AIH - portal-portal bridging fibrosis - Stage 3 fibrosis?

[karenw]

Donna,
I tried to get back to my original post on AIH and liver biopsy results but I don't know how to get to it so I can't read your post.

I did see my rheumy on Feb 7th.  My GI is going to let her monitor my AIH since I also have lupus.  My GI told me he didn't need to see my liver enzymes for six months, but she said she will definitely need to see me and lab work more often than every six months.  I will see her again in mid March.  She is going to begin tapering my prednisone down on Feb 22nd.  I'm taking 20 mg a day now and will drop the dose 2.5 mg daily every two weeks until I am down to 10 mg a day in April.  This is assuming that my liver enzymes stay at or near normal.

I feel a little uneasy about my GI being somewhat nonchalant about the AIH, but I do know my rheumy will stay on top of things.  My liver biopsy showed portal-portal bridging fibrosis, but negative for extablished cirrhosis.  It also stated 'The inflammatory process focally disrupts the limiting plate with minimal interface hepatitis (piecemeal necrosis).  According to what I've read, the bridging fibrosis would indicate that I have Stage 3 fibrosis (with Stage 4 being cirrhosis).  However, when I asked my GI if the damage to my liver was Stage 3 fibrosis, he just said, 'not necessarily', but didn't explain what stage the damage is at or why it's not necessarily Stage 3 even though there is portal-portal bridging fibrosis.

Can someone help me understand this a little better?

Thanks,
Karen W

[cat33]

The GI who did my biopsy was not very clear with me . So I went in and asked for a copy of my biopsy and labs. I sat down and had to look up almost every word on that biopsy. But in the end I knew what it was . About 2 weeks later they called me in for a follow up visit. I met with the nurse practioner. who told me what I already knew . I am at stage four. the bioposy said 2 of 3 and then said something about 3 of 4. She said I should make an appointment to see a liver transpant center for an eveluation. They mad it seem as if I was going to keel over walking out the door, Ive been for my eveluation and no one indicated I was that bad off.  HOPE ALL GOES WELL FOR YOU.