Watch out, I'm now on steroids

[Sturdee]

Those that have been following my trials and tribulation will know about my abnormal functions tests (http://www.woodworkforums.com/f136/another-health-problem-overcome-146865/index2.html#post1508707) and that the transjugular liver biopsy was unsuccessful.

A few weeks ago I had another liver biopsy and today I saw the specialists at the Austin and found out the result.

It's confirmed that I have autoimmune hepatitus (whereby the body is confused and is attacking my own good cells) and there is some scarring of the liver tissue.

So initially I'm on a strong dose of steroids, next week an ultrasound of my stomach and abdomen and I will have an endoscopy as well.

Again, like my prostate cancer (so far still undetectable) this has only been discovered through blood tests as I have not got any problems that would indicate that there was something wrong, so the motto still is get yourself regularly checked out by your GP.


Peter.

[Scott]

Bummer Peter, absolute bummer. Let me know if I can help.

[_fly_]

We may need to change your name to Hulk.



Keep plodding along Peter

[The Bleeder]

Steriods.....no door will be safe around you now Peter.

Good to hear you haven't changed your outlook. Go getem' 'Stubborn One'.:2tsup:

[Sturdee]

We may need to change your name to Hulk.



Keep plodding along Peter

Done.


Peter - the incredible hulk. :U

[Sturdee]

Spent most of last night searching and reading up on this problem and the treatments.

Whilst it is serious, long term prognosis is good as it's only in an early stage and I'm in the best of hands at the Austin's liver clinic specialists. So I'm sure I'll cope with this and you'll have to put up with me for longer.:2tsup:

Most may not be aware that the Austin is, not only a specialist hospital in cancer treatment, also the main hospital in Victoria for liver transplants. So they know what to do.

My biggest disappointment with my body is that it could not get it's act together and have all parts communicate with each other. My auto immune system should have been attacking my prostate cancer cells all this time rather then good liver cells and I would have been spared all these hassles. Very disappointed about this incorrect targeting, Just not my style being so inaccurate. :roll: :roll: :U


Peter.

[Sturdee]

Bummer Peter, absolute bummer. Let me know if I can help.

Thanks Scott,

I'll let you know when I find out about the endoscopy. I think that's what they call it, so much to take in at the consultation - but they are going to put a camera down my throat and through my stomach into my abdomen to see if there is any partial blockage and if so repair it.

May we can catch up again when that happens.


Peter.

[Foo]

Good luck mate!

So who do you wanna look like?:oo:

AMAZING!! ~Bodybuilders with enormous bodies! ~ToO MucH sTeRoidS...! - YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ynPrppjxYFE)

Foo

[Sturdee]

Well it's been a week on steroids, but I won't become an incredible hulk, as the type I'm on is the same as naturally produced by my body to fight inflammation, so I'm on a carefully checked and monitored super dose.


As all medicines have side effects, this one too, the hospital specialist and pharmacy made sure I knew what they were, both good and bad.

As the steroids started to kick in, I have had a lot more drive and energy during the day, I stay in the workshop longer and am making a good start on a number of planned or stalled projects and jigs. I will have to take some photos and post them soon.

The only bad part is that I have more trouble sleeping during the night, I wake up and my mind becomes so active in working out how to do the details of the jigs I'm building that I can't relax again and get back to sleep. But that may not be so bad in the interim. :D

Had my ultrasound and am placed on the emergency waiting list for level 1 cat for a Gastroscopy.

So with all this released energy it looks like I'll still be around for a while.



Peter.

[chrisb691]

Good onya Peter, I hope all goes well for you.

[Scott]

Great news Peter, let me know when things happen, will make sure I look after you in recovery :)

[Foo]

A positive start!:)

Foo

[Sturdee]

Great news Peter, let me know when things happen, will make sure I look after you in recovery :)

Will do Scott, but according to the letters this could take up to 3 months for this kind of procedure, but when the specialists see the ultrasounds this may happen quicker.

Btw don't forget the workshop visit when you have some free time.


Peter.

[artme]

All the besty with everything Peter! Hope the results are not at the wrong end of the spectrum.:)

[Sturdee]

Well it's now three weeks since I started on the high dosage of steroids to treat my liver problems and it's been a real roller coaster period.

I was clearly warned of the possible side effects, so I knew what could possibly happen to me, but the need to treat my ailment was more important then any side effects, at least in the interim.

Well nearly all the side effects that could happen to me, did, and it hasn't been fun.

Moving from a few days of high energy and full of vigour but with sleepless nights as my mind would not relax until my body zonked out due to lack of sleep and tiredness. Stomach bloating, pain, constipation, losing fluids and losing weight and then feeling fine again. That happened again and again. So my projects have been a bit on the backburner.

But the results of my blood tests have proved that the steroids are working and is kicking in my anti inflammatory system to fight the Auto immune hepatitis. The specialist is happy and for the next two weeks have reduced the dosage to less then half in trying to find an acceptable but continually reduced dosage.


Peter.

[Sturdee]

I previously mentioned that as part of the treatment I would have an G.I.Endoscopy to check that internally there weren't any problems and that I was put on the waiting list as an level 1 urgent patient.

The various scans that I've had so far, including the recent liver ultrasound I had on the morning to my visit to Rob's workshop, must have indicated a more urgent need then I thought for last Thursday I was booked in for the Gastroscopy procedure for yesterday.


The procedure showed that all the internal digestive ducts etc, were okay and no corrective surgery had to be done BUT during the procedure my blood pressure dropped to an alarmingly low level and instead of a few hours in recovery I was there for about six hours whilst test where done until I was considered safe to go home about 9.00pm.


Peter.

[Sturdee]

Whilst they were looking at my stomach during the gastroscopy they found out that I have a stomach ulcer which may also have contributed to my problems.

Although pathology reports are not yet available as to the type and cause, my liver specialist think it will be capable of treatment with a specific course of antibiotics and rather then wait I should start in them immediately rather then wait for the results.

So this treatment has started and hopefully the next few weeks will start to show much improvements.


Peter.