Hey there. Just thought it was time to drop in & give an update here. I was having some of the greatest months in years - even able to do some things I hadn't in years. My family & I did a major across country move and what a great blessing it's been for us all. A dream come true!
I was able to do so many more things that I was so happy w/that. I was having so much fun and felt so much younger!
Then, I hit this wall of exhaustion, and started going thru some flareups. Was hoping it would just go away, so was trying to think positive and all. But, then liver & thyroid type symptoms came back and muscles have started to get weaker, and that flu-like type aching, etc.
Anyway, of course with our move, I had to find us all new docs, so I was definitely praying on that one. I know how important it is to get the RIGHT docs 1st off. And check this out! I found this very COMPASSIONATE, and very SMART family doc that I found. She also has a sense of humour which I like, too. My kids really liked her a lot, so that helped!
Well, it had been about a yr. since my last big testing, cuz I was so busy with the move and getting my kids in new activities and all. And that break was nice, btw! 8)
Results:
Thyroid - H (upped meds again)
Bilirubin, ALT, & AST - H
That was my highest liver enzymes yet. ALT about 6x out the HIGH range. So, doc sent me to a Gastroenterologist w/Liver Specialty. Man was he good. Haven't had a gastro for close to 15yrs. He said just looking at my blood test history, it looked like Autoimmune Hepatitis(AIH), but he wanted to be sure. He said the on & off abnormal liver tests showed I was getting liver inflammation. He wanted to rule out many other types of liver diseases, so he did lots of testing. Those extra tests were normal.
After all these yrs. of not knowing, he did my 1st liver needle biopsy. So, now it's official - Autoimmune Hepatitis (AIH) aka Chronic Active Hepatitis. Tho' at least in the area biopsied it showed NO fibrosis(scarring). Amen for that! Tho' they say it only takes one bad flareup. The great part that I read is that the liver is a miraculous organ and can repair/regenerate for quite some time. When it can't keep up or a severe flareup hits, that's when scarring can start. He said it's the attack on the liver that causes all my liver symptoms.
My new specialist said he wants to keep a very close watch on me now. So, he gave me a standing order for blood tests every 3 mths. And said to come in earlier if I get sick in a flareup. Well, the one thing I was relieved about was that several times over the yrs. docs tested me w/the viral hepatitis panel it's always negative. PTL! And while it's not good to have any Hepatitis, I am relieved to finally have a NAME for all those liver flareups on & off over many yrs. I was already going thru it, just didn't know what IT was. Another mystery disease now named. AIH. At least it's only showing in the earlier grades of inflammation right now.
Now, I have my colonoscopy coming up. Had a small colon polyp removed so long ago, & haven't been checked since. But this is the full colon this time. The test I'm ok with, it's the icky PRE-PREP that I am sooo not looking forward to.
Gross!!
ick! Hopefully this test comes out normal. But if they see any polyps, at least they remove them right then. I'll let ya know how it goes.
Anyone else have AIH on here? Seems there are many of us on here that had the Endometriosis & Hypothyroidism link. My Gastro specialist said I have the overall Autoimmune Disease Process and my liver is being attacked also. Over many yrs., the doc-given diagnosis below sure shows a pattern...
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Hypothyroid
Autoimmune Hepatitis
SF Peripheral Neuropathy
Autonomic Dysfunction
Pre/Early Diabetes
Interstitial Cystitis
Neurocardiogenic Syncope
Endometriosis, Adenomyosis, Cysts, Fibroids
Endometrial Polyp & Colon Polyp
Mild Mitral Valve Leakage & EKG abnormalities
Full-body Tremor
Early Macular Degeneration
Rosacea
etc...
Then, I hit this wall of exhaustion, and started going thru some flareups. Was hoping it would just go away, so was trying to think positive and all. But, then liver & thyroid type symptoms came back and muscles have started to get weaker, and that flu-like type aching, etc.
Anyway, of course with our move, I had to find us all new docs, so I was definitely praying on that one. I know how important it is to get the RIGHT docs 1st off. And check this out! I found this very COMPASSIONATE, and very SMART family doc that I found. She also has a sense of humour which I like, too. My kids really liked her a lot, so that helped!
Well, it had been about a yr. since my last big testing, cuz I was so busy with the move and getting my kids in new activities and all. And that break was nice, btw! 8)
Results:
Thyroid - H (upped meds again)
Bilirubin, ALT, & AST - H
That was my highest liver enzymes yet. ALT about 6x out the HIGH range. So, doc sent me to a Gastroenterologist w/Liver Specialty. Man was he good. Haven't had a gastro for close to 15yrs. He said just looking at my blood test history, it looked like Autoimmune Hepatitis(AIH), but he wanted to be sure. He said the on & off abnormal liver tests showed I was getting liver inflammation. He wanted to rule out many other types of liver diseases, so he did lots of testing. Those extra tests were normal.
After all these yrs. of not knowing, he did my 1st liver needle biopsy. So, now it's official - Autoimmune Hepatitis (AIH) aka Chronic Active Hepatitis. Tho' at least in the area biopsied it showed NO fibrosis(scarring). Amen for that! Tho' they say it only takes one bad flareup. The great part that I read is that the liver is a miraculous organ and can repair/regenerate for quite some time. When it can't keep up or a severe flareup hits, that's when scarring can start. He said it's the attack on the liver that causes all my liver symptoms.
My new specialist said he wants to keep a very close watch on me now. So, he gave me a standing order for blood tests every 3 mths. And said to come in earlier if I get sick in a flareup. Well, the one thing I was relieved about was that several times over the yrs. docs tested me w/the viral hepatitis panel it's always negative. PTL! And while it's not good to have any Hepatitis, I am relieved to finally have a NAME for all those liver flareups on & off over many yrs. I was already going thru it, just didn't know what IT was. Another mystery disease now named. AIH. At least it's only showing in the earlier grades of inflammation right now.
Now, I have my colonoscopy coming up. Had a small colon polyp removed so long ago, & haven't been checked since. But this is the full colon this time. The test I'm ok with, it's the icky PRE-PREP that I am sooo not looking forward to.
Anyone else have AIH on here? Seems there are many of us on here that had the Endometriosis & Hypothyroidism link. My Gastro specialist said I have the overall Autoimmune Disease Process and my liver is being attacked also. Over many yrs., the doc-given diagnosis below sure shows a pattern...
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Hypothyroid
Autoimmune Hepatitis
SF Peripheral Neuropathy
Autonomic Dysfunction
Pre/Early Diabetes
Interstitial Cystitis
Neurocardiogenic Syncope
Endometriosis, Adenomyosis, Cysts, Fibroids
Endometrial Polyp & Colon Polyp
Mild Mitral Valve Leakage & EKG abnormalities
Full-body Tremor
Early Macular Degeneration
Rosacea
etc...