Autoimmune Hepatitis

[Sarad]

Diagnosis: Chronic active hepatitis with marked interface components and bridging fibrosis. Ulcerative colitis and hypothyroidism.
Can I pass onto my partner any sexual diseases?
I am taking prednisone, imuran and losec, can any of these medications cause
sores in the mouth (tongue)?

[kienyeung]

Women with autoimmune hepatitis can pregnant?? will it transfer to the baby??

[kienyeung]

autoimmune hepatitis will pass to my partner through sexual intercourse?? pls tell me, thanks..

[rockmelon44]

Is everyone moving to the new website?? I will post this on both just in case.  I am doing well I have been on the 6 mp for about a week and loving it.  Some bathroom issues but its okay.  My bloods seem to be staying normal.  Has anyone had high blood pressure from their pill or the condition or anything??.  Been lossing weight got almost 10 pounds off! :-).    Doing Wicked finally feeling like I am in control of this diease.  Hope you ladies are doing well.. take care. talk soon.  :-)

[rockmelon44]

Is everyone moving to the new website?? I will post this on both just in case.  I am doing well I have been on the 6 mp for about a week and loving it.  Some bathroom issues but its okay.  My bloods seem to be staying normal.  Has anyone had high blood pressure from their pill or the condition or anything??.  Been lossing weight got almost 10 pounds off! :-).    Doing Wicked finally feeling like I am in control of this diease.  Hope you ladies are doing well.. take care. talk soon.  :-)

[rockmelon44]

Is everyone moving to the new website?? I will post this on both just in case.  I am doing well I have been on the 6 mp for about a week and loving it.  Some bathroom issues but its okay.  My bloods seem to be staying normal.  Has anyone had high blood pressure from their pill or the condition or anything??.  Been lossing weight got almost 10 pounds off! :-).    Doing Wicked finally feeling like I am in control of this diease.  Hope you ladies are doing well.. take care. talk soon.  :-)

[9743km]

Okay, I'm moving to the new website?  Sara, make sure you move there too????

[iloveigs]

I posted a response to you in the other forum under the very first thread. :)

[iloveigs]

I agree that this thread is getting really long. What about moving over to the new forum for AIH? I'll start a new thread there with a response to Jody515.

Erin :O)

[Jody515]

First let me say I am happy to have found you as a group.  Second, how about someone start a new posting on this because this one is getting so big it takes forever to pull up.
Also, I have noticed some of you saying you will be coming off prednisone soon.  How can this be?? I was diagnosed in either 2001 or 2002, have been on it since, & the doctor doesn't take me off or even suggest it?? What does the doctor say about taking someone off?? I believe I am to be on this for the rest of my life??  Thanks again, Jody

[9743km]

Good Luck today.  I wonder what is going on w/your ribs?  I think your GI will probably be able to give you more information.  You always feel better after talking to them, huh?  Well let us know as soon as you hear something.

Have a Good One

[iloveigs]

Hi everyone :)

Kim, glad to hear that you get to reduce the pred finally!!!

I'm having a blood draw this afternoon and will find out the results tomorrow morning and then I have an appt. with my GI at 10:30.

I've been having problems w/ inflammed cartilage in my left ribs...at least that's what I think it is. At first I thought it might be pluerisy, but now I'm thinking otherwise. I went to see my GP Monday b/c of it....it was very painful. She prescribed an anti-inflammatory (Naproxen). I've taken 5 pills of it so far and while it hasn't gotten any worse, I don't think it's helping yet. I read on the internet that Naproxen could elevate LFT's, so I called my GI nurse yesterday to make sure it was ok to be taking it. She checked w/ my GI and he said it was fine....well, if my LFT's are elevated today, I'm going to be mad!!

Anyways, crossing my fingers for another reduction tomorrow, hopefully I'll be down to 5mg pred and then hopefully off it in 2 more weeks.

I'll let you know how it goes tomorrow.

[9743km]

Hi Sara...Yes, I heard from my nurse yesterday afternoon.  Finally, the time has come to reduce my prednisone.  They put me down to 10 mg and to be tested again in 2 weeks.  I Pray that I can hold it steady...Thanks for Praying for me, it is surely working!!!!
How are you feeling?  Is the nausea subsiding at all?

