RE: [SPAM] Liver disease

[Guest guest]

Liver problems are a fairly common side

effect of either Methotrexate or Arava, and even more likely if you take both

of them. “Elevated” can mean many things to different

people. Some people say they are elevated when they are in the high end

of the “normal” range or they could be several times the high end

of the “normal” range. With your LFT being elevated at all I’m

surprised you were put on Arava without also stopping Methotrexate. Also

you are on 5 RA drugs and I’m surprised you are on that many. I

think you also need to see a different rheumatologist because your treatment

seems unusual. I’m not medically trained but I do participate in a

few message boards so I know a lot of what people who have RA say about

treatments. I hope you get things straightened out soon. God bless.

From: Rheumatoid Arthritis [mailto:Rheumatoid Arthritis ] On Behalf Of dm0894

Sent: Monday, February 05, 2007

9:40 AM

Rheumatoid Arthritis

Subject: [sPAM]

Liver disease

Hi everyone,

I don't post very often, but I read this digest every day. I was

diagnoised with RA in March 2004. I have been on methatrexate (2

yrs.), plaquneil (8 mths.),arava (3 mths), humaria (4 mths) and now

Orencia (5 mths. for now).

My liver enzymes started being elevated in Feb. 2005, they have

remained elevated. My GP sent me to a gastroenterologist about 8

mths ago, he just watched to see if they went higher. They haven't

but they don't come down either. In Jan. 2006 the GI dr. did a

complete liver panel lab work up. The lab work indicated auto

immune hepitis. He then ordered a liver biospy (painful). This

biospy showed inflamation and scarring of the liver. I do not and

have never drunk acohol of any kind (#1 cause of liver scarring).

Now he isn't sure what it could be, auto immune hepitis of NASH. On

a scale of 1 to 4 my inflamation and scarring were rated a 4 for

both. He is now referring me to a Liver specialist at Duke

University Hosp. here in NC. Has anyone else had any liver problems?

Needless to say I am very bummed right now. I homeschool my 9 year

old special needs child and I don't need this to deal with now.

Thanks for all your input and support.

[Guest guest]

If you go into google you will see that scarring of the liver via MTX and Arava are very common. Arava is a known suspect and should be removed from your regimine straight away. Do find another RD. This one seems bent on forcing a liver transplant. Hugs, Deborah

On 2/17/07, Harold Van Tuyl <hvantuyl@...> wrote:

Liver problems are a fairly common side effect of either Methotrexate or Arava, and even more likely if you take both of them. "Elevated" can mean many things to different people. Some people say they are elevated when they are in the high end of the "normal" range or they could be several times the high end of the "normal" range. With your LFT being elevated at all I'm surprised you were put on Arava without also stopping Methotrexate. Also you are on 5 RA drugs and I'm surprised you are on that many. I think you also need to see a different rheumatologist because your treatment seems unusual. I'm not medically trained but I do participate in a few message boards so I know a lot of what people who have RA say about treatments. I hope you get things straightened out soon. God bless.

From:

Rheumatoid Arthritis [mailto:Rheumatoid Arthritis ] On Behalf Of dm0894

Sent: Monday, February 05, 2007 9:40 AMRheumatoid Arthritis

Subject: [sPAM] Liver disease

Hi everyone,I don't post very often, but I read this digest every day. I was diagnoised with RA in March 2004. I have been on methatrexate (2 yrs.), plaquneil (8 mths.),arava (3 mths), humaria (4 mths) and now Orencia (5 mths. for now).My liver enzymes started being elevated in Feb. 2005, they have remained elevated. My GP sent me to a gastroenterologist about 8 mths ago, he just watched to see if they went higher. They haven't but they don't come down either. In Jan. 2006 the GI dr. did a complete liver panel lab work up. The lab work indicated auto immune hepitis. He then ordered a liver biospy (painful). This biospy showed inflamation and scarring of the liver. I do not and have never drunk acohol of any kind (#1 cause of liver scarring). Now he isn't sure what it could be, auto immune hepitis of NASH. On a scale of 1 to 4 my inflamation and scarring were rated a 4 for both. He is now referring me to a Liver specialist at Duke University Hosp. here in NC. Has anyone else had any liver problems?Needless to say I am very bummed right now. I homeschool my 9 year old special needs child and I don't need this to deal with now.

Thanks for all your input and support.