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In a message dated 12/1/01 8:42:40 AM Pacific Standard Time, scott_p@... writes:

NOTE: I f any of you would prefer I not tell my gross stories, tell me. I feel like I could be a poster child for the horrors of liver failure, but now I am healthy and happy and back to stressing too much about work and all those things.

Patty AIH 1980, Transplant 2/98

Hi Patty, I never get tired of your groddy stories...LOL!

keep'em comin'....LOL! the more I learn, the more I will be able to survive this!!!!

THANKS....

BEST WISHES...

BERT.

**HAPPY***HOLIDAYS**

**AND WARM HUGS**

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dear support group had been diagnosed in june with aih so they

thought since i already have one autimmune disease(CREST) anyway..since my

liver enzymes never responded to the prednisone (except a 40 lb weight gain a

rash that is making me nuts!!!!!!!!!!) i finally had my liver bx

done.......not aih at all but fatty liver disease and what makes is

worse????????.....prednisone!!!!! i will be starting on actigall once i get

rid of this * & & ^%^$%^% ITCH!!!!!!! anyone out there know about this drug

????? my doc said it 's new for fatty liver...it's usually given to break

down gall stones for people who would not get through the gall bladder

surgery......jo

ps thanks in advance.

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Hi debby, me too.....I always itch....it drives me nuts too! LOL!

never knew what it was from until I joined this group and asked the doc. about it...

one would have to go to college just to learn about all the symptoms we have.....let alone try to deal with em'.....LOL!

whats more expensive???? college/perscriptions/college/perscriptions....

LOL!!!!!!

take care..

Bert.

**HAPPY***HOLIDAYS**

**AND WARM HUGS**

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In a message dated 12/1/01 1:18:28 PM Pacific Standard Time, tdcc2000@... writes:

college is cheaper....IF you go to a state school!!!!!! LOL!

debby

LOLOLOLOLOLOLOLROFLMAO!!!!

BERT.

**HAPPY***HOLIDAYS**

**AND WARM HUGS**

BERT. :-)

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puritis is probably the worst of the liver failure symptoms. [aside from throwing up blood with bleeding varacies] I had it bad and no-one had told me about avoiding hot showers. I was in the hospital and took a long hot shower as i felt groddy. By the time I got out I was in such torture I just wanted to get out of my skin. The nursed called in the liver team and they gave my IV demerol to give me relief. I remember the look on the nurses face when the DR said IV demerol NOW, she said, you mean IM [shot] and he said..'no she needs this now'] (maybe some of the nurses in the group understand this reaction more than I). It helped but until my bilirubin got down it was touture. Generally at less levels of torture I find Sarna lotion is the best. Much better than all those hydrocortisone creams they prescribe.

NOTE: I f any of you would prefer I not tell my gross stories, tell me. I feel like I could be a poster child for the horrors of liver failure, but now I am healthy and happy and back to stressing too much about work and all those things.

Patty AIH 1980, Transplant 2/98

-----Original Message-----From: JJCathcart [mailto:JJCATHCART@...]Sent: Saturday, December 01, 2001 11:24 AM ; PBC_Digest-owner Subject: [ ] Pruritus AKA Itching

http://www.aad.org/pamphlets/Pruritus.html What is pruritus?Pruritus is the medical word for itch. It is defined as a sensation that provokes the desire to scratch. Itching can be a significant source of frustration and discomfort for patients. When severe, it can lead to loss of sleep, anxiety, and depression. The exact cause of an itch is unknown and is a complex process. Ultimately it involves nerves in the skin responding to certain chemicals such as histamine, and then processing these signals in the brain. Pruritus can be a symptom of certain skin diseases, and sometimes a manifestation of an internal process. In other patients where there is no evidence of skin or internal disease, pruritus may be due to faulty processing of the itch sensation within the nervous system. >> ( I too take Atarax for the itching. For me it is mostly at night....a good lotion for short term to help until the Atarax kicks in is SARNA..the only lotion suggested by my Liver Tx docs. Avoid hot shower....keep skin moist with lotions.I prefer Sesame Oil....as dry skin aggravates it. If your feet are really bad a quick relief is to sit on side of the tub with very cold water in tub and soak your feet..or just sit and run the cold water over them... ahhhh. Joanne C.

