Elevated ALT levels

[sully015]

I returned from Mexico 15 January 2006. On Jan. 23 alt levels were found to be 72. Next testing on Jan 27 Hepatatis panels all negative, but alt still elevated @ 74. Doctor suggested possible elevation from long lasting cold. Suggested re-test in approx. 1 month. March 9 test = alt of 104. Repeated hepatitis test. Results not back yet. I am completely asymptomatic. I am wondering, What can all be causing these elevated alt levels? I am a non smoker, very rare drinker (maybe 2 a month). Any ideas? Are there any other things that can lead to this elevation?

[jmjm530]

Since I didn't stop my riba until a week after the last shot, I thought about doing another Procrit with the last riba, or at least a half dose.

But in the end, I just wanted to be rid of all these drugs and their sides. I figure being off the riba should more than compensate for no Procrit. Anyway, serious anemia hasn't been a big problem lately. BTW did have steak and baked potato last night, hope you had yours or something equally enjoyable.

-- Jim

[OnAPrettyPoison]

Please be sure and post the results from your doctor's visit Monday.  We pray your hgb is back up sufficiently, and your PCR will probably take a week to come back.  As much as you have suffered with the anemia, I have no doubts that you will be undetectble.  Stay well, and may the sides subside!!!!!!!!

[Mister beagle bailey]

Goodmorning,

How are you feeling this Sunday?

I know what you mean about N.O. and Mississippi, I've never seen any thing like it and June 1st starts the new season.  About 2 months ago they down graded Katrina to a cat. 3which I find hard to believe.  In 2004 I lived where both jean and fran came a shore and they were a cat 3, it was bad but know where like Miss. and N.O., my heart goes out to them.

Beagle

[OnAPrettyPoison]

Rocker thank you for the prayer and the links.  I always look forward to the prayer on Sunday.

I wonder if Eyedeas has another song for us?????

Fisheress/Cuteus, New Orleans and MS gulf coast are beyond belief.  Pictures and descriptions will never do it justice.  I went for a day to NO for Mardi Gras, and though the quarter is intact, that is about it.  The devastation just starts spreading from the high areas.  I went to MS coast shortly after the storm hit, but haven't seen it in person lately but I understand it doesn't look a whole lot better now, but they are getting some of the debris moved and out.  MS is pretty much a debris field 80 miles long and varying miles deep.  If you go, take a lot of anti-depressants with you.  The media here reports it is starting to wear down the population with spikes in crime, alcoholism, and drug abuse and I can understand why.  And the new hurricane season will be coming soon.....

[Mister beagle bailey]

Rocker and Jim,

Thanks for the prayer it was well recieved.  

Hope all is well.

BB

[dyce]

Thanks sir, the prayer is nice and that is something needed more of in this world we live in. Thanks for the link on the rooibis tea , I'm gonna give it a try. I'm currently supplimenting with whey protien powder and nac . I've also been using the ginger crystals mixed with honey for the nausea. Thanks again,

            Dyce

[dyce]

Welcome to the gang. Iknow that 1st shot can be a doozie but after that the other 2 havn't been nears as bad. I was out doing some errans when the sx's started to come, it was about 6hours after I took the 1st one and I hurried home and covered up with some blankets. I thought I was going to freeze todeath.
You'll see, it will get better.

Have a sx's free day, Dyce

[Fisheress]

Thanks for asking about Brother.  Sissy here is still taking care of him.  He is settled in an apt only 3 mins from my home.  No, he is not moving back to Biloxi due to the medical tx he needs (no place to live either....gone!).  Hip replacement is scheduled for April 12th, he will be in the Hospital for maybe a couple of weeks and selfish me won't have to make runs to the Grocery store, pharmacy and everywhere else I go for my prisoner.  LOL! We joke about that all the time, the only time his front door opens is when the warden (me) comes in.  I told him if he worked real hard at therapy that we would make a trip to Biloxi between surgeries (3 months apart on hip replacement) and go visit our family and friends.  He is doing GREAT not drinking (of couse I am his only resource to get Wodka) but I think the Hep C (recently dianosed) has got him thinking too seeing what I am going thru.  Anyway, thats what is going on w/him besides today I go pick him up a car my friend is selling me for $300.00 due to my bros circumstances.  The blue book value is like $3500.00.  Everyone has been wonderful helping my family.  A good friend sent $500.00 to help w/the $900.00 deductable for Bro's surgery which was awfully generous.  PRAYER DOES WORK!

