I want to Thank everyone for there continued prayers and support! Tomorow 12-06-07 I get results of my liver biopsy. I am afraid to find out the results, but I have to be strong and know that God will take care of me!

God, I pray tonight that you may give me and my wife the strength and support to deal with these issues in our life. I feel that I have failed you for many years, and I asking for forgiveness of my sins. Please send a miraculous healing over me. In Jesus Christ name, AMEN!

I have gotten the liver biopsy results back yesterday from my gastroenterologist. I have not talked to him about it yet, but I can see from what it says, what most of it means. The report says:
A. Moderate steatosis of the liver
B. Mild chronic inflammation within portal tracts without piecemeal necrosis (Scheurer Grade 1).
C. Slight portal fibrosis with no bridging fibrosis (Scheurer stage 1)
D. Trace amounts of stainable iron are seen.
E. No evidence of granulomalous inflammation.

Steatosis is fatty liver to a greater extent then just plain fatty liver. Here is a article I found on a medical website which explains it better:
1. Isn't fatty liver caused by alcoholism? What is nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD)? Is it the same as nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH)?

The liver plays a pivotal role in fat metabolism, so it is not surprising that fat deposition (steatosis) may develop under certain conditions. Alcoholism is one possible cause, but fat deposition may also develop from a reaction to medication or from a viral infection. Hepatocellular necrosis and bile stasis may also occur.

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, therefore, is simply fat deposition in the liver that is not caused by chronic ingestion of alcohol. The terms NAFLD and NASH are often used interchangeably. However, NASH properly refers to that subset of patients with NAFLD who have evidence of inflammation on liver biopsy. The spectrum of NAFLD is similar to that of alcoholic liver disease. At one extreme is fatty liver occurring without inflammation; at the other is cirrhosis. Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis is an intermediate disease state between these two extremes.

I dont know why my liver has traces of iron. That I still have not found out why.

What is concerning me is the mental changes I have been having.. Which the DR. I have been to thinks its not related to my liver, but I have found out that when the liver may not function right, that it can cause a condition known as Hepatic Ensepholopathy. I dont know if I have this, I feel I do....

You start feeling your going crazy when you tell a dr how you feel, they dont listen to you, or say "its just depression". At this point I am trying to find other Doctors.

I pray that my fatty liver will be reversed to a normal liver again. God please lead me to received your healing and blessings. If there is something in my life preventing me from receiving your healing, please help me to reconize it. I admit my faults to you, and ask for forgiveness of my sins. In Jesus Christ name, Amen!

Im extremly

Hello everyone. This is a messaged I posted in a liver support groupd. I thought I would copy and paste it here, because it is very detailed on what has been happening to me over the past month. It is very lengthy, and I apologize for this. Well here it goes:

Hello everyone. I am new to this group, but have some knowledge about NASH, and I am having some symptoms, but first I would like to explain my liver history. I am a 29 year old male from Ky who has a history of elevated ALT enzymes for 3 years and a gall bladder removal in 2001 due to gall stone blockage. The ALT for the past 3 years has been 100 to about 150 range in that 3 year period, with alot of fluctuations during that time. So during these years through 2004 to 2007 I have been told that I had 'fatty liver' by various doctors. They made that diagnosis based on the elevated ALT enzymes. All dr's I have been to, just made me feel that it was 'more common to have fatty liver', and that it could eventually turn into cirrhosis, maybe 20+ years from now. So being told that it may take 20 years for cirrhosis to develop I didn't worry that much about it as I have should. So through 2004 and most of 2007 to about August of that year, I had decided to get a ultrasound done on my liver, because I was getting concerned, specially since through 2007 I have gained weight rapidly from April to Oct 2007, about 30 pounds during this time. The weight gain though was due to me over eating from stress because of what was going on in my life through this period of time. So in August 2007 the ultrasound showed:
'Mild fatty infiltration of the liver with coarse texture.'

