HealingWell
Search Close Search
☰

Well thats annoying!!!!

Support Forums
>
Ulcerative Colitis
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply
12
❬ ❬ Previous Thread |Next Thread ❭ ❭
Posted 3/5/2013 2:08 AM (GMT 0)
All is pretty good UC wise but just got blood results back and my Liver count is through the roof. Doc didnt seem to think it was related to my meds for some reason? He's referred me to my GI in a couple of weeks and run some more bloods.

Not sure what he's testing for? normally i would've asked more questions but i was there getting checked out because we're finally pregnant!! (early days & haven't told anyone except you guys because im pissed off about possible implications of this liver count, which was apparently very high....)

Ive been doing a bit of research which is a little silly as i dont have the results in front of me and im a bit concerned about autoimmune hepatitis which can apparently be related to UC??

 

Anyway ill wait a couple of days till they get back to me and put it to the back of my mind.

Just wanted to vent - thanks for "listening"

 

Posted 3/5/2013 2:38 AM (GMT 0)
congratulations! i'm so happy for you!

i did have high liver enzymes from mesalamine enemas and lialda. they got worse once i started 6mp though. i think your doctor is in denial about the side effects from these medications.
Posted 3/5/2013 2:49 AM (GMT 0)
Thanks bananagirl - just hope this one sticks this time round :)

Yeah its not making sense to me - will certainly question more around it. Im tempted to reduce orals and go back onto enemas nightly in the mean time?? ive got good bm's but dont want to muck around with it too much at this stage. have phoned and asked for the readings because i dont know what particular enzyme or what ever was elevated all i know is something was over 300 which they were a little alarmed about
Posted 3/5/2013 3:00 AM (GMT 0)
between 10 and 12 weeks the placenta is starting to take over for the corpus luteum... so sometimes there are weird numbers then for even normal folks.

When you find out what numbers it will help more

Ask if in the meantime you can do some liver tonics like milk thistle/ molybledum and herbal infusions of nettles drank with a rooibois tea (sweeten with stevia)

are you having lotsa nausea or constipation?
Posted 3/5/2013 3:30 AM (GMT 0)
im only about 5 weeks so not much in the way of symptoms related to pregnancy - occasional wave of nausea & a little constipated the other day but hadn't had much fiber.

Will ask about tonics but dont want to upset the tum either - i do have some herbal tea which is apparently good for the liver so might look into that.

thank you!!
Posted 3/5/2013 5:27 AM (GMT 0)
Oh Yay congrats. Try not to worry too much.
Posted 3/5/2013 5:28 AM (GMT 0)
So just spoken to doc and he talked to my GI who is the one that said the elevation wouldn't be due to the Pentasa meds - he felt that i would've showed an increase in levels before now.

I've been on them for a year now and been tested 3x during this time with no abnormalities and ive reduced them - so maybe its not the meds???

both the AST & ALT levels are up - one 5x the other 15x more than the normal levels eeek

Any thoughts??
Posted 3/5/2013 6:44 AM (GMT 0)
So, I guess a couple things.. have you been on steroids recently or have you done a quick taper?
Have you been ill recently.. stomach or other flus...
Posted 3/5/2013 7:02 AM (GMT 0)
Thanks Teddtlove - im trying not to worry but im a bit bummed out at the moment.

Pathongenkiller, no steroids recently nor have i been ill. the doc is testing for some viral thing and some other bits. if this doesn't show anything he said ill go in for a ultra sound.

I have been using medicated shampoo for scalp condition. Could absorbing through skin increase significantly?
Posted 3/5/2013 12:19 PM (GMT 0)
I'd say get re-tested.

I'm a big believer that our bodies fluctuate very often and I take test results with a grain of salt. Many times something that shows up on one test can not be reproduced a few days or weeks later. Your body can react certain days to something and 'cure' itself inexplicably. If you are getting consistent test results, definitely follow up.

