ ] RE: AIH

>From: " S Pickrel " <PICKREL@...>

>

>Hello,

>I keep thinking the same thing. Is there a standard time when they start to

>stop working. I have been on them for 5 years now and wonder how much

longer

>I have until the other shoe drops!

>Athie AIH Ohio

> Re: [ ] RE: AIH

>

>

>> From: ADilli5783@...

>>

>> Has anybody else heard anything about the meds stopping to work after a

>> certain period of time? That's a scary thought.

>>

>> Audra.

>>

>> > Please support the American Liver Foundation!

>>

>> 1.) To subscribe send e-mail to -subscribeonelist

>> 2.) To UNsubscribe send to -unsubscribeonelist

>> 3.) Digest e-mail format send to -digestonelist

>> 4.) Normal e-mail format send to -normalonelist

>

>>Please support the American Liver Foundation!

>

>1.) To subscribe send e-mail to -subscribeonelist

>2.) To UNsubscribe send to -unsubscribeonelist

>3.) Digest e-mail format send to -digestonelist

>4.) Normal e-mail format send to -normalonelist

[Guest guest]

Hello,

I keep thinking the same thing. Is there a standard time when they start to

stop working. I have been on them for 5 years now and wonder how much longer

I have until the other shoe drops!

Athie AIH Ohio

Re: [ ] RE: AIH

> From: ADilli5783@...

>

> Has anybody else heard anything about the meds stopping to work after a

> certain period of time? That's a scary thought.

>

> Audra.

>

> > Please support the American Liver Foundation!

>

> 1.) To subscribe send e-mail to -subscribeonelist

> 2.) To UNsubscribe send to -unsubscribeonelist

> 3.) Digest e-mail format send to -digestonelist

> 4.) Normal e-mail format send to -normalonelist

[Guest guest]

----------

Davette,

Welcome. You will quickly see just how much love and support you will get

here. Good and bad days doesn't matter, we are here all the time.

How are you coping with the URQ pain?

SueB.

[Guest guest]

,

It is all too much for our loved ones to bear. They can not deal with it so

they try to get the thoughts out of their minds. But we hear and

understand.

J

>From: " .Hutchinson " <brandy.hutchinson@...>

>Reply- onelist

> onelist

>Subject: Re: [ ] AIH

>Date: Mon, 04 Oct 1999 23:45:29 -0700

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>

>Hello

>

>Well since we can complain to each other, I love it.

>

>When I was first diagnosed, everyone thought I had hep b and was

>contagious. So wine became my drink of choice. Jeff lost his job, and

>things were bad. but I was still in a medium clothing!

>

>I have gained 60lbs and last year around this time my body exploded all

>at once with stretch marks. they are every where. When I hit a 160lbs

>that was it, that was very hard to deal with. now i'm am at 183 sucks to

>be me.

>

>So i have finally got over the weight issue, but i still do not

>recognize myself and cameras are the worst.

>

>Jeff gets it a bit, but has a hard time dealing with the fact that i'm

>not the same person. And my ideal of fun now is sitting at home resting

>lol.

>

>My best friend used to call everyday, she forgot my birthday this year?

>

>My other good friend, told me last time we went out, that i'm to fucking

>negative, and i should be positive. Me saying i'm going to have a

>biopsy to see how long i got is Negative??? i thought it was honest and

>realistic. An example that my friends don't listen is that I've had

>this illness and on my last birthday , one said ur not supposed to

>drink?? i looked it up??? I've been telling this is why I'm always the

>d & D and those time i do indulge I'm in bed for a week???

>

>So I'm feeling a bit alone to, it sucks, my mom answer to everything is

>oh u'll be ok. stop talking like that???

>

>So now I'm crying and that's " negative " i find myself crying alot, but

>have to do that on my own, and not let anyone see, because that's

> " negative and self pity "

>

>thanks for reading

>

>

>

>

>

>

>------------------------------------------------------------------------

>Please support the American Liver Foundation!

>

>1.) To subscribe send e-mail to -subscribeonelist

>2.) To UNsubscribe send to -unsubscribeonelist

>3.) Digest e-mail format send to -digestonelist

>4.) Normal e-mail format send to -normalonelist

><< text3.html >>

[Guest guest]

,

I can relate! I hope tomorrow is a better

day, please write in and let us know how you are doing.

love ya,

[Guest guest]

Hello

Well since we can complain to each other, I love it.

When I was first diagnosed, everyone thought I had hep b and was

contagious. So wine became my drink of choice. Jeff lost his job, and

things were bad. but I was still in a medium clothing!

I have gained 60lbs and last year around this time my body exploded all

at once with stretch marks. they are every where. When I hit a 160lbs

that was it, that was very hard to deal with. now i'm am at 183 sucks to

be me.

