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Thread: Update: Saw the doc this morning!

  1. #11
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    Note: The article mrtmeo linked was for fibromyalgia patients with a vitamin D deficiency. Vitamin D is one of the few vitamins you can actually overdose on. If you take vitamin D supplements then you should have your vitamin D levels checked with regular blood work.

  2. #12
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    I just got most of the bloodwork back and my ALT enzyme is through the roof. Has anyone had their Wegener's turn its attention on the liver? I am sure this is a fluke test and if I do it again it will be normal but it is worrisome to me, given that two weeks ago it was OK. I don't think it could go that bad that quickly right?
    I was in a lot of pain last night. Shoulder, elbows, wrists, ankles, and knees were in agony and I have no idea why. It felt like I had been on a HUGE hike when really I went to the doctor, rested and then came to work where I sit. Not sure what to attribute that to.

    Isn't this disease grand?
    Officially Diagnosed 07/31/2013

    My blog: http://nikkinicolealison.com

    "It's no use going back to yesterday because I was a different person then" - Alice in Wonderland

  3. #13
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    Hi Nikki,
    I don't want to scare you and this just an observation from a friend with RA.
    I have a friend that has RA that was treated, I believe with mtx.
    She had her liver shut down and another time had a rupture in her GI, can't remember where.

    I wonder if you are having a bad reaction to mtx?
    Look up the side effects of mtx and high liver enzymes.
    Did your billirubin rise and/or alkaline phosphatase too?

  4. #14
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    Many of the meds we take can impact our liver and/or kidney so routine monthly labs to monitor the functioning of these vital organs is important. Some times it is necessary to adjust or change the meds to protect these organs. Any abnormal test result though should be re-check for your safety as problems can develop suddenly.

    Quote Originally Posted by NikkiNicole View Post
    I just got most of the bloodwork back and my ALT enzyme is through the roof. Has anyone had their Wegener's turn its attention on the liver? I am sure this is a fluke test and if I do it again it will be normal but it is worrisome to me, given that two weeks ago it was OK. I don't think it could go that bad that quickly right?
    I was in a lot of pain last night. Shoulder, elbows, wrists, ankles, and knees were in agony and I have no idea why. It felt like I had been on a HUGE hike when really I went to the doctor, rested and then came to work where I sit. Not sure what to attribute that to.

    Isn't this disease grand?
    Knowledge is power! Wisdom is using it to make good decisions!

  5. #15
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    My liver enzymes all shot up unexpectedly a few months ago. The next time they were checked they had started going down, and at my last labs about a month ago, one was normal, and the other two just slightly above. Sorry I can't remember which ones but can look them up. About the same time they went up I also started having episodes of nausea, vomiting and sometimes diarrhea. My rheumatologist thinks it's because I got gastroenteritis (stomach flu), as an infection can increase liver enzymes and at the time was on Cytoxan so was very immunosuppressed. I'm still having episodes of vomiting every two to three weeks so am going to ask him about that on my next appointment. I did research gastroenteritis among people who are immunosuppressed, and yes it can last weeks to months or even years. Hopefully it will improve, but whatever the cause am glad they went down as yes, it is worrisome.

    Good luck with the Imuran. I started on a dose of 50 mg about a month ago, then increased to 100 mg 2x per day about a week ago. I felt great on the 50 mg, noticed more tiredness, some slight nausea, and broke out in canker and cold sores with the 100 mg. Seems to be improving though, and I've read that a lot of new medications/dosages take a couple weeks for your body to adjust.
    We must let go of the life we have planned so as to accept the one that is waiting for us.
    Joseph Campbell

    When sleeping women wake, mountains move.
    Chinese proverb

  6. #16
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    Nikki, have you started taking anything different in the last two weeks.

    My bloods went through the roof for my liver over a four week period (ie. 4 weekly blood tests)
    My specialist narrowed it down to me taking a multi vitamin. I stopped the multi vitamin and the next blood test everything was back to normal.

    It could have been a number of ingredients or just one within the vitamin tablet that caused it. My specialist said that they had only seen this once before.
    Reading up on this further, I believe it could have been the magnesium within the vitamin tablet.

    It's just a thought, in case you have started something different since your last blood test.
    Keep Smiling
    Michelle


    Live your life in a way that you wouldn't be ashamed to sell the family parrot to the town gossip - WILL ROGERS

  7. #17
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    Nothing has changed. I haven't even been taking any ibuprofen or anything for several months. Literally the only thing I take is my MTX and my thyroid meds and those have always gone together. I am sure it's a fluke. If not, I would think sjhe would have called/emailed by now. I did send her a message offering to do it again.
    Officially Diagnosed 07/31/2013

    My blog: http://nikkinicolealison.com

    "It's no use going back to yesterday because I was a different person then" - Alice in Wonderland

  8. #18
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    Increases/fluctuations in liver enzymes are consistent with MTX use, so that could be it. I treat with weekly MTX injections and fortunately I tolerate it pretty well. My liver enzymes did rise steadily, and eventually my doctor prescribed leucovorin to be taken the day after MTX. This has brought my levels down to normal or near normal. At their highest they were about twice normal values. Anyway, hopefully this won't be an issue for you anymore since you won't be on MTX anymore? I guess this is another example of one of the fun features of this disease; the treatment can cause as many problems as the illness!

    (btw I had my vitamin D level checked not long ago and it was high, which was a surprise since I live in Alaska and it is a long, dark winter. I had been taking a supplement per doc's instructions. My B12 was low... so now I'm supposed to discontinue the D and instead take B12. Sometimes I think I need a spreadsheet to keep track of all this.)

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    I heard back from the doctor, she wants me to retest in a few weeks. If it goes back down then we know it was the MTX that was the culprit. If it doesn't go down then we will see what the problem is. I am to continue to abstain from alcohol ... which I am anyway with The Whole 30 plan so it doesn't matter. Not to mention if my liver isn't happy I don't want alcohol!!!
    I am sure it will return to normal in a few weeks. My blood work is always pretty except my ANCA and CRP. Why would now be any different?
    Officially Diagnosed 07/31/2013

    My blog: http://nikkinicolealison.com

    "It's no use going back to yesterday because I was a different person then" - Alice in Wonderland

  10. #20
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    I don't know if mtx has an accumulated effect or not, but that could be something to ask the dr.

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