And congrats and good luck with pregnancy. :)
Posted 3/5/2013 3:01 PM (GMT 0)
I have no words of wisdom about the lab results but just wanted to say Congratulations on the baby. I hope you have a smooth sailing pregnancy.
Posted 3/5/2013 4:13 PM (GMT 0)
The scalp condition is likely more a symptom of the liver stress then any shampoo absorbing and causing issues.

Its good that your doc is aware and testing for all the right things. In the meantime all you can do is support your liver as much as you feel comfortable.

Pregnancy is very liver intensive and like canadagal said, you may have just caught a transient number that doesnt mean anything. Try not to worry. I know that is easier said then done.
Posted 3/5/2013 6:12 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks sherbear46 & canadagal im going to try and put it to the back of my mind and enjoy the excitment of pregnancy.

I did get retested a week following the initial tests and unfortunatly the test showed an increase in levels which sucks - but not much i can do about it aside from as you say pathongenkiller treat the liver well.......

Im still not convinced its not the meds to be honest. anyway thanks for "listening"
Posted 3/5/2013 7:13 PM (GMT 0)
Hi..congratulations!

What medicated scalp shampoo exactly?

I believe that pregnancy can increase liver enzymes. Auto hep, I don't think is linked with UC, but pregnancy can definitely set it off. I know of two woman who this happened to.

You need to get copies of your liver enzymes results and do tons of research to get to the bottom of what's going on.

I wouldn't try to convince yourself just yet that it's the mesalamine.

q
Posted 3/5/2013 8:50 PM (GMT 0)
One of my midwife mentors believed very strongly in SAMe for situations like this. You may consider discussing that if your numbers dont come down naturally.
Posted 3/6/2013 5:11 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks Quincy - we're trying not to get too excited with it being so early.

Ive been using Sebizole shampoo 2% Ketoconazole and had used it for 2.5 months straight 2-3 x per week. Just found out i should've only used this month on month off.

Also, recently introduced this Nioxin stuff which is full of chemicals. Have stopped using both since im pregnant anyway but did wonder if there was any correlation with the liver issue? Grasping at straws maybe.....

They are running a few more tests and then ill be getting a copy of the results and going in for ultra sound if nothing comes out of it.

Instinctnstinict is saying its probably the autoimmune Hep and your right i am trying to convince myself its the mesalamine but wont go off them. I have reduced the orals to x3 per day which is half what i was doing and gone back to nightly enemas for now. I might go back to x2 twice a day as i wonder if that is too much of a drop??

Are the enemas less intrusive to the liver??
Posted 3/7/2013 7:21 AM (GMT 0)
Check out this line....could be a perfect one for you.

http://malibuc.com/products/cn/2310/Malibu-C-Scalp-Wellness-Shampoo

http://malibuc.com/products/cn/3510/Malibu-C-Scalp-Wellness-Conditioner

Isn't the Pentasa 500mg each?  I think dropping down to 1500 daily is a bit low...especially from 3000mg. 

The enemas, you can see if you can get the 2g dosage.  The other option is the Pentasa enemas that are 1000mg (1g). 

Both the oral/rectal 5ASA are considered topical...not systemic.

Good you're getting copies and continuing your research/questions and working with the GI on searching for the reason for the elevated enzymes. 

q

Posted 3/7/2013 8:10 AM (GMT 0)
Hey Q thanks for that info could be worth trying!

they took more blood today and GI told me to stop all orals and up Enema's.

Booked in for ultrasound next week so hopefully we'll have some answers soon.

As you say the Pentasa is topical so im not sure ill stop all orals just yet - will ponder that for a while.  I think there's some concern because the enzyme count continue's to increasing over days. Which makes me think it could be related to the pregnancy.......?

It could just be in shock due to lack of wine in the blood lol

thanks heaps people

Posted 3/7/2013 11:17 AM (GMT 0)
Yes, enema is the way to go at the moment but watch out as the baby grows, you may have difficulty. How the GI wants to address your condition then?