Gentle liver...I could not handle the imuran.  I felt great on it, but it caused a toxicity in my body, and I was taken off of it and switched to 6 MP.  Which is basically the same thing, but for some reason people who can't handle imuran do well on 6 MP.  It seems to be going good now.  Let me be the first to say, having a toxicity to imuran is rare.  Most people do fabolous on imuran and never, ever have a problem.  So feel pretty confident that you'll do great, like most others do.  Most people seem to like imuran.

Have a Good One!

[Sarad]

Well about the drinking alcohol stuff, everyone is different. My Dr. also told me a good glass of red wine is OK once in a while. I do have half a glass once in a wine with a meal, I haven't noticed any problems because of that.
Rockmelon44 let us know how your blood tests go.
Kim have you heard from your Dr. yet. I am praying for you that pred. will go down a bit.
I have been on imuran since the beginning and haven't had any complications with it.
My next labs are only in about a month.
Well ladies take good care.

[gentleliver]

That's interesting, because I am young (27) and my Liver Doctor said that I could have a drink here and there... However, my father who is a general practitioner, advised against it because my numbers could bounce. I have mostly been avoiding it because one drink isn't really that fun anyway and because I hate, hate, hate steroids and will do anything to be off them ASAP.
Speaking of which, I started Imuran 2 weeks ago. I seem to have a reduced appetite (good) but no nausea. Have you guys like Imuran for the most part?

[rockmelon44]

I am not sure if your as young as me and all  your firend like to go downtown and have a few.  My doctor told me once in awhile is okay, but very little when i do drink and not often.  He said dont go home everynight and drink wine with supper.  But every couple of months a glass wont kill you.  everyone is differnet though I would ask you doctor.

[9743km]

Thanks for the tip on the eyes...

As far as the alcohol goes, I definitely do not recommend it.  I have not touched any alcohol, but I will tell you this, in December my numbers went high, which now they found was due to a cold I was fighting, but my Dr asked me immediately if I had any alcohol over the Christmas/New Years celebrations because even a little alcohol can cause the liver numbers to really rise.  For your own livers health, I say try to stay away!  When I told my Dr. no, he even asked me if I had 1 glass?  He said even w/one glass he notices it with a lot of his patients...I know what you mean about indulging, trust me, but just my opinion.  Eat a brownie instead!!!!!!!!!!  ha ha

[gentleliver]

I have definitely noticed a difference in my eyes. They are dry and tired a lot. It isn't anything major, but it certainly is a difference...

Does anybody consume alcohol in this forum? I had my first glass of wine since October the other night and have major concerns that it is goign to make my numbers bounce/delay my steroid tapering. I'm pretty sure it will be fine, but I just wondered... It's nice to indulge every now and then.

[rockmelon44]

i am one crazy fool I have been taking nothing for 2 weeks now but my tummy is happy to get back to normal from all the sickness from the imuran.  Need to start the 6MP this week though feel like I am playing with fire.  My bloods levels still remain normal except one went up abit but nothing major.  Nice to meet you Jody I was just diagnosed in Nov and its been up and down.  I have been relatively good though only on pres. for 3 months.

it soo great not taking a pill cocktail anymore.  I hope everyone keeps up doing well. and I have diabetes type 2 and tyroid in my family but no major auto issues.  

Getting bloods done this week. hope they are staying normal. :-)

[9743km]

Awsome "can do" attitude Sara.  That is what will get us through....

I'll let you guys know as soon as I hear something.  I am hoping my nurse will be back to work and by monday/tuesday I'll hear something...I guess even Liver nurses need a day off, huh???

Take care Guys...

[Sarad]

Welcome Jody I am glad you found this forum.
Sorry to hear about all you family history.
I have coltis and AIH. From what I understood fro my liver Dr. most of this is genetic.
Kim: I haven't had any problems with my eyes but I will start paying attention.
I thing you are right about knowing your body and I think it's a good idea to talk to your doctor. Keep us updated on everything.
I have been feeling a bit better the last couple of days. I notice when I excersice I get this nauseaus feeling but I won't let it win and I will not stop excersicing.
Take care ladies.

