Autoimmune Hepatitis & other autoimmune diseases

[Jody515]

Hi,
Just wondering if any out there that are suffering from autoimmune hepatitis have other family members that have autoimmune diseases?  I have 2 brothers who both have autoimmune diseases plus a cousin who just passed from one.  In addition, my cousin who passed, her mother passed from Lupus in her forties. I have also been thru tx for HCV and am okay now for about yr and half.
Jody

[iloveigs]

Ok, just goes to show I have memory issues!

I think I was actually thinking of Celebrex as the non steriodal anti inflammatory.

what class of drugs does Cellcept belong too?

[iloveigs]

Hey Kim

I was wondering what type of reactions you had to the Imuran? My GI/rheumy just had me do the lab for 6 MMP to see if the Imuran is causing toxicity. I personally don't think this is the problem (as to why I'm still having joint pain, sore throat, chest discomfort) but now have to wait a week for the lab to come back. We already did this lab before I started taking it and I'm not feeling anything other than the exact same symptoms I had when it all started.

I looked into the Cellcept and I can't take it, unfortunately, since it's a non-steriodal anti inflammatory b/c it might affect my colitis. I kind of have the short end of the stick....can't take tylenol, ibuprofen, pepto, anything...ugh!

Erin

[2Young4This]

Sorry it has taken so long to get back to you.  I only get on the forum at work on my breaks.  Well I was disgnosed in 2004 at the age of 25.  I have not had children yet and really want to.   The doctors are telling me absolutely not while I am on Immuran.  I have had two biopsies of the liver.  My 1st biopsy was not good at all.  There are like four levels of damage and all but one test result came back  3 of 4.  I showed signs of bridging fibrosis.  I was put on Prednisone for 6 months and then on Immuran.  I have been on 75mg for 3 yrs now.  Last year I had another biopsy.  Although my labs showed much improvement, my actual liver did not.  So needless to say still no children.  They upped my dosage to 125mg of Immuran and 9mg of Entocort.  I do have other health problems but I dont know if they are connected to AIH.  Like I said before, I cant find anyone in my area that has this, but it helps to talk to others that do.  Thanks for listening.

[Jody515]

HOpe this finds all okay, so sorry Erin about your inflammed hands & fingers.  That is terrible to have to endure so much.  Perhaps you could find out about that drug Kim was speaking of from your doctor & who knows, it may work for you.  Christine46 posted to us on June 25th or so, perhaps you could help him, he may be having the same issues as you? I couldn't help him because I really had never experienced anything of the nature you are.
I can't remember how fast the weaning down from prednisone went, but I do remember it was a slow wean down.
Okay, I finally remembered to find the recent blood work done at the end of May.  My ast was 20 & my alt was 11. I take it those were good? There isn't any marks beside them indicating they are high or anything as the glucose & chloride had.
Sara, I remember clearly the days when the children were getting out of school & trying to get them situated with a trustworthy source for watching.  I do miss those days very much. Heck, I even miss my own family days as a child & become quite nostalgic for those days sometimes. Have the g-children today ladies & they are hungry.  Later, Jo

[Tenderheart2]

Thank you the info on the 6mp Kim.  They've never tried me on anything but Prednisone wihich I'm on 7.5 and Imuran every day.  Since the last TIPS shunt I've also been on Laculose to keep the ammonia from effecting my memony, & brain from getting too much ammonia in it.  Urso was also prescribed to help with the itching and Lasix and Spirolactone to help with the swelling.  Forgive me for repeating myself if I do so.  Don't work too hard, and keep your chin up.  When I get better from the procedure I'm having later today, I'll let you know how it went.  With lots of thoughts and prayers!
Tender

[Sarad]

Sorry you haven't heard from me in a while but the last couple of weeks have been crazy end of the school year etc..
Kim about weening down on prednisone when I was on 10 mg it took 1 month to get to 7.5 mg then 2 weeks to 5 mg and then after 1 month I was totally off prednisone.
During this time I was still on 75 mg of Imuran and only 4 month later I went down to 50 mg.
I am feeling good thank god my next blood tests are 13/7/08.
Kim great to see that your numbers are doing good I guess this new medication is really the best for you.
Erin: how are you doing? Are your hand still in pain and swollen?
Jody glad to see that you and your daughter are doing better.
Well take care ladies I really must get back to work.
Sara