I thought at this time that I am going to really have to do something about this 'fatty liver' that I was told that I have. Then I left 2 months ago by , and then I am at October 2007, and recent blood tests show my ALT at 157, which was a new all time high, but only roughly 7 to 10 points higher then before, but now the AST was high as well, but nothing that was concerning to me since it was in the 50 range. Then also in October, I noticed I had some problems with both my arms going numb when I was sleeping at night, they would just go numb whenever I layed down. This was scaring me because I thought maybe it was my heart not pumping blood efficiently or possibly from pinched nerves, and also I was thinking possibly that it could be diabetic related (even though I have not been diagnosed with diabetes). This night I noticed my arms being numb I had tested my blood sugar and it was 240, so that was a clear picture to me that I have and have had diabetes, and I do not know for how long, but it couldn't have been longer then a year or 2. After I seen how high my blood sugar was I decided the next day to start a 1500 calorie a day diet. I was happy to start this diet, as in addition to this diet, I have finally stopped drinking soda and coffee as well. I thought this was going to be great, and I thought that it was going to help reduce my liver enzymes, and make my liver normal again. In the past I have struggled with weight loss/gain over the years. I have weighed 315 pounds in the past and have lost all that weight until I weighed 168 pounds. That was back in year 2000. Since the year 2002 though I have started gaining weight slowly back, because of poor eating habits.

Well back to the 1500 calorie diet.. On this diet I have made extra effort to consume alot of high nutritious foods, mostly fruits and vegetables, with some meat here and there. Now at the time I started this 1500 calorie diet, I weighed 365 pounds (the highest weight I have ever been). I felt great the first 10 days of this diet and weight loss was occurring very fast. Well in around the 10th day or so, I started to have various symptoms appear: dull pain and tenderness in my right side and along the front of my stomach (which I strongly feel is my liver hurting), consistent yellow colored stools, fatigue, and just something wrong with my thinking that I just could not describe properly to my Dr. My Dr decided to get a stool sample from me, get a CAT scan of my liver, and take a liver panel to see if anything improved since I started dieting. I thought my ALT would be lower, but now it was in the 230 range, and I was devastated, because its nearly double of what it use to be for the past years! At this time I am getting severely worried that the enzymes were this high and that I am experiencing symptoms from something that appears to be liver related and then some symptoms that I do not know origin of. Well I just kept on the 1500 calorie a day diet another 5 days, then I decided to go to the emergency room because of how I been feeling, specially the liver pain and this 'mental thing' that I still have been having consistently. I was in the emergency room for 8 hours, the Dr done cat scan of the head and abdomen. He ruled out anything in the brain and didn't have any answer for my 'mental feeling'. But on the CT scan he noted that he seen infiltrated fatty liver. He done a liver panel, and it revealed now that my ALT was 330 and now my AST has hit 95! So now I am thinking that there is something very wrong! From what I said in the past I use to have ALT 100 to 150 consistently for years, now it jumps from 157 to 330 in roughly 3 weeks! I left the ER eventually and he diagnosed me with 'hepatitis; etiology unknown'. Also I had forgot to mention another symptom that I have been having during these past days that I started this diet, was alot of bloating, gas, and just plain alot of noise from my stomach after I ate. No matter what I ate the noise would last for 2 to 3 hours!

I decided to make an appointment to see my gastrologist. He tested me for just about everything liver related. Everything came back negative or normal except, my ALT 337 and AST 95. This is roughly 5 days since the other liver panel I had, and the ALT seems to have plateued at 330 range. This was on 11-28. I asked him that I want to get a liver biopsy done, and that I just am at the end of my rope and I do not care about the risk involved. I am freaking out at this time, because I am thinking that I have cirrhosis. I get the liver biopsy done 2 days later, results took another 3 days. During this time same symptoms present, but I have decided to eat more calories, around 3000 a day. Since I started eating more the symptoms started to seem a bit tapered off, specially the 'mental symptoms', I still have the 'mental symptoms' still though.

Well my biopsy report came back, and it says the following:

A: Moderate steatosis.
B: Mild chronic inflammation within portal tracts without piecemeal necrosis (Scheuer grade 1)
C: Slight portal fibrosis with no bridging fibrosis (Scheuer stage 1)
D: Trace amounts of stainable iron.