So i have finally got over the weight issue, but i still do not

recognize myself and cameras are the worst.

Jeff gets it a bit, but has a hard time dealing with the fact that i'm

not the same person. And my ideal of fun now is sitting at home resting

lol.

My best friend used to call everyday, she forgot my birthday this year?

My other good friend, told me last time we went out, that i'm to fucking

negative, and i should be positive. Me saying i'm going to have a

biopsy to see how long i got is Negative??? i thought it was honest and

realistic. An example that my friends don't listen is that I've had

this illness and on my last birthday , one said ur not supposed to

drink?? i looked it up??? I've been telling this is why I'm always the

d & D and those time i do indulge I'm in bed for a week???

So I'm feeling a bit alone to, it sucks, my mom answer to everything is

oh u'll be ok. stop talking like that???

So now I'm crying and that's " negative " i find myself crying alot, but

have to do that on my own, and not let anyone see, because that's

" negative and self pity "

thanks for reading

[Guest guest]

Hello Davette,

Belated welcome to the Liver Support Group. Everyone here understands

exactly how much you want to know more about your disease and you won't

find a more sympathetic group anywhere, when it comes time to express your

frustration at lack of information from doctors - most of whom do their

best I hope.

I guess all of us run into medical personnel who don't know anything about

AIH, but almost everyone seems to know a little about autoimmune diseases

in general. I confess that before I was diagnosed, I thought that there

were three kinds of liver disease: liver cancer, the *mysterious* diseases

that strike children and that you read about in the paper, and liver

disease as a result of alcohol abuse. After reassuring them that I don't

have something contagious, I usually explain about autoimmunity in general

and tell them that AIH is one of many diseases that include MS, Lupus,

Rheumatoid Arthritis, etc. Almost everyone knows someone with an

autoimmune disease, so that information seems to clear the air a bit.

I was diagnosed almost a year before you were and I was in stage IV at the

time, or at least, had stage IV cirrhosis. I also felt that the end of my

life was nearer than I'd hoped it would be. It took awhile, but in time I

got beyond that fear and now I realize that medical science does offer some

hope for most of us, no matter how seriously ill we are. The secret seems

to be to find the right doctors - not always as easy as it should be.

If you can imagine it, you actually get used to the fatigue. After a

lifetime of seeming inexhaustible, now my days are shorter, my stamina is

limited, and I plan things accordingly. Otherwise, I try not to think

about it and if pushed, I explain that things will have to be done at my

new speed. There is nothing that can't wait, though once upon a time I

thought everything had to be done NOW.

I'm currently in remission. Maybe permanently, though I suspect that my

doctor's optimism isn't quite realistic. They say that they believe I'll

remain in remission, but the labs that draw my blood know me when I walk in

the door. I've also had blood tests monthly and oftener for two years,

with a few exceptions. Right now the tests are mostly to confirm that the

remission still exists and to find out if Prednisone and Imuran have done

much damage. Tomorrow I'll be tested once more for diabetes, but the good

news is that I've recently learned that the drugs haven't damaged my eyes

or my teeth. The bad news is that I've developed osteoporosis.

I have a vast collection of files I've gathered that might answer some of

your specific questions. Happy to try to help if you want information on

some obscure bit of information.

Take care,

Geri

[Guest guest]

I was still taking the pred post trans, and they just

done bloods, biopsy and an ultra sound. As you know

that transplantation does not cure the basic genetic

defects relating to control of the autoimmune

reaction. But the main reson way I had a transplant is

cos it was cirrhosised and in a bad way.

Matt

http://www.AutoImmuneHepatitis.com

===========================================

--- cheryl722@... wrote:

>

>

> But the next year, in March 2000

> the AIH came back.

>

> Dear Matt,

>

> I have a question for you -- did you continue to

> take prednisone post

> transplant? And what testing did your tx team do to

> determine the AIH is

> back? I know that transplantation does not cure

> AIH and that you will

> always have it. But I understood that prednisone

> treatment helps keep it in

> " check " .

>

> Thanks,

> Cheryl & Randy

> Randy tx 12-14-99 AIH

> Cheryl is his living liver donor

> Cleveland Clinic Foundation, OH

> Living Liver Donor Surgery #2

>

__________________________________________________

[Guest guest]

Hi! Know it hasn't helped get rid of the bloat really, the third med. for the blood pressure is making me dizzy! Do starchy food like potatoes make you bloat? they do me, I've been going to weight watchers for a year and a half I started three weeks after I was put on the prednisone, I gained 15 pounds in that time, and said thats it, and I have gained nothing more, but I lose a few pounds and gain it back, but I have never gone over what I initially started with, They laughed tonight everyone complain 's because they reach a plateau and I said I've been at one since I started,I know someday I'll lose it, so just not to gain anymore makes me happy. But my stomach bloats so bad, sometimes I look like I'm six months pregnant! The fatigue has been very bad for me this week! it hasn't been this bad in quite a few months. My Doctor checked my enzymes and they were normal. Hope to hear from you again. gloriagauss@...