Get blood tested routinely if possible. Liver enzymes are funny thing. In 2 weeks, my enzymes are at the Mount Everest and then by the lady Liberty, nobody could tell me why that happened.
Posted 3/8/2013 5:34 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Deltaforce,
Im meeting with GI next week so we'll talk about new treatment options then if we need to. Hopefully my enzymes do what yours did.....

thanks :)
Posted 3/16/2013 10:14 PM (GMT 0)
So....
After lots of tests including an ultra sound my GI is pretty sure i have autoimmune hepatitis. Will need to have a liver biopsy to confirm but he's a little concerned about the risk that may pose to my pregnancy. He's going to consult with a colleague and then discuss further with me.

At this stage the plan is to monitor enzymes weekly and if they don't increase too much we may just leave well enough alone for a while. He is concerned about permanent liver damage though & mentioned starting prednisone if things get worse.

Fingers crossed that things settle - i just cant get excited about the baby and feeling a little sorry for myself right now. Ill get over it though
Posted 3/17/2013 4:51 AM (GMT 0)
Hi...I would strongly (and only suggesting) you say NO to the liver biopsy...especially since you're pregnant.

I'm sure there are a lots of other tests to lead the doc in the direction of AH without the biopsy.

Are you itching or having any other issues?

This is just some food for thought....

http://gastroenterology.jwatch.org/cgi/content/full/2011/311/5



q

Posted 3/17/2013 9:25 AM (GMT 0)
Hey Q,
Thanks for responding and putting me onto this site - looks like a good source of info so will be sure to have a good look over. Interesting about the biopsy stuff will talk it through with GI. Im in no hurry as i dont think i have any physical symptoms so things cant be too bad. The itching is a hard one to answer because im one of those itchy people eczema and rashes all my life. I have had very itchy legs at night though so......?

Anyway, ill just take it one day at a time and see how it goes.

cheers
Posted 3/17/2013 7:34 PM (GMT 0)
The itchy skin / eczema can be related to autoimmune, it would be more difficult, and your enzymes would already be elevated if you're flaring with that.

Any lotions in particular that can help you? I've recently been using Eucerin Complete repair. There's also an anti-itch formula (but I haven't used it). Dilute both with water when putting them on...easier spreading and not so sticky.
It's been awesome for me this winter...but does sting if the skin is already broken from scratching.

Are you using any other products that could exacerbate the itching such as bath products, sunscreen, laundry soap, dryer sheets, etc?

q
Posted 4/1/2013 7:29 AM (GMT 0)

Hi ya Quincy,

Ive pretty much explored all the washing detergents etc. have had skin issues since born so think I've covered everything, but i do find there are times when something will make me itch and other days it doesn't.

Im a bit of glutton for punishment, we got two kittens a couple of years ago and the fur can irritate me - not all the time but when im easily irritated. I hated not having a pet for so long because of it.  They were the last of a litter, needed a home and i couldnt resist. then we couldnt seperate them so double the trouble - figure i just handle it.....

I currently use Hydroderm which seems to be ok although im very dry coming into winter, will have a look for the Eucerin to try. Im always keen on trying new things.

Update on Enzymes - last week they were down considerably, 130 & 60 which is huge compared with 550 & 380. Each week they've been going down. i figure its one of two things. 1) the pregnancy settling down my immune system, or, 2) the Pentasa tablets? i haven't gone back on them since the initial liver issue. risky in know, but when the enzymes started dropping i wanted to give it ago. My GI did say he didn't think it was related. Ill talk again with him in a couple of weeks given the continued reduction and may look at going back on soon and see what happens. I certainly don't want to set my UC off and I'm concerned the enemas might get more difficult later in pregnancy.

So all in all im feeling better about things, although i remain realistic that if it is the pregnancy settling everything down i could be in for a rough ride later??

Oh, one thing i have noticed in my BM's are these little black specks like tiny seeds and i haven't eaten anything that could cause this so???

thanks again for suggestions.

✚ New Topic ✚ Reply
12