Anyway I will keep ya posted on him and hopefully after he is back on his feet and both hips are done, my work w/him will be over with.  I would like to see him start tx next year also for the Hep C.  Big sissy is thinking on txing here soon too.

Me, getting by, getting by.  The itchies about drove me crazy last night!  Took a benedryl about 7, pills at 8 and inject at 8:30....then a tylenol pm at 10pm and another pm about 1:30 am.  Finally stopped the itch!  Have not had it this bad since starting tx.  And the weight thing?  I wanted to lose weight, not gain! Wanted to be around 120-115lbs.  145 is big for me because of my small frame!

Well  thats my lastest news, sorry I rambled on.

God bless all this wonderful day and everyday.

Fisheress
P.S.  Thanks Rocker again for the beautiful prayer! :}

[cgd914]

struggling to make it thru the last 6 weeks of 48 weeks of treatment.  Fatigue has hit hard.  All I can do to make it to and from work.  I am so anticipating this time to fly by can't keep myself busy cuz I am too dang tired. Seem to find myself depressed these days. I know there is nothing anyone can say, I think i just needed to vent.  UGH

[cuteus]

centenarians' take on longevity
"Edelman's seniors agree on the secret of longevity: Don't worry, don't hate, maintain a positive attitude, and keep busy."

it's all in the genes! most of it, and in your attitude. If I eat a handful of sprouts and feel deprived and stressed, but eat a handful of potato chips and feel happy and satisfied feeling no guilt, I think the latter is a healthier choice in the end! of course doing that every day, all day, will eventually catch up with you, but total deprivation is not the answer either. From those that have been there, done that:
http://ezinearticles.com/?The-Secrets-of-the-Centenarians:--How-to-Live-to-100!&id=23013

I wonder how many 99 yr olds have a profile in Match.com?

[cuteus]

how is your brother doing these days? is he planning to go back home or has he settled in your state for good? I was planning a trip to NO this May for my daughter's graduation, we'll see what is like now.

You can eat Mexican food? good for you! I had a hard time with spicy foods, it hurt my tongue, and even real minty gum or toothpaste was an ordeal.

If you want a good medical thriller on the beef industry, try reading Robin Cook's, Toxin. If that does not turn you into a vegetarian, nothing will.

I found myself eating a lot of sugary stuff on tx and salting foods more. I wonder if the iodized salt kept my thyroid from crashing? I did not gain or loose wt. I think your metabolism speeds up on tx but at the same time you get the tired feeling.
on with the fight!

[lilmoma]

That was beautiful,........and much needed. I just dont have the energy to go to church this morning.
I hope all has a great day, that is restful, and filled with hope.
lilmoma

[jmjm530]

Thanks PK. It seemed fear of relapse was more of a factor in deciding when to stop, but once the decision was made I haven't really thught about it.

I'm sure I'll be sweating out the first post-tx PCR, but at this point I did all I could and it's out of my hands.

Should relapse occur, it will be dealt with as new and separate life event --  sometime in the future, with a lot more knowledge going in, and hopefully with at least some newer drugs. This chapter is closed, and I feel it was a success regardless of outcome. None of us can control the reuslts, just the process.
----------------------------

A Sunday morning prayer to all who have treated, who are treating and who plan to treat. May SVR be there for you. If not, may you have the strength and wisdom to enjoy life to its fullest capacity regardless.

-- Jim

[Mister beagle bailey]

I am also concerned about the mad cow problem.  I don't trust the goverment on the  mundane or any thing
else for that matter.  I do believe the protential for mad cow getting into the food chain is very high.  It's amazing how they always say they caught it before it came to that, but given the fact that it takes 10 to 20 years to come out in a infected person we are all in for a rude awakening down the road.

BB

[PKCO]

Jim,

Congratulations for making it all the way!
I just read your post concerning the end of tx for you.  I can relate to your sense of self-accomplishment--- it can be one of the hardest things we will ever do in our lives.

It's impossible not to feel some level of anxiety over relapse. Especially, when you consider what you have invested in the tx.

I, too, believe in the power of prayer. You will have mine for SVR.