[Guest guest]

> Hello! Patty,

> I do not have cirrohsis, but peri-portal fibrosis in my liver

caused from a

> severe flare up, I first found out that I had AIH in April of 2000,

I was

> like your symtoms you described, and in the hospital,not knowing

what I had,

> in isolation, and the nurses were afraid to come in around me. I

almost died!

> I suffer I think from just about every side effect of prednisone,

and my

> blood pressure is a real problem from it, I take three different

pills for it

> as of yesterday, one more was added!

> Hope to hear from you soon,gloriagauss@a...

I have high blood pressure too--had it mildly before the pred, but it

got worse on the pred. However, on the plus side, the dieuretic that

I took(still take)for the blood pressure helped relieve some of the

bloat from the prednisone. Is this happening for you? Jean

[Guest guest]

I can tell you from experience that when you get a build up of ammonia it is

way more than our usual ditzy prednisone self! lol When it happened to my

daughter it scared me to death, there is no mistaking it for anything else,

it is a very serious and unmistakable state of mind, or lack there of You

can hardly remember your own name or the name of any common household item,

she couldn't figure out how to turn on the water. I don't think it is a very

common thing for most of us, once you are stable in your medications you

shouldn't have this kind of concern unless things really head south.

Peggy AI?/6-01

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 11/7/01 12:43:41 PM Pacific Standard Time, PWGBreeze@... writes:

I can tell you from experience that when you get a build up of ammonia it is way more than our usual ditzy prednisone self! lol When it happened to my daughter it scared me to death, there is no mistaking it for anything else, it is a very serious and unmistakable state of mind, or lack there of You can hardly remember your own name or the name of any common household item, she couldn't figure out how to turn on the water. I don't think it is a very common thing for most of us, once you are stable in your medications you shouldn't have this kind of concern unless things really head south.

Peggy AI?/6-01

Peggy, do you and your daughter both have AIH?

Harper (AIH dx 5/00)

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 11/7/01 12:43:41 PM Pacific Standard Time, PWGBreeze@... writes:

I can tell you from experience that when you get a build up of ammonia it is way more than our usual ditzy prednisone self! lol When it happened to my daughter it scared me to death, there is no mistaking it for anything else, it is a very serious and unmistakable state of mind, or lack there of You can hardly remember your own name or the name of any common household item, she couldn't figure out how to turn on the water. I don't think it is a very common thing for most of us, once you are stable in your medications you shouldn't have this kind of concern unless things really head south.

Peggy AI?/6-01

Someone I know who has AIH became ill at the same time I did but wasn't diagnosed until several months later -- at that point, she couldn't recognize her children! Fortunately, she was able to get a liver transplant almost immediately, although she was in a coma by that time. Most of us, because we've been diagnosed and treated, don't have this sort of problem. (She's now doing very well, incidentally.)

Harper

[Guest guest]

Harper, we both have an autoimmune disorder that for some reason is targeting

our liver, we don't however have the usual markers that indicate AIH...they

think the trigger for my both of us was use of ephedra as a diet aid. I was

diagnosed with vasculitis when I was in my 20's so I did have a history of

autoimmune disorder, I never really thought about it manifesting itself in

another form. Just goes to show how much we don't know about this bugger. It

certainly scares me with my daughter, she just turned 20 and I am as fearful

of long term use of these meds for someone so young, as I am that there may

still be another shoe to drop. is however the bravest young woman I

have ever known...she hasn't let it get her down and has been such a

wonderful example for me. Your entire adult life spread out before you,

starting your freshman year of college and then to have this hit and turn

your great year into a nightmare. I know in my heart I wouldn't have dealt

with it as well as she has.

