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Acupuncture for AIH?

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Posted 3/2/2015 12:17 AM (GMT 0)
Hello everyone,

I was just diagnosed w/ AIH a few weeks ago (I also have Graves disease.)

My doctor said my ALT and AST values were too high (around 160) -- tho I see from what some of you report that many people have MUCH higher values.

He put me on UCERIS, saying that this was easier to take than prednisone. That sounded fine, since I am very senstive to meds. But after 4 days I had to stop. I felt like I was going crazy, I couldn't do simple tasks, I couldn't sleep, and I spent the last day on this med vomiting all day. My stomach was so bad that I went to my gastroent. who was worried about what was going on and did an endoscopy -- still waiting for results.

And I was on a very low dose, only 3 mg.

So - my question. I have an acupuncturist who has done wonders for my lower back problems -- better than I could imagine. He says he can give me herbs as well as acupuncture to fix my liver.

Has anyone tried acupuncture for AIH. I really do not want to go on those horrible meds again tho I am cautious about taking Chinese herbs.

Thanks, everyone, for your help.

Sybil
Posted 3/2/2015 2:54 AM (GMT 0)
S,

I have experience with acupuncture as recently as a month ago. I committed to going once a week for 5 months. For me, it helped with the nausea, to calm my anxiety, and made a serious dent in that bone-chilling cold that many of us experience with liver disease. I did not and was instructed NOT to take any Chinese herbs by my hepatologist. Please check with yours before you consider starting either.

Eyes
Posted 3/2/2015 8:48 AM (GMT 0)
I tried acupuncture for AIH - didn't do a thing for me.

I would never ever go near herbs to be honest.

Some people get liver damage with only mildly raised ALTs - doesn't seem to be any link in AIH between how high readings go and chronic damage being done. Everyone is individual.

Ann
Posted 3/2/2015 5:25 PM (GMT 0)
I have acupuncture every 3 weeks. It is not specifically for my AIH, rather to aid my liver, spleen and other organs in doing their job....to flush toxins out of the body. I would never believe acupuncture could "fix" my liver and absolutely would not take an herbs that claimed it could. Following a treatment I have a bit more energy for a few days, and that's enough for me to make it worthwhile.
Posted 3/2/2015 11:23 PM (GMT 0)
I tried acupuncture when I first got sick, and felt no effects. Perhaps I should give it a shot (ha ha) again and see if I might feel a little less nauseous and fatigued.

Any thoughts on how to find a "good" acupuncturist...and what would be the criteria to decide such a thing
Posted 3/3/2015 2:15 AM (GMT 0)
I'd stay away from the herbs, unless your hepatologist says they're all right.

I see a chiropractor once a week and it really helps me, as my work is hard on my back and other bones. Anything that makes you feel better is fine as it's one less thing to worry about, when you have hepatitis.
Posted 3/3/2015 4:02 PM (GMT 0)
I think I totally lucked out finding my "poke, poke" girl. I've seen a couple other acupuncturists but they were not very good at all. One was a Chiropractor and the other a RMT that decided to take a course in acupuncture to expand their clientele. The girl I see now has invested a lot into her education; 12+ years just in acupuncture and traditional Chinese medicine. Like anything else, to find a good one, you need to ask about their education, experience and talk to clients if possible.
Posted 3/3/2015 5:55 PM (GMT 0)
I am partner to a Hep C, HCC, and ALD survivor who is almost 4 years post transplant.

He does not have AIH, but his center is very strict about western and eastern meds...he is not to take ANYTHING that his docs don't preview for their interactions with his conditions and other meds. He does take some over the counter stuff, but at their direction....Fish Oil, vitamins, and lots of Magnesium and Calcium plus Fosamax for his osteoporosis.

I think a holistic approach is just the way to go, but make sure your center/hep consultant is aboard in the specific things you do.

First rule...do no harm.

Best,
Mama Lama
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