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I use to work for a GI doc for 17 years before diagnosed with AIH. We used

Actigal for just the reason you mentioned above. Patients who were not

candidates for Gallbladder surgery. We used it very sparingly. It's been a

long time ago. Do not remember much about what side effects were. I'll

contact him and see if he can fill me in on the side effect.

I also think it is strange that 2 of the girls that worked in the office for

this doctor developed AIH. He laughs and says I'm looking for work comp

benefits. (He's a good friend.) I do think that this is strange.My twist in

the issue is the 2 of us were predisposed to have this disease and because we

came in contact with someone who had some form of viral hepatitis we

developed AIH. Can anyone shed any light on my theory???? My Hepatologist

says only " I agree it's interesting. " The medical field is a tight one. ( I

still work for a MD.)

MFK

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I am so happy to know that my itching is related to this disease...or I think it is from it. For years, I would have this itching problem on the side of my leg! It would drive me nuts! I would scratch until it began bleeding. Then, I have had this problem on my hand for a long time...I scratch until it bleeds too. Darn! It drives me nuts! I do not have itching all over yet and I pray that I don't!

debby

RE: [ ] Pruritus AKA Itching

puritis is probably the worst of the liver failure symptoms. [aside from throwing up blood with bleeding varacies] I had it bad and no-one had told me about avoiding hot showers. I was in the hospital and took a long hot shower as i felt groddy. By the time I got out I was in such torture I just wanted to get out of my skin. The nursed called in the liver team and they gave my IV demerol to give me relief. I remember the look on the nurses face when the DR said IV demerol NOW, she said, you mean IM [shot] and he said..'no she needs this now'] (maybe some of the nurses in the group understand this reaction more than I). It helped but until my bilirubin got down it was touture. Generally at less levels of torture I find Sarna lotion is the best. Much better than all those hydrocortisone creams they prescribe.

NOTE: I f any of you would prefer I not tell my gross stories, tell me. I feel like I could be a poster child for the horrors of liver failure, but now I am healthy and happy and back to stressing too much about work and all those things.

Patty AIH 1980, Transplant 2/98

-----Original Message-----From: JJCathcart [mailto:JJCATHCART@...]Sent: Saturday, December 01, 2001 11:24 AM ; PBC_Digest-owner Subject: [ ] Pruritus AKA Itching

http://www.aad.org/pamphlets/Pruritus.html What is pruritus?Pruritus is the medical word for itch. It is defined as a sensation that provokes the desire to scratch. Itching can be a significant source of frustration and discomfort for patients. When severe, it can lead to loss of sleep, anxiety, and depression. The exact cause of an itch is unknown and is a complex process. Ultimately it involves nerves in the skin responding to certain chemicals such as histamine, and then processing these signals in the brain. Pruritus can be a symptom of certain skin diseases, and sometimes a manifestation of an internal process. In other patients where there is no evidence of skin or internal disease, pruritus may be due to faulty processing of the itch sensation within the nervous system. >> ( I too take Atarax for the itching. For me it is mostly at night....a good lotion for short term to help until the Atarax kicks in is SARNA..the only lotion suggested by my Liver Tx docs. Avoid hot shower....keep skin moist with lotions.I prefer Sesame Oil....as dry skin aggravates it. If your feet are really bad a quick relief is to sit on side of the tub with very cold water in tub and soak your feet..or just sit and run the cold water over them... ahhhh. Joanne C.

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In a message dated 12/1/01 5:14:56 PM Pacific Standard Time, seafarer52@... writes:

I usually have itching just on my hands. I would wake up during the night and find myself scratching them until they bled. I use bag balm to stop the itching. It works.

Ann

Don't forget that itching can by a symptom of something you need to deal with -- high bilirubin levels. Of course, it could be just an allergy or dry skin!

