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)?

[9743km]

Thank you for the information.  Yes, I think you are the only text book case.  I started the prednisone at 40 too and 25 imuran.  But then my Dr. kept raising the imuran as he reduced the prednisone.  When I look back at my tests, everytime they raised imuran I wouldn't do as well for awhile.  Then I turned completely allergic to imuran.
Now I am on 12.5 of prednisone and they started me on 50 of 6 MP (like an imuran).  On Dec 17th they kept me on 12.5 of prednisone and bumped me up to 100 of 6 MP.  That next test result was terrible, my numbers went through the roof.  Now they are coming down from that.  Dec 31 I was AST 175 and ALT 151.  But before the boost in 6 MP I was almost normal.  So in thinking about this I want to discuss w/my Dr. that maybe my body can't handle that much 6 MP and prednisone.  To start weening me off the prednisone and not to continue to keep raising the 6 MP until I am on a much lower dose of prednisone.  This is all come about from me waking up at 3 AM yesterday and not being able to fall asleep.  So I pulled out all of my blood labs and starting charting and looking for patterns...And now I see that is what your Dr. does.  He didn't keep raising the 6 MP (imuran).  I'm sure I'll hear from them today.  I'll let you guys know.  

I just feel that nobody knows my body better then me.  I'm the only one who is in charge of me.  So I'm going to talk to him today and see what he thinks of my theory.  I don't want to be a "pushy" patient, but in looking at the information it looks like I may be right.  Though last time I spoke to my liver nurse she told me as long as my numbers had a nice decline they would probably reduce prednisone again.  So here is to hoping....
I may just have to use you as a example Sara....

Take care everyone.  By the way how was your Valentine's Day?  Hope you had a happy day!!!

[Sarad]

First of all I am glad to hear that your numbers have gotten a bit lower. With our disease even if it is just a bit it's good.
I started all my medications May 1st 2007.
40 mg prednisone and 75 mg imuran.
The Imuran never changed I am still on 75 mg.
It may go down for the first time to 50 mg when I have my next labs in about a month from now. It all depends on my results. I see that I am the only one who started imuran from the very beginning and stayed on the same dosage the entire time. Is this correct?
My liver Dr. said that I am one of his only patients that is going the way it is written in the books with the dosages of all the medications.
I hope it just stays like this.
Kim: Have you heard from your live DR. yet? Any news about reducing the prednisone?
Erin: What is your dosage of prednisone and imuran at now?
Well ladies take good care. Hope you all had a nice Valentines day?
Be strong.

[iloveigs]

Hey :)

I can't really respond in a helpful way to your question. I've only been on a low dose of imuran and it was added about a month after I started the prednisone and I've just been slowly decreasing on the prednisone w/ no increase yet on the imuran.....hopefully sarad will have better info for you!

[9743km]

Quick question for you:  I woke up in the night trying to self diagnose myself so I wanted to ask you a question.  Did your Dr. raise your imuran as your numbers got closer to the normal range or when he took you off of the prednisone?  Or did he raise your imuran as you were going through the process?  As I was looking at my chart that my liver Dr. put together I see that everytime my 6 MP has been raised I don't do as well.  I had my biggest reduction in liver numbers when they took me off the imuran and 6 mp and just had me on prednisone.  So I was thinking of asking him to try me for 2 wks on the prednisone only and see how I do.  If numbers keep reducing then add the 6 MP as I get off the prednisone.  Let me know how your Dr's did it.  I'm wondering if both those drugs together are to much for my body.  

Take care ladies and let me know.....I'll  let you know if I hear from my liver Dr. today

[9743km]

Hi ladies,
Well ladies, I had my blood drawn.  I have not heard from my liver Dr. yet, but my numbers did get better.  Thank you Lord.  Still not in the norm yet, but getting there.  My AST stayed the same 69.  My ALT went from 151 to 129.  And my bilirubin went from 2.54 to 2.40.  So slowly but surely.
Pray my Dr. thinks it is lowering enough to reduce me.  He has reduced before as long as its really moving in the right direction.  All my other labs (3 pages) were normal.  You know the hematology section and the blood clotting section.
Thanks for thinking of me.  You guys are great!  
Sarad, I am w/you.  I am out like a light by 11 PM.  That is even a stretch.  Usually 10:30.  I can't imagine what will happen when I'm off the prednisone.
Take Care Ladies!  

[Sarad]

Hey Kim,
Lots of luck with your labs. If you have been feeling OK lately I'm sure everything will be fine. Lets us know your results when you get them.
I know what you feel about that burning out feeling. Now that I am off prednisone my body has alot to adjust too. I was use to being up till late with no problem and now I fall asleep on the couch just as soon as the kids are sleeping. I hate that, even before this disease and all the sterroids I was energetic and never in bed before 11PM.
Well I guess it's just another thing we must adjust to.
Take care ladies.