Hey, I’m Holey!
No matter how you look at it, hearing the word “stat” in a doctor’s office — when the doctor is referring to you — is a stressful experience. In my case, having shown up at the doctor’s office ASAP at their request, the “stat” part involved getting yet more blood drawn. Frankly, my arm is starting to look like a junkie’s.
At least I got more info this time. On Friday’s liver function tests, both my ALT and AST were above 2000 but the sed tests were normal. That definitely indicates liver problems (although most likely not due to an auto immune disorder) which today’s ultrasound confirmed. Although my gall bladder looks fine, my liver is indeed inflamed although there are no signs of cirrhosis or that I have an abnormally fatty liver. (One can hope this means I’ll be able to enjoy a martini again at some point in the future.) That pain? Yep, it’s due to my liver being a bit too big for my britches. After learning that, well, let’s just say I’ll never again eat turkey gravy with giblets.
Once again I was presented with the option of hospital admission or staying home. I opted for the latter — the last time I stayed in a hospital it was so difficult for me to fall asleep that by the time I was discharged I was absolutely exhausted. I figure, if I’m going to be tired and uncomfortable, well, I might as well do it in my own bed with my nice flannel sheets and my kitty, Pippin, to keep me company.
That’s when the doctor said he wanted to take new blood tests – STAT – to see what my liver enzymes are up to. If they’re at the same levels or even higher, well, they’re going to admit me, period, because the next step is jaundice, liver failure and a whole lot of other things I can’t fix at home. On the other hand, if the enzyme levels are down now that I’m off Cymbalta, I’ll be staying at home tonight but seeing a GI specialist — again, STAT — for further testing.
I’m not sure that I know any more now than I did, say, three hours ago but at least I feel like some kind of progress is being made. Now it’s just a matter of waiting for the phone to ring.
UPDATE 4:47 p.m. – Just heard from the doctor concerning my test results, and it’s GOOD NEWS! My AST is down from over 2000 to 220 and my ALT is down from over 2000 to 760. Both are still higher than normal, but put me out of the range of liver failure. His current diagnosis is acute viral hepatitis. This week, in addition to getting two more liver function tests to monitor my enzyme levels, I’ll also be seeing a GI. But for now it appears I’m “out of the woods” as far as impending liver failure. There’s just one catch (well, two, really): no martinis until my enzyme levels are normal and, since we don’t want to tax my liver at all right now, I can’t take any meds to relieve the epigastric pain caused by the liver inflammation. That’s ok – I’m exhausted enough that I’ll probably just sleep right through it.
Progress!! Excellent. You seem to be saying that the trouble could have been caused by the Cymbalta … I’ll hope it’s that easy.
That’s what I’m thinking, but my doctor doesn’t seem to agree. Then again, I wonder if he’d ever admit to having prescribed a medication that put me that at risk of liver failure without having performed regular blood tests.
Twit. Potentially dangerous twit.
That’s great news that the numbers are falling! Ask him if acute viral hepatitis lasts more than a month and keeps recurring.
Also ask him if it’s caused by depression! Twit.
Ok, so either I’m as good as a doctor, or your doctor’s only as good as a former molecular biologist at diagnosis.
I hope you get better. And soon!
From VK: Does this mean you’ll soon be playing a doctor on TV?
At least now you have some idea as to what’s going on. I wish you a speedy recovery.
If it’s Hep A – it can be caused by eating “bad” shellfish or by eating food prepped by someone carrying it who didn’t handle the food properly. I mentioned your situation to my sister who said “Why didn’t you say something sooner? I had that exact same thing and had Hepititus A. I could have told you.” Ugh. Big sisters.
Get some rest and take care of yourself!
From VK: Hm. Given my fondness for sushi, that’s a definite possibility.
There’s a simple antibody test for all the hepatites (a little more complicated for B). Good luck. I hope what PJ said is all it is. That way I will be able to tease you that when you drink in public you must specify “in a clean glass”.
From VK: In a clean glass? Well, there goes my tough gal image. ;P
That’s definitely positive news thus far, VK. When you can have a martini again, do let me know, and I’ll have my very first one with you.
From VK: Ah… another one to bring over to the dark side. Yesssss, Preciousss…. We’ll haves us some martinis, oh yessss we willlllll!
That just sounds miserable. Still, of all the things that this could have been, this is not so bad. Count your blessings as you get yourself better. Best wishes to you and yours.
From VK: You’re right — I could’ve woken up and found that my nose had fallen off in my sleep last night. Oh, wait. That was a dream. I’m telling you, these Cymbalta withdrawals produce some freaky nocturnal transmissions.
Re the epigastric pain: Camomille tea. If you don’t have any in the house … well that’s what husbands are for. Send him to the Whole Foods or GNC for some.
From VK: I’m allergic to chamomile. But peppermint tea has been helpful!
I don’t understand. Why if they were 2k+ were they all of a sudden down 80+ percent? Is that the med adjustment?
From VK: Well, that’s what we’re trying to figure out.
nice
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Wonderful!! Now, did they pull a Hep panel today as well as more chemistries? Good that your ESR is normal, but I’d like to see some amylase and lipase numbers, too, just to make sure your pancreas isn’t being affected as well. But then I just draw the stuff, not order it. Hope you’re feeling much better soon.
Glad to hear there is finally some sort of light at the end of the tunnel for you, especially after your long and seemingly agonizing condition. Get Well soon.
Kate, I think I’ve got this figured out.
You’re too nice.
No, seriously, think about it. When did all of your problems start? When you became less venomous, started another more friendly blog, and generally started being less snarky (snarkified?). Then again, how’s one supposed to be snarky when taking an antidepressant?
Yep. That’s your problem all right. I prescribe 10mg of venomous diatribe daily until the problem either goes away or you reduce someone to tears. Either way you’ll feel better.
well I’m not feeling nice now. i’m in Cushing Hospital, rm 206B (but can’t have visitors) awaiting CT, MRI, endoscopy, blood tests & more. ugh.
(mo-blogged from my Treo)
Yeah, those SSRIs build up a new equilibrium in your head. I think that Michele said transitioning back to a natural equilibrium can take a couple of weeks.
Whatever you do, don’t dream about Tron, that would be too weird.
Though high, it is good to hear your numbers are coming down. Hope they get this knocked out quickly. I know how you like your martini’s. I’ll knock one back for you for good luck.
You have to get well fast because we need to go out for martinis together!!!
I’m in Columbia, Missouri, but if you need anything, I think you have my cell number.