Liver Biopsy

[katherine2009]

In July I was given Levaquin 750 mg, the following day I was in so much pain.  I have HVC and MS.  I also had my neighbor look at my blood work done prior to this "follow up" visit this doc.  If he had read the test he would have known there was no respiratory trouble.

First it appeared that this drug hit my throat, sore lymph nodes, my legs were so weak, and then a very sharp pain hit my right side under the breast plate.

I had my gallbladder removed, but this nasty drug had attacked my liver too.

I am looking for someone who can give me  heads up on this biopsy report.  I am trying to get into the San Antonio Texas medical group for liver transplants and problems.  I would like to have some knowledge or at least an idea before i go.

"The liver shows approximately 4 portal tracts present to evaluate, The portal interface hepatitis is moderate and continous around most of the portal tracts (3/4).  The confluent necrosis is focal in some areas, (highlited on the reticulin stain) (2/6).  The focal lytic necrosis/apoptosis and inflammation is one focus or lesss per 10x objectives (1x4)

Portal inflammation is moderate around most of the portal areas (2/4).  No distinct lymphoid follicllies are identified
There is focal bile duct inflammation  The PAS stain highlights the glycogen content and dgree of steatosis which is variable ranging from 5% to approx. 20%.  No abdormal inclusions are seen on the PAS-D stain.  The trichrome stain highlights the portalal- to portal and portal to central fibrosis.  However, the entire tissue represents subcapsular tissue which can over estimate the degree of fibrosis.  The iron stain is folcal and minimal in a few kupffer cells and hepatocytes.

1.  Liver wedge biopsy

Chronic hepatitis with fibrosis consistent with Hep C
Modified Ishak HAI grade; 3, 2, 1, 2, =8/18 and stage 4/6.
Mild steatosis (5 to 20%)
Iron stain is 0-1 +/4

I also have MS and am constantly juggling what disease to treat first.  I have survived Hep C for 20 years, When I found out I had this I stopped all activities, drinking.  I have taken 2 treatments, the first interferon helped both the MS and the HEP C, but the Ribfiravin, and PEG, did not respond and I was very sick on these drugs.  The doc I was seeing at the time said that if I was not responding to the drugs that his choice was not to treat.  

Prior to all of this I was improving with my MS and I felt my enzymes were under control, they were never over 100.  I appreciate anyone's response to this, I am alone and I am lost.

[katherine2009]

Thank you for the reply.  This doctor would never speak to me after the side effects started.  He had taken a CT Scan of my chest, my gallbladder was enlarged and he had the audacity to have his secretary call me and say all was well.  I had gone to the hospital and picked up the scanned.  My gallbladder was enlarged and the pain was beyond belief.  The pain of the gallbladder started immediately after I took the test but was not diligent enough to know what was happening, the drug hit me so hard and I was pretty much out of it with pain.

He lied about the gallbladder test, or should I say his office manager did, then when it obvious I had a copy of the test she backed up saying she only told me what he wrote down.  He knew what he had done and did not have the guts to help me.  His office manager said I needed to find a new doctor who handled the gallbladder and such.  

I have managed my health for 20 years with Hep C and the last 10 years knowing I had MS.  I was improving and in one day this doctor has destroyed all progress with these drugs.  And to know that I did not have an infection according to the bloodwork was even worse.

I am waiting to see a specialist for my liver and I pray that I can stop the damage but I do pray that this doctor be told he can no longer practice, there is no tellint what he has done to innocent people.  I believe when we take our health to a specialist, we are taking our health to a higher level and this man should have been aware of the problem.  

I hope everyone knows about Levaquin.  It is something everyone should look for.  As far as this doctor, on our very first visit it was made very clear to him that we had to always consider my liver when treating.  He knew how seriouss I was but he didn't care.  

[Rockerforlife]

Looks like a lawsuit,i cant believe doctors doing this.And people say taking a food supplement is dangerous...im sorry this happen to you .Just dont take anything a doctor prescribes without geting second and third opinions .im at a lost for words.

[katherine2009]

http://docs.google.com/gview?a=v&q=cache:Ezc8EwBHK2AJ:www.fda.gov/downloads/Drugs/DrugSafety/ucm088619.pdf+fda+report+on+levaquin&hl=en&gl=us&pid=bl&srcid=ADGEESjn1wd7sdU2yGUrOYK68ls6Z3qL2_DlDg3gG6c4XmB_gOcEeVWptSQOT5RMv5QTcxbshelfusi-m3dKqK_irqO4yHLFMEhI1y4s0AZkSBQX9tnZT-YHiggljO-mhS4VIduzU5SZ&sig=AFQjCNHTwH7GMweB8Mso_5JRTa8qAB9fmw

This is the FDA report

[katherine2009]

I was given the drug for a respiratory infection.  I had blood work done prior to this visit, did not know I was sick, and the specialist gave me this drug.  I found out later that I never had an infection.  After the levaquin I was immediately in pain, the gallbladder has been removed, there is significant damage to my liver.

Levaquin FDA report is very clear, people with MS and Hep C are not to be given this drug.  I trusted this doctor.  All of the gains I have made are gone.  

[Rockerforlife]

Why were you given Levaquin  for pain,isnt his a antibiothic?


Caution should be exercised in prescribing to patients with liver disease.[45]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Levofloxacin

[newleaf09]

I have read that interferon is a beneficial TX for MS, also. Your biopsy language is a little different from what I am used to, but I might interpret it from the descriptive paragraphs to mean stage 3 on inflammation and stage 2 on fibrosis (scarring).  Not good, but could be a whole lot worse.  Mild steatosis (fat layer on liver).  You aren't transplant material.  Are you watching the news about the addition of protease inhibitors to TX?  They are rumored to hit the market in 2011 and might work out well for you.