Autoimmune Hepititus
Posted , 4 users are following.
I was diagnosed with AIH 10 years ago. I happy to report I have lived a very normal life since. Fortunately, I was never ill from AIH. The only reason I knew I had the disease was from a blood work done during a yearly Dr. visit that showed my liver emzymes were high at over 350. After a series of tests and finally a liver biopsy that showed damage stage 3 I was put on predinose for several months then azathioprine which I have been on for 10 years. All without any side affects. I go to the liver specialist every 6 months and am thankful my enzymes have stayed normal with this medication.
A couple of years ago I went to a functional Dr. who told me that I could reverse the autoimmune disease simply by reducing inflammation through diet and avoiding all toxins. Has anyone else seen this ? I have cut out gluten, dairy, grains and processed foods in hopes that I could possibly stop the inflammation without the use of medication.
Would love to hear if anyone else has been successful with this?
0 likes, 6 replies
jackie21221 amy_57955
Posted
I too am lIving with AIH for 4 yrs. I am 52. Pretty much same liver enzyme readings as you.
Liver biopsy, liver damage stage 2. Taking Cellcept with no side effects and weaning off budesonide right now. I see liver specialist every 6 months and get bloods done periodically. My bloods are never perfectly normal. They range about 2 times above norm but they are stable I feel very well and life has not changed for me.
I worry about long term effects of autoimmune meds and would love to hear also from others if dietary changes have led to reduction of inflammation with AIH or indeed any other way to get it down. Thanks all
Jackie
amy_57955 jackie21221
Posted
Thanks for replying Jackie. This is my first time on a message board. Glad to see someone wAs listening. Interesting we are on different meds.
Since I was diagnosed over 10 years ago I'm wonderinging if your drugs are newer. My numbers dropped down to the 20's quite rapidly the first year from what I remember and have stayed there ever since. Two years ago I ate very healthy no gluten dairy and juiced a lot the 6 months prior to my appt and my numbers were 17 and 21 which definitely were my lowest ever. That diet is just a little hard to keep up with so I have resisted suggesting to the dr to try to reduce my meds and see if numbers still stay low. About 5 years ago that did a 2nd biopsy because a slightly suspicious area appeared on a scan and I was happy to hear my scarring went from a 3 to a 2. So over time my liver was healing .When I was diagnosed at 45 they said I had probably had this disease since I was in my teens considering the damage. So strange to me I didn't know snd never had one symptom .
jackie21221 amy_57955
Posted
Hi Amy,
I was put on Azathioprine at first but had awful reaction to it - violent headaches and neck stiffness, skin rashes, cough. As soon as I stopped, the side effects stopped too. Fortunately no such issues with cellcept (mycofenolate). Who knows - i could have had it for years too but only for a cholesterol test that i had done 4 yrs ago which inadvertantly checked LFT's, I might never have known I had AIH!
I hope u stay as well for another 2-3 decades. I can only wish the same for myself.
Jackie
amy_57955 jackie21221
Posted
jackie21221 amy_57955
Posted
It's hard to know what they will stabilise at eventually as still weaning off steroid (Budesonide). I only switched to Cellcept in May this year. Last set of bloods 08 Nov were GGT 99, ALT 42, ALP 104. This is good for me!
ihavenonickname amy_57955
Posted
Be wise, if a cure other than transplant was available, we would know about it.
That said, diet play a very important role in how out bodies function. Perhaps a registered dietician can give you constructive guidance.
kind regards