I was glad I didn't have cirrhosis, but I still felt ill. I was upset though at B, C, and D as it was something new I had to worry about. I am concerned about all of this, but the 'stainable iron' bothers me, as I cannot seem to find much about this on the internet. Even in a study that I found of 50 liver biopsies done on NASH patients, and none show stainable iron. My gastrologist told me not to worry about it, well I do worry about it, and I worry about this whole issue, as I have found out I have NASH and the recent finding that I have found is that a fast weight loss can make it progress much worse! Which I feel is what started this whole thing in the first place, the rapid weight loss. My gastrologist seems to not be knowledgeable with this, because he tells me there is nothing to worry about and that weight loss can reverse it. I have stated that I am extremely worried, and that there is something wrong with my liver beyond what the liver biopsy says, I told him I don't believe my liver is functioning properly. (I base this on the mental symptoms I have been having)

He says on the blood tests nothing shows him that this is happening, because the blood tests are normal, even the Ammonia checked on 3 different times have been in normal ranges, 100 UG/DL being the highest, and his lab chart shows 27 to 102 UG/DL to be within normal ranges. So still the only thing showing on the blood tests is the ALT 330 - AST 95. I know at this point that I should be seeing a hepatologist, but I don't know what to do, because it is a month waiting period to see one! In the meantime I feel that I am dying. I tell my wife this, this makes her upset. My wife and family said I appear normal to them, but I tell them my brain just does not feel right. I am so very worried, and yet at the same time I want to think positive, but its so hard!

Gastrologist mentions maybe I have depression! That downright made me upset! I know how I feel and this is not depression I told him. I am through with the gastrologist because they say there is nothing more they can do specially since everything is normal, but just to come back in a month to check liver panel again. They did mention for me to see a hepatologist though since they cannot do anything more. So here I am, I have all these symptoms, and I cannot get into a hepatologist for a month! What I ask of anybody that reads this, is if they have had or have any of the symptoms that I am having, and I would like any input/opinions/recommendations from anybody concerning all of this.

I so much appreciate it!!

-Eric

I want to once again thank everyone for their prayers, support, and advice.

I have been able to find a hepatologist that will take me in on December 21st. That is great that I can get in so soon! I still feel the same, but have found some medications that seem to taper off some of the mental symptoms I been having. I have found L-Arginine and Alpha Lipoic Acid, in addition to Milk Thistle to be helpful to a certain extent. Hopefully this Friday, the hepatologist that I will be seeing in Jackson, TN will be able to help me, and hopefully listen to me. I pray that he will. All your prayers are helping I believe. I didnt think I would be able to get into a hepatologist for such a long time, because other places are booked to March, and even one place is booked to May! Just called him today and he is getting me in on Friday! I think God is helping me get the help I need!

I want to thank everyone again for your prayers and support!

God thank you for all the help that you have been giving me. Thank you for your sons and daughters who pray for me for your healing and guidance. Thank you for helping my wife stand strong during this time. In Jesus Christ name, Amen!

God please guide me today when I see my hepatologist. Please help both him and me understand each other, and get to the bottom of what is been wrong with me. While my memory is not clear like it use to be, please help me understand. I thank you for all that you done for me and my wife. In Jesus Christ name, Amen.

The visit to the hepatologist did not turn out well like I thought it would. I didnt gain anything new as to why I am experiecing mental symptoms. He told me what I was expericing in my head was me causing it, or possibly ADHD. I know a hepatologist specializes in the liver, but the symptom I been having; STRONG FATIGUE, MALAISE, and SHORT TERM MEMORY LOSS, along with the pain that I have been having in my liver, and elevated liver enzymes.. Just all of this came on the same day. Right now though I dont have pain in my liver, I just have the mental issues. Im really tired while writing this, so it may not make much sense.

I did however make a appointment to see my primary care dr today, and seen him at 1:30 pm today. I got some more blood tests done, and he prescribed me something called Lactulose. I will post a update on that tomorow as I am tired right now and having alot fatigue.

I hope everyone had a merry christmas!

I am sorry to bring bad news like this, but I feel that God will work this out, lead me to the right direction so that this health crisis can be sorted out. I know with all your prayers it will be done!

Im sorry I have not posted any updates in the past 2 weeks. Been seeing Dr's here and there...Still no solid answer, although I will be having a Upper GI and a Colonscopy done to rule out some things. After that I will be scheduled to see a neurologist about all the mental symptoms that I been having for the past 2 months. My gastroenterologist said to me that if the liver was not functioning right that it would cause alot of mental symptoms. But he also believes that the mental symptoms I am having is not caused by my liver, but at the same time he said he cannot rule it out either. So he suggested I see a neurologist. I feel I will be getting to the bottom of this by seeing a neurologist.