Ann, regarding your ulcers -- are they the kind that are caused by a bacteria, do you know? I haven't had ulcers in years and don't remember much, but it's recently been learned that some kinds of ulcers are caused by a bacteria and are best treated with antibiotics. Again, I have very little knowledge about this.

Harper

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How lucky that it is only fatty liver and not AIH! Bet the doctor is shocked! I was dx with fatty liver, but my biopsy showed NO fatty liver at all, but AIH! My doctors were totally shocked! Now I wish it was the fatty liver...but I live with this stuff. Good luck....Have you ever tried lavender oil and tea tree mixed in a carrier oil? If you have a reflexologist that you can call or someone versed in aromatherapy, you can find oils to help with the itching. My nephew had some sort of rash all over him and my reflexologist made a mix for me (well, actually, I mixed the oils) and the rash was gone shortly after! He was certainly glad! Wish I could remember the recipie!

debby

Re: [ ] Pruritus AKA Itching

dear support group had been diagnosed in june with aih so they thought since i already have one autimmune disease(CREST) anyway..since my liver enzymes never responded to the prednisone (except a 40 lb weight gain a rash that is making me nuts!!!!!!!!!!) i finally had my liver bx done.......not aih at all but fatty liver disease and what makes is worse????????.....prednisone!!!!! i will be starting on actigall once i get rid of this * & & ^%^$%^% ITCH!!!!!!! anyone out there know about this drug ????? my doc said it 's new for fatty liver...it's usually given to break down gall stones for people who would not get through the gall bladder surgery......jo ps thanks in advance.

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college is cheaper....IF you go to a state school!!!!!! LOL!

debby

Re: [ ] Pruritus AKA Itching

Hi debby, me too.....I always itch....it drives me nuts too! LOL!never knew what it was from until I joined this group and asked the doc. about it...one would have to go to college just to learn about all the symptoms we have.....let alone try to deal with em'.....LOL!whats more expensive???? college/perscriptions/college/perscriptions....LOL!!!!!!take care..Bert. **HAPPY***HOLIDAYS** **AND WARM HUGS**

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jo-

Actigall is synthetic black bear bile. It makes your bile less thick, more

fluid, helps if you have 'sludge' in your bile. Hopefiully you'll never have

the opportunity to know if you have slugde. It makes your bile green & ugly

instead of " nice clean.. like motor oil " as Dr. Khan one og my transplant

surgeons use to refer to my bile when it got better.

Actigall is harmless Also known as Urso. It has no side effects. But it is

expensive! Insurance will take care of this.

Good luck

Patty

bert, more groddy stuff

Re: [ ] Pruritus AKA Itching

dear support group had been diagnosed in june with aih so they

thought since i already have one autimmune disease(CREST) anyway..since my

liver enzymes never responded to the prednisone (except a 40 lb weight gain

a

rash that is making me nuts!!!!!!!!!!) i finally had my liver bx

done.......not aih at all but fatty liver disease and what makes is

worse????????.....prednisone!!!!! i will be starting on actigall once i get

rid of this * & & ^%^$%^% ITCH!!!!!!! anyone out there know about this drug

????? my doc said it 's new for fatty liver...it's usually given to break

down gall stones for people who would not get through the gall bladder

surgery......jo

ps thanks in advance.