Best regards,
PK

*Whenever I found myself thinking about relapsing, I'd immediately shift my focus and say a prayer for those who have relapsed. It both diverted my thoughts about relapse and allowed me to turn a negative event into a positive one. :)

[Fisheress]

Really not anthting different than beore tx w/the exception I may not eat all day but now hav ecereal in the morns, sandwich , turkey w/baby swiss cheese (no mayo) and then dinner which usally consit of a salad (every evening) pork, fish, pasta nite once every 2 weeks with grilled cicken breast on top, acutally we eat very well......and all at home cooked meals w/the exception of our once a week or every 2 weeks mexican food treat at favoriate restaurant,,, gotta keep that in the schedule!  And really no sweets!

Thanks
Fisherss

[Mister beagle bailey]

Just read your top 10 list, LOL...

Sounds like what I see on Letterman.

BB

[Mister beagle bailey]

Wow! can't believe you didn't lose weight and gained some.  How did you manage that?  I'm down around 25 lbs andtrying to hold on to what I have.  That is great!
I've been using the gold bond since day one of tx and so far no itch or rash.
I to would like to know what foods raise the ALT but my Dr. always said it did, even some meds like the statin's used for high cholesterol and tylenol yet were told to take it for fever while we treating.

Hope your night iswell

BB

[Fisheress]

I too had raised liver enzymes on my 24 week PCR although undectable since week 12.  Coordinator asked me if I had been drinking alcohol which my response was "absoulty not" (kinda hurt my feelers!)  Now that you have mentioned it, what foods would elevate enzymes?  What foods should be avoided besides shell fish, oysters and raw seafood?  What is a good diet to be on while on meds?  I have not lost a lb although have gained some weight but my thyroid test came back fine.

I too have planted my veg garden last weekend and looking forward to fresh tomatos, herbs, peppers, onions and carrots.  All makes for a great daily salad!

Any diet ideas would be greatly appreciated.  I am 5'3 and now 145....started tx at 130lbs!

Also jmjm, in a earlier thread (congrats again!) I stated I was on 20/48 - 1A......Blonde moment (figures). I just did this evening 28 of 48.  Having major itching issues today and tonight.  Just took a Benedryl, hope it helps or I am going to have to cut my finger nails off real short as to not make scratches and cause infection and mop my bod down w/Gold Bond.

Hope everyone has a side free evening.

All my best to all of you........

Fisheress

[OnAPrettyPoison]

Jim, you have been on treatment so long you probably forgot what normal felt like!  I can't remember, and I have only been on 31 weeks to your 54!  But I can't wait to find out... ;-)

Rocker, the other thread had closed, but it's good to know you have your junk food!  I did want to ask about the apple cider vinegar - did I read somewhere it helped with blood sugar/cholesterol?  My nutrition hasn't been stellar while on treatment - mostly cause I hate to go to the store after working all day!  I am glad it is warming up, cause I do love my fresh vegetables, and I can't wait for fresh home grown tomatoes and squash, and I have a fresh food market that will be opening up in about a month by my house.  YUM!

[Mister beagle bailey]

You are a 2B like me so yes you will probably treat for 24 weeks.  Hope your night goes well and your sides are not bad.  If they are I promise you it will get better.  I found the first shot the worse, but by tomorrow you'll feel better. I'm not a great lover of water but it became my best friend.

Be well,

Beagle

[Mister beagle bailey]

One thing I meant to say before was that most here have had Hep C for 20,30 or more years and didn't know till they had the tests. I my self has had hep C since 1997 and my ALT was 79 before starting treatment.  Your ALT in 2 months have really jumped fast. I may be wrong but I think to fast to be hep C and you did test neg. on the first test.  Did your DR. do a viral load for the Hep C virus?

BB

[Mister beagle bailey]

If the test comes back again and it's not hep then it may be something you ingested, even at the resort.  It happened to Beth Midler about 10 or so years ago.  What has me puzzled is your numbers keep going up and your home.  I'm know Dr., none of us here are but if it's not hep C then you might have picked up a bug or parasite.

Bob

[friscosue13]

Thanks for the advice.  I have my Tylenol PM at the ready and keep two Brita pitchers filled in my fridge at all times -- and actually DRINK the water!  I think I may have spoken too soon.  The "flu-like symptoms" started acting up while I was grocery shopping.  I'm feeling a bit stooped over.

I'm a 2b who was under the impression that I'd be treating 24 weeks.  My pharmacist suggested that my dr may have written an extra month just-in-case.  I have to get my blood drawn this Thursday so maybe the PA will know.  PA visits are co-pay free, so I'll wait to ask my dr when I see him.

Sleep well!