[9743km]

Hey ladies....No news today.  My liver nurse was not in so they told me I should hear something on monday.  They told me all my numbers were entered into the computer, but the Dr and my nurse still had to discuss.  So I'll let you know when I hear..

On a different note:  Went out to dinner tonight and to a hockey game w/my hubby and another couple.  The restaurant and the hockey game(someone was smoking in a no smoking ice arena)were smokey.  Well, my eyes are killing me.  They are red and kind of achy.  Any of you get like that in smokey areas???  Now that I'm home they seem to be doing better, but it was bad.  I realize I haven't been around smoke lately.  Not sure if my eyes are getting yucky from the sterroids or what.  Let me know.  I don't think we've ever discussed "achy eyes" before....Ha ha

P.S.  Welcome Jody515.....

Have a Good Night!

[Jody515]

Hi,
Well, we weren't aware of all these autoimmune disorders until the last 5 yrs or so other then my maternal aunt passing of lupus & we did not know nor understand that it could be an inherited factor when she passed away in the 70's.  Then of course, when my older brother became ill with his diseases, don't know if we knew even then.  It was only when I discussed with my doctor all of those things, that I was informed these were called autoimmune disorders & not until I started going out on the web did I recognize them even halfway as to what it meant.  My cousin who passed was only informed of her disease about 3 yrs ago.  She went downhill in Dec when she was put on high doses of prednisone, but I guess by then it was too late to do much.
I know there aren't many persons out there who have the two forms of hepatitis going on, I have been informed of this by my doctor. I kind of requested the autoimunne forum to Harry due to this & also all the diseases rampant in my family.
Thanks for the welcome, much appreciated.  Jo

[iloveigs]

Hi Judy :)

Wow, you have a lot going on in your family...sorry to hear about all the bad stuff.

I've never heard of anyone having a viral hep form and AIH...but then again, I'm pretty new to this myself.

I have AIH, Lupus, and colitis and was just diagnosed w/ the first 2 last Nov.

I'm down to 10mg of prednisone and 25mg of imuran.

I don't know of anyone else in my family w/ any autoimmune issues, except for a paternal first cousin that has RA.

Welcome to our little family. :)

Erin

[Jody515]

Hello Everyone,
So sorry to hear there are so many out there with AIH & other autoimmune disorders.  
I have AIH myself, was diagnosed in 2001 along with HCV.  I know when I contracted the HCV, was in summer of 1997 & not from needle use.  I jaundiced & urinated brown, went to my doctor, had all hepatitis tests ran for a good 6 months & nothing showed up.  I kept getting severe arthritic problems in upper part of body & was told it was just arithritis.  In addition I kept losing alot of weight.  My husband was diagnosed with HCV in 2001.  His doctor ran the test due to seeing the tatoos on his arm & that he had got them while in Nam.  When his test came bk positive, I remembered the problems had & that no show of any form of hepatitis had shown up after 6 months of repeated testing.  I immediately ran to the doctor again & this time was diagnosed with the HCV.  It took me a good 6 months to get into see a gastro dr.  During all of his testing, I did give him the family background of an aunt dying of Lupus & my older brother having Chron's disease along with rhuematoid arth.  After the biopsy came bk it was found that I also had AIH.  I was immediately put on 50 mg of prednisone & 50 mg of Imuran.  I am now down to 5 mg of prednisone along with the Imuran & seem to be doing pretty well.  I have also tx for the HCV for a total of 40 wks & been ok with that now for a yr & half.  I have been informed though by my hep doctor that either one can activate & trigger the other one into action & could still require a transplant down the line.  In additon to my older brother having 2 autoimmune diseases, I have a younger brother who will probably die from NASH, another autoimmune disease of the liver.  I had a first cousin pass recently from an autoimmune disease of the pulmonary system.  When I google this in, I come up with systemic lupus. I think this is something passed down thru the genes but am not really clear on this.  I return to the Hepatologist this spring for blood work & am writing down questions about all this to help me. with.  
I find that I must be out of the norm to have both a viral form of hepatitis along with the AIH.  I guess the viral thing kicked in the gene for the AIH.  Anyone out there ever have this issue also?
And do any of you have all of these autoimmune issues in the family??
Thanks for any insight, Jody