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I usually have itching just on my hands. I would wake up during the night and find myself scratching them until they bled. I use bag balm to stop the itching. It works. Ann RE: [ ] Pruritus AKA Itching puritis is probably the worst of the liver failure symptoms. [aside from throwing up blood with bleeding varacies] I had it bad and no-one had told me about avoiding hot showers. I was in the hospital and took a long hot shower as i felt groddy. By the time I got out I was in such torture I just wanted to get out of my skin. The nursed called in the liver team and they gave my IV demerol to give me relief. I remember the look on the nurses face when the DR said IV demerol NOW, she said, you mean IM [shot] and he said..'no she needs this now'] (maybe some of the nurses in the group understand this reaction more than I). It helped but until my bilirubin got down it was touture. Generally at less levels of torture I find Sarna lotion is the best. Much better than all those hydrocortisone creams they prescribe. NOTE: I f any of you would prefer I not tell my gross stories, tell me. I feel like I could be a poster child for the horrors of liver failure, but now I am healthy and happy and back to stressing too much about work and all those things. Patty AIH 1980, Transplant 2/98 -----Original Message-----From: JJCathcart [mailto:JJCATHCART@...]Sent: Saturday, December 01, 2001 11:24 AM ; PBC_Digest-owner Subject: [ ] Pruritus AKA Itching http://www.aad.org/pamphlets/Pruritus.html What is pruritus?Pruritus is the medical word for itch. It is defined as a sensation that provokes the desire to scratch. Itching can be a significant source of frustration and discomfort for patients. When severe, it can lead to loss of sleep, anxiety, and depression. The exact cause of an itch is unknown and is a complex process. Ultimately it involves nerves in the skin responding to certain chemicals such as histamine, and then processing these signals in the brain. Pruritus can be a symptom of certain skin diseases, and sometimes a manifestation of an internal process. In other patients where there is no evidence of skin or internal disease, pruritus may be due to faulty processing of the itch sensation within the nervous system. >> ( I too take Atarax for the itching. For me it is mostly at night....a good lotion for short term to help until the Atarax kicks in is SARNA..the only lotion suggested by my Liver Tx docs. Avoid hot shower....keep skin moist with lotions.I prefer Sesame Oil....as dry skin aggravates it. If your feet are really bad a quick relief is to sit on side of the tub with very cold water in tub and soak your feet..or just sit and run the cold water over them... ahhhh. Joanne C.

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They way I keep going to the pharmacy I asked my pharmacist if I was helping him put his kids through college. LOL Ann Re: [ ] Pruritus AKA Itching Hi debby, me too.....I always itch....it drives me nuts too! LOL!never knew what it was from until I joined this group and asked the doc. about it...one would have to go to college just to learn about all the symptoms we have.....let alone try to deal with em'.....LOL!whats more expensive???? college/perscriptions/college/perscriptions....LOL!!!!!!take care..Bert. **HAPPY***HOLIDAYS** **AND WARM HUGS**

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I'm not sure what my ulcers are caused from, but I have three meds I take for them. Actually I think it's due to the fact that I have a very inflammed stomach and the acid causes the ulcers or it could be just from stress, which we all know everyone has.LOL Ann Re: [ ] Pruritus AKA Itching In a message dated 12/1/01 5:14:56 PM Pacific Standard Time, seafarer52@... writes: I usually have itching just on my hands. I would wake up during the night and find myself scratching them until they bled. I use bag balm to stop the itching. It works. Ann Don't forget that itching can by a symptom of something you need to deal with -- high bilirubin levels. Of course, it could be just an allergy or dry skin! Ann, regarding your ulcers -- are they the kind that are caused by a bacteria, do you know? I haven't had ulcers in years and don't remember much, but it's recently been learned that some kinds of ulcers are caused by a bacteria and are best treated with antibiotics. Again, I have very little knowledge about this. Harper

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I had trouble finding Sarna but I found a lotion called Respite which is

essentially the same thing. I take Claritin without which I would be

absolutely nuts with the itching. I use benedryl at night but it gives me a

groggy hangover so I dont use it often.

Shireen

>From: " JJCathcart " <JJCATHCART@...>

>Reply-

>< >, <PBC_Digest-owner >

>Subject: [ ] Pruritus AKA Itching

>Date: Sat, 1 Dec 2001 11:23:30 -0500

>

>

>

> http://www.aad.org/pamphlets/Pruritus.html

>What is pruritus?

