Diagnosed in 1991, but still in denial

December 2, 2008

In 1991, I itched for two weeks before consulting a doctor. In four

more weeks, several blood tests later, and with the help of the Mayo

Clinic, they decided I had sclerosing cholangitis. They never called

it " primary. " I took Questran for the itching and Actigall. I was

on the Actigall for 8 1/2 years with great success, except for the

arthritis pain. In 1999, I put myself on an all-natural diet (it was

my version of the anti-candida diet) and, six weeks later, I stopped

taking antihistamines and the Actigall with no further problems until

about a year ago. For about a year, my liver enzymes have started

going up. My doctors have been watching it and wanted me to go back

on Actigall. I've been resisting. This summer, I woke up one

morning with bone-rattling chills and fever with no appetite and that

went on for six weeks, on and off, and was never diagnosed. My PCP

referred me to a gastroenterologist and, since my fevers stopped on

their own, I decided to get that colonoscopy they've been wanting me

to get for a few years. Those results were upsetting: mild colitis,

diverticulosis, and mild gastritis. They said Crohn's could not be

ruled out. More recently, I started itching after everything I ate

and finally went to see an allergist. After over 150 scratch skin

tests, I found out I'm allergic to many foods and everything on the

list of inhalable allergens. I'm getting the allergy shots and, most

recently, just went back on the Actigall following my latest elevated

liver function test. What bothers me is that the liver biopsy in

1991 was " nondiagnostic " and the Mayo Clinic stated that " it could be

sclerosing cholangitis or a drug reaction. " The other option was

never pursued. I still wonder if I have it or not. Is it possible

for me to have this disease and not take any medication for 8 1/2

years and then for it just to show up again? A doctor told me that

it does not just go away. Can liver enzymes get elevated from bad

allergies? Or are the allergies caused by liver problems? This is

long, I know, but I need to talk to someone who might know. I don't

want to be labeled with a disease that I don't have, either! So,

what do you think? Sincerely,

Recommended Posts