From fatty liver to Jaundice

Honestly, I couldn't tell you if it is doing anything for me. Even if my #'s get better, I have really changed my lifestyle so It would be hard to say what improved my #'s. All of the reading I have done does not show any major side effects, so I see no harm in taking it if there is a possibility of it helping protect my life cells.

LDT, This is very worrisome. Remind me, you are seeing a hepatologist at a major medical center, right? There are so many posts in the last few days I am getting confused..and I don't have Hep C fog...

The GGT is one of those things that can indicate that something is wrong, but isn't really a clear indication of what. There are articles that say it can indicate bone disease or liver disease, can be elevated with some cardiac conditions. It is goofy with bile duct problems, may be elevated with certain cancers. Not very helpful, eh?

You need to talk to the docs, get on the right meds, eat right, no alcohol.

Are you having epsidodes of confusion? Bruising or bleeding.

Let us here about the rest of the labs and your ultra sound.

Get ready for the bumpy ride.

Mama Lama

LSD, You need to add prayer, my friend. Best, Carol

Bilirubin, total 2.4
Bilirubin, conjugated 1.4
ALKALINE PHOSPHATASE 330
ALT 131
AST 242

When my husband was cramping, we tried alot of things, Potassium, pickle juice, vinegar . . any old wives tale we tried it. Then on a 3 -4 day vacation @ the hospital, they gave him Magnesium. No more cramps . . as soon as he was out of the hospital they started again . . we determined that the meds he was taking was stripping the Magnesium, along with dehydrating him and that is where the cramps were coming from.

Post transplant he is still taking a Magnesium supplement 1600mg a day.

My opinion is that the dehydration, from the liver not processing is the reason for the cramps, because he had them long bfore he was on any medication. Even though you may be drinking water/fluids to hydrate, it's not going to the muscle, causing a cramp. Soon, the water he was drinking went straight to the belly/Ascities .

When first diagnosed w/ESLD, my husband drank lemon water, and he actually felt a little better and his MELD score dropped . . it may have been in his head or mine, but it can't hurt!!

Good luck
Debbie

LDT, and this doc is a hepatologist, not a primary care or GI doc? If not, with your numbers you need to be referred to specialized care.

In addition to the fine work you are doing with diet, exercise and alcohol cessation.

Carol

Post Edited By Moderator (hep93) : 8/10/2012 9:15:34 PM (GMT-6)

I've been taking 800 mg a day of magnesium ever since transplant last Oct. They also had me on potassium, but only for a month or two.

Hugs,
Connie

Initial feedback on my ultrasound. Back on Monday for more blood work but at least some positive news about no lesions or obstructions.

D/w GI case. Ultrasound does not show any lesions or obstruction or other etiology. Strongly supsect this is etoh hepatitis. Will take 4-6 weeks to calm down when this inflammed.

They do recommend one additional blood test - smooth muscle antibody to rule out a rare biliary liver condition.


Recommend recheck LFT in next few days or week,will do the additional test as well.

If lft generally stable as they have been and smooth muscle ab test is neg (this will take 3-5 days to get done) then recommend follow lft every 2-3 weeks till they normalize

Star, I hope you're not drinking at all, now.

Bilirubin, total 1.3
Bilirubin, conjugated .9
ALKALINE PHOSPHATASE 294
ALT 149
AST 219

Thank god total Bili is back in normal range, conjigated still high. Odd that Bili is better but ALT went up.

No drinking for me David.

The drinking thing wasn't a big issue for me to start with , I simply stayed away from places that I may be susceptible to drink . After over a year of doing that successfully I went to my little brothers birthday party , The ultimate test of caving in you might say .

Upwards of 40 adults getting blistered . My wife and I couldn't wait to get outta there but we drove the birthday boy and his wife there , Truly a eye opening experience into my past behavior to say the least . The longest evening I ever spent in my life baby sitting a bunch of drunks . On the way back home to my brothers house ( He and his wife passed out ) , I looked at my wife and said " What in the hell did you see in me ? " The smell of liquor was so bad I had to roll the windows down in 30 degree weather .


A. Ziffle