>Pruritus is the medical word for itch. It is defined as a sensation that

>provokes the desire to scratch. Itching can be a significant source of

>frustration and discomfort for patients. When severe, it can lead to loss

>of sleep, anxiety, and depression. The exact cause of an itch is unknown

>and is a complex process. Ultimately it involves nerves in the skin

>responding to certain chemicals such as histamine, and then processing

>these signals in the brain. Pruritus can be a symptom of certain skin

>diseases, and sometimes a manifestation of an internal process. In other

>patients where there is no evidence of skin or internal disease, pruritus

>may be due to faulty processing of the itch sensation within the nervous

>system. >> ( I too take Atarax for the itching. For me it is

>mostly at night....a good lotion for short term to help until the Atarax

>kicks in is SARNA..the only lotion suggested by my Liver Tx docs. Avoid

>hot shower....keep skin moist with lotions.I prefer Sesame Oil....as dry

>skin aggravates it. If your feet are really bad a quick relief is to sit

>on side of the tub with very cold water in tub and soak your feet..or just

>sit and run the cold water over them... ahhhh. Joanne C.

>

_________________________________________________________________

Get your FREE download of MSN Explorer at http://explorer.msn.com/intl.asp

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In a message dated 12/2/01 6:02:57 PM Pacific Standard Time, seafarer52@... writes:

I do cheat once in a while

SHAME ON YOU ANN!!! LOLOLOLOLO!!!!!!

sssssshhhhhh.....so do i...........sssshhhh..........lol.....

Bert.

**HAPPY**HOLIDAYS**

**AND WARM HUGS**

Bert. :)

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Hi Jo and Welcome,

When I was itching so bad I couldn't sleep, the dr. prescribed

HYDROXYZINE HCL 25 mg. It relieved the itch in a very short time.