Peggy..proud Mom of

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 11/7/01 2:30:55 PM Pacific Standard Time, PWGBreeze@... writes:

Harper, we both have an autoimmune disorder that for some reason is targeting our liver, we don't however have the usual markers that indicate AIH...they think the trigger for my both of us was use of ephedra as a diet aid. I was diagnosed with vasculitis when I was in my 20's so I did have a history of autoimmune disorder, I never really thought about it manifesting itself in another form. Just goes to show how much we don't know about this bugger. It certainly scares me with my daughter, she just turned 20 and I am as fearful of long term use of these meds for someone so young, as I am that there may still be another shoe to drop. is however the bravest young woman I have ever known...she hasn't let it get her down and has been such a wonderful example for me. Your entire adult life spread out before you, starting your freshman year of college and then to have this hit and turn your great year into a nightmare. I know in my heart I wouldn't have dealt with it as well as she has. Peggy..proud Mom of

I'm so sorry to hear about . My daughter became ill in her freshman year of college, too, having been very athletic, bright, and beautiful. She remains, as always, brave, cheerful, and immensely kind. I haven't heard of ephedra as a trigger for autoimmune diseases, but who knows. You've probably seen the New York Times article on familial autoimmune disease that I've circulated before.

Incidentally, the mention I made of "" earlier today referred to Crimmins' daughter, who is twelve and has AIH.

Best wishes.

Harper (AIH dx 5/00)

[Guest guest]

> Hi all,

> I have AIH and cirrhosis. I also have itching and rashes.

Especially on my

> stomach. The itching used to be worse before I was diagnosed. I

am on

> Actigall and Prednisone. Lately I have trouble sleeping and some

memory

> problems. My doctor gave me Lactulose for that. I had to stop it

because it

> was raising my blood sugar a lot. I also have diabetes. I going

to try a

> high fiber diet and see if that helps me.

>

> Rose

> New York

Rose,

I found that when I was where you are now, that the only foods that

really agreed with me were- high fiber and lots of fresh fruit and

vegetables. I now make my own granola, as the packaged kind is too

expensive. My Dr. gave me hydroxyzine hcl 25mg tab for the itching.

I took 2 every 4-6 hrs. within two weeks the itching stopped. She

also gave me a mild sleeping pill to help me get to sleep. If I

don't take the sleeping pill I just don't sleep, the prednisone keeps

me going like an energizer bunny, and I really do need the rest.

Joanna

(8/01)AIH/early stage cirrhosis

[Guest guest]

Hi a, happy new year to you, too.

Ask your doctor about " autoimmune hemolytic anemia " . It's a rare

condition and I know little about it, but when my ferritin levels

(iron storage) dropped rapidly some three months ago together with a

borderline hemoglobin level, it was mentioned to me. I have yet to be

checked for it. Luckily, my blood has improved since with simple iron

supplements so the urgency has gone, it seems.

I am sure you'll find something on google and maybe Jerry has some

info?

As for your skin: I get these small pimples on my nose, they fill up

with fluid, burst, and then take ages to heal, bleeding every time I

wash. Sometimes I think I look like a clown, especially after cycling

through the rain and all the make-up is gone...

Last time I asked I was given some blurb about it being a mild

version of rosacea (again check google for lots of info on this) and

also some weakness of connective tissue. I find it helps to apply a

wound healing ointment such as bepanthen as soon as the pimples open

and to keep them as clean and sterile as possible. At least that way

they heal eventually. I also tried a face massage treatment

recommended by a dermatologist but somehow never found the time and

as the results were not immediate...

Hope you can find some answers from your doctor.

It must be wonderful to look forward to a grandchild! I think it will

be years, oh, decades, before our wild 20-year old will ever consider

it. Lucky you.

Have a nice day,

Sophie

> Happy New Year to everyone!!

>

> I am usually just an observer and read the daily conversations and

have

> learned more from all of you than any of my doctors. I appreciate

all

> of your experiences and triumphs, as well as understand your pains

and

> sorrows you are so willing to share.

>

> I was diagnosed with AIH in November of 2000. I also have

uncontrolled

> Diabetes which I am insulin dependant. I have severe anemia and

end up

> having blood transfusions approximately every six months. My last

one

> was in October. I went in lst week for labs and my hemoglobin has

> dropped more rapidly this time and am looking at having another

within

> the next 6 weeks or so.

>

> Do any of you have such experiences? Also, do you experience severe

> breaking out that start like little pimples and turn into sores that

> seem like they never want to heal up? I have good days and bad

days and

> have to admit that I get SO tired of being tired. I am a mother of

> four. My oldest is 20, married and expecting our 1st grandchild

within

> the next 6 weeks. The other three still live at home (ages 19, 17,

&

> 16). I work full time, try to keep the house work up, remarried two

> years ago after having been a widow for 7 years after loosing my

> childhood sweetheart in a car wreck. I am 36 years old and

sometimes

> feel like I am pushing 70. Yet, am way too stubborn and ornery to

give

> into these diseases.

>

> Thank you for letting me share and I wish all of you a happy and

> successful 2003!

>

> a

[Guest guest]

Sophie.... I ran across info about autoimmune hemolytic anemia when I

was researching something else. I'll see if I can find it. I do know it

is rare but it is an autoimmune condition.

love jerry