Right Side Pain

October 25, 2002

Hi,

I'm not sure what is going on with me , but on Memorial day I had

my Gallbladder taken out because of extreme pain. When they did this

they noticed that my Liver and Spleen were enlarged. The doctor's

were going to do a Liver Biopsy but never did, instead they took my

Gallbladder out. I have been so extremely tired that even when I wake

up in the morning ,I'm still tierd. My veins on my legs seem more

visible and larger. All these things are very odd to me. I also get

extremely dizzy and sick to my stomach. The pain on my right side is

so bad that sometimes I can't sleep at night. I have even thrown up

bile. The last thing is that my hands and legs hurt very badly and

tingle. Has anyone else had this kind of pain? Please advise me?

Thanks,

October 25, 2002

I also had to have an emergency gall bladder removal, and my Autoimmune Hepatitis was discovered when my bloodwork was done for the surgery (my liver function tests were very high). I had most of the symptoms that you have discribed, along with jaundice and dark colored urine. I had seen my urologist about the urine problem and he had referred me to a nephrologist, but the gallbladder attack and the subsequent discovery of my liver disease occurred before I was able to keep the appointment. I did not realize that I was jaundiced, but the change in the color of my urine was very apparent to me. This continued even after my gallbladder was removed because of the liver disease. I saw a liver specialist at Ochner's Clinic in New Orleans in September and he started me on Prednisone and Immuran. My liver function tests went down to within normal range almost immediately and are still there. I am tapering off the Prednisone now and hoping for the best. I hope this has been helpful.

Best wishes,

Layne

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