Maybe it would help you too.

~~~~~~~Joanna

> dear support group had been diagnosed in june with aih so

they

> thought since i already have one autimmune disease(CREST)

anyway..since my

> liver enzymes never responded to the prednisone (except a 40 lb

weight gain a

> rash that is making me nuts!!!!!!!!!!) i finally had my liver

bx

> done.......not aih at all but fatty liver disease and what makes is

> worse????????.....prednisone!!!!! i will be starting on actigall

once i get

> rid of this * & & ^%^$%^% ITCH!!!!!!! anyone out there know about

this drug

> ????? my doc said it 's new for fatty liver...it's usually given to

break

> down gall stones for people who would not get through the gall

bladder

> surgery......jo

> ps thanks in advance.

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Ann and Harper,

When I had the entoscopy prior to the liver biopsy they discovered

that I have the ulcers that need treated with antibiotics. The med

they put me on is call ACIPHEX 20 mg. I am still on it because when

I tried stopping on drs instructions, the stomach aches returned.

> In a message dated 12/1/01 5:14:56 PM Pacific Standard Time,

> seafarer52@m... writes:

>

>

> > I usually have itching just on my hands. I would wake up during

the night

> > and find myself scratching them until they bled. I use bag balm

to stop

> > the itching. It works.

> >

> > Ann

> >

>

> Don't forget that itching can by a symptom of something you need to

deal with

> -- high bilirubin levels. Of course, it could be just an allergy

or dry skin!

>

> Ann, regarding your ulcers -- are they the kind that are caused by

a

> bacteria, do you know? I haven't had ulcers in years and don't

remember

> much, but it's recently been learned that some kinds of ulcers are

caused by

> a bacteria and are best treated with antibiotics. Again, I have

very little

> knowledge about this.

> Harper

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Harper,

During one of my many dr visits to find the cause of the URQ, one PA

tested me for H Pylori, a bacteria that does cause stomach

ulcers...came back positive and I was on a 2 week med

regimen...followup test showed H Pylori cleared up...although the URQ

pain never did go away.

nne

> In a message dated 12/1/01 5:14:56 PM Pacific Standard Time,

> seafarer52@m... writes:

>

>

> > I usually have itching just on my hands. I would wake up during

the night

> > and find myself scratching them until they bled. I use bag balm

to stop

> > the itching. It works.

> >

> > Ann

> >

>

> Don't forget that itching can by a symptom of something you need to

deal with

> -- high bilirubin levels. Of course, it could be just an allergy or

dry skin!

>

> Ann, regarding your ulcers -- are they the kind that are caused by a

> bacteria, do you know? I haven't had ulcers in years and don't

remember

> much, but it's recently been learned that some kinds of ulcers are

caused by

> a bacteria and are best treated with antibiotics. Again, I have

very little

> knowledge about this.

> Harper

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Do you feel that you have ulcers from the fact that you have AIH? I have to stay on a strict diet. No tomato sauces, grapefruits, oranges, fried foods, fatty foods. I do cheat once in a while, but my stomach lets me know when I do. With the holidays approaching you can't help by cheat. I'm on carafate, levbid, nexium, I also take corguard for my migraines and synthroid, Not too mention imuran, calcium tablets and a multi=vitamin. Some days I just want to toss them all away, but I know better. ann [ ] Re: Pruritus AKA Itching Ann and Harper,When I had the entoscopy prior to the liver biopsy they discoveredthat I have the ulcers that need treated with antibiotics. The medthey put me on is call ACIPHEX 20 mg. I am still on it because whenI tried stopping on drs instructions, the stomach aches returned.> In a message dated 12/1/01 5:14:56 PM Pacific Standard Time,> seafarer52@m... writes:>>> > I usually have itching just on my hands. I would wake up duringthe night> > and find myself scratching them until they bled. I use bag balmto stop> > the itching. It works.> >> > Ann> >>> Don't forget that itching can by a symptom of something you need todeal with> -- high bilirubin levels. Of course, it could be just an allergyor dry skin!>> Ann, regarding your ulcers -- are they the kind that are caused bya> bacteria, do you know? I haven't had ulcers in years and don'tremember> much, but it's recently been learned that some kinds of ulcers arecaused by> a bacteria and are best treated with antibiotics. Again, I havevery little> knowledge about this.> Harper

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In a message dated 12/2/01 2:45:12 PM Pacific Standard Time, tygrelily17@... writes:

Hi Jo and Welcome,

When I was itching so bad I couldn't sleep, the dr. prescribed HYDROXYZINE HCL 25 mg. It relieved the itch in a very short time.

Maybe it would help you too.

I believe this drug is the same as Atarax. I think I remember reading that itching can be a side effect of Imuran (as well as a sign of elevated bilirubin.)

Harper

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I've had URQ but my test for H Pylori came back negative. That hasn't been the reason for my ulcers. I just seem to have a very acidy stomach. Ann [ ] Re: Pruritus AKA Itching Harper,During one of my many dr visits to find the cause of the URQ, one PAtested me for H Pylori, a bacteria that does cause stomachulcers...came back positive and I was on a 2 week medregimen...followup test showed H Pylori cleared up...although the URQpain never did go away.nne> In a message dated 12/1/01 5:14:56 PM Pacific Standard Time,> seafarer52@m... writes:>>> > I usually have itching just on my hands. I would wake up duringthe night> > and find myself scratching them until they bled. I use bag balmto stop> > the itching. It works.> >> > Ann> >>> Don't forget that itching can by a symptom of something you need todeal with> -- high bilirubin levels. Of course, it could be just an allergy ordry skin!>> Ann, regarding your ulcers -- are they the kind that are caused by a> bacteria, do you know? I haven't had ulcers in years and don'tremember> much, but it's recently been learned that some kinds of ulcers arecaused by> a bacteria and are best treated with antibiotics. Again, I havevery little> knowledge about this.> Harper

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In a message dated 12/3/01 10:15:15 AM Pacific Standard Time, galye@... writes:

Hi All,

The itching that you all are having is an effect from your liver. The Bilirubin even up a tiny bit will cause itching.

gayle/trans 6-99

galye@... q~q

Hi gayle,

i itch all over, and i have heard a lot of people here talk about it!

i am glad it's not all in my head! LoL!

hope you are doing well........

take care.....

**HAPPY**HOLIDAYS**

**AND WARM HUGS**

Bert. :)

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