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Diagnosed with AIH after the birth of my son

Posted , 3 users are following.

Guest
Guest

Hi everyone,

I was diagnosed with AIH in Jan 2009 after the birth of my son in Nov 2008.

The hospital had induced me at 38 weeks pregnant because they thought I had Obstetric Cholestasis (itching of hands/feet) which can be dangerous to the unborn baby. After the delivery I felt great and the symptoms went away.

Three weeks later the itching came back even worse and I had loss of appetite and was looking slightly jaundice and this was getting worse by the day. So I went to the doctors and they did a load of blood tests and sent me home. Later that day a nurse and a doctor came to my house and admitted me to the hospital as they were concerned and needed to run further tests at the hospital to figure out what was wrong with me as the blood results were showing that something was seriously wrong with my liver.

After doing more tests over that week and asking me millions of questions about my lifestyle etc. they performed a liver biopsy and started steroid treatment (Prednisolone 30mg and Azathioprine 50mg) as they were 99.9% sure that it was AIH. But I didnt get very many answers to my questions in hospital (this seems to be the same everywhere!)

My biopsy results finally came back in Jan (first seen a doctor in Nov!) and they confirmed it to be AIH Type 1. They then upped my dose of steroids to 60mg because my liver function levels were worsening and have gradually been weaning me off them and are planning on keeping me on the Azathioprine only.

I'm now on 15mg of Prednisolone and 50mg of Azathioprine. I'm just praying that this will stay under control and I can get off the steroids because the side effects are terrible. I have put on 2 stone since taking them and my skin is dreadfull, acne breakouts like you wouldnt believe! I feel depressed most days from everything about I guess but I have my little boy which keeps me going.

xxx

0 likes, 3 replies

3 Replies

  • Guest
    Guest

    Posted

    hi i just thought i would let you know i also was dignosed after the birth of my son i went through all the itching as well. But there is hope, i havent had a flare for about 7 years now and i have been off meds for 12 months now and i feel great. so just hang in there. there is alway hope.

    cheryl

  • SES
    SES

    Posted

    Hi there,

    This is so weird as my liver function test has been sky high for months and all my problems had started after I had my son by c section jan 2006..... My Doctor & Consultant predicts I have A H aswell I see the consultant the end of this month?? Hopefully I will get answers???

    Take care SES x

  • SES
    SES

    Posted

    Hi there,

    I am hopefully gonna get answers today, as I am seeing the Liver Specialist today..... as first I saw a Rhuemotolagist due to aching joints, the Rhuematologist and GP both predict this Auto-immune Hepatitis and/or PBC..... which I am obviously worried about as all this is new to me :roll: as I hadnt heard of these until my doctor mentioned the above early in the year....... but when the rhuemo is speculating PBC to that is daunting too...... The biopsy is scaring me too. Anyway thanks for listening x.

    kind regards

    SES x

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