I feel God working in my life. If God is not going to heal me instantly I feel He is leading me into the right direction so that I can find cure or a treatment for what is causing all these symptoms. I am not going to doubt that He will not heal me, perhaps He feels it may not be the right time. I still have the strong fatigue, short term memory loss, feeling as though I am swimming under water all the time..
... All your support and prayers are appreciated! Thanks for being strong for me and picking me up when I fall down!

I have gotten some update on my liver enzymes.. Since starting some medications and various herbs I was able to lower my liver enzymes to about half. They are mildly elevated still, so there is still active damage occuring to my liver. They have never been this low since in 4 years now. I am still in addition to this suffering from the mental symptoms which I am seeing a neurologist in 2 weeks agout and am going to get a electroencephlogram done in a week from today. I am hoping and praying that will reveal what is happening in my brain.

In addition to this, things just go wrong after another. This morning at 4 am my wife woke me up with severe stomach pain.. She was in very much pain, and I rushed her to the ER. THey done some blood tests and a ultrasound and found that she has gall stones. Which is all to familiar with me. The ER dr told her to follow up with her family dr, and that he highly recommended she get surgery to remove her gall bladder. So that is something we have to get done in the upcoming week or two. I worry about this, as my wife is overweight, and that she may not be able to get laproscopic surgery done instead may have to get the traditional surgery of being cut open to remove the gall bladder. I hope and pray that when she does get the surgery that everything will turn out good. Your prayers are greatly appreciated, and thank you for all that you have done!

I am going to share the medicine and herbs I am taking that has lowered my ALT liver enzymes. I am not a DR, so I recommend anyone that decides to try this to please consult your DR. Just because they work for me, they may not work for anyone else. Also as with any medicine or herbs there is always a risk of side effects and interactions with other medications. Anyways here is the list:

Urso Forte - prescription breaks down gall stones, improves bile flow, prevents gall stones from forming during rapid weight loss
Metformin - prescription keeps blood sugar in more normal ranges, which may help reduce fatty liver

herbs:
milk thistle - liver protectant
chinese salvia root - has shown to reverse fibrosis of the liver in rats
chinese astragalus root - has shown to reverse fibrosis of the liver in rats
licorice root - thins blood, increases circulation of blood to liver
dandelion root - stimulates bile flow
tumeric - stimulates bile flow
vitamin e therapy - has shown to help stop the liver from storing fat in itself
lecithin - has shown to help move fat from out of the liver

Once again for anyone that decides to try some of these herbs, some of them do thin the blood. Most of the herbs listed above have been tested in rats. Also please consult with your DR before taking any of these herbs.

I wanted to make this a seperate prayer request, but I cannot seem to figure it out and Im pressed for time.

My wife Amy was admitted yesterday to the hospital after visiting the ER for severe stomach pain and vomiting. She has to get emergency gall bladder removal surgery today Feb 1st at 3PM. Please pray that everything will turn out fine. Please pray for her during these times. I am at the library here so I cannot be here to long as I need to get back to the hospital with my wife.

God please make sure that the surgery will turn out fine, and that there wont be any trouble with the sedation/anasthesia. I ask for help , support, and for protection for my wife Amy. God please forgive my wife for her sins. Help us through my during her illness. In Jesus Christ name, Amen!

Her Gall Bladder surgery went great! The surgeon said it could have been any better! I was so worried during the time of surgery. Thanks for everyone praying. My wife is just now taking it easy while the scars heal, but she is doing pretty good. She feels 1000% better since she got her GB removed! Once again thanks for your prayers and support!

Amy healed very good after the surgery. She has scars now where she was cut open at, but I am glad everything healed up good and no infection happened! Thanks for everyone who has been praying! Thanks for everyone for their support! May God bless you all!

Everyone I really need your help more then ever. I ended up in the emergency room last night. I went in there because I have liver pain, feeling weak, confused, chills, and these strange sensations through out my body. I am so scared right now and I been crying most of the morning here with my wife after we got back from the hospital. I feel bad, and the hospital didnt appear to help me cause blood tests are showing up normal. I feel there is something wrong with me and I am terribly scared! I prayed to God with my wife this morning, crying out to him. I need healing or help as soon as possible.. Please I am desperate and putting alot of effort into writing this letter as I am feeling so weak and everything is so difficult. Please pray and pray for me. I need urgent help!

God bless.