Sjogrens and The Liver

[irish]

Sorry for my bugging you..I am concerned. It does sound like your doc is taking good care of you. Im not familiar with the drug of which you speak. You may very well have hit the nail on the head!!! Irish

[sixty]

How can they tell if certain issues are caused by auto immune illness?  How would they treat you differently if it is a sjogrens caused issue?
For instance, I've had a heart attack and I have kidney disease.  I've always asked my drs. if they think they are from sjogrens, and they say probably not.

[irish]

They would have to do some blood testing of certain blood markers that are significant in heart disease and the kidney disease plus kidney biopsies.
The heart is known to be involved at times with Sjogrens. We have had a few women who have had cardiologist diagnose them with heart issues related to
Sjogrens. These issues are usually the electrical system that is affected.

One lady had so much trouble and ended up with a pacemaker and a defibrillator. Generally these heart issues are regarded as a neuropathy disturbance from Sjogrens. In other words, the heart is sending bad electrical signals and triggers really crazy beats. This same lady had a heart rate in mid 200's one time. It took docs a while to figure her problems out as they are not common.

The kidneys can be affected but the regular blood work usually will give the hint that there is something amiss. The way I understand it, kidneys in Sjogrens have different problems than lupus kidneys do. Also, heart attacks generally show some issues with the circulation in the major vessels. When we have circulation issues in the heart vessels it is very common to have it affect the vessels in the kidneys also. This is just the little bit that I have learned from people coming to this site. I guess at this stage of the game you could ask some questions to satisfy your curiosity. It may help you with decisions regarding your treatment also. Good luck to you. Irish

[sixty]

How interesting!  Thanks for the response Irish.  It gives me something to think about for sure.  I think my drs. are plain lazy about investigating the possible sjogrens connection.

[rcristal]

 I received results from my latest blood test.  While my Liver enzymes remain high they are continuing to come down.  Again, it appears more than a little coincidental that they went up when I started on " Repatha" for my Heart and are slowly coming down since I discontinued taking it.

I am continuing to experience constant right side pain and discomfort.  I am having an Endoscopy next week and we will continue to monitor enzymes.

Best to all,

Rcristal

[irish]

Still thinking of you. Irish

[rcristal]

 The GI Doc is doing an Endoscopy tomorrow morning.  I have been waiting patiently for two weeks.  As I previously said, my Liver enzymes remain high but have continued to come down.  The Doc said that he sees nothing on the ultrasound or MRI that indicates pain.  The reality is that I have been in constant discomfort, pain and naseau. Again, perhaps " Repatha" caused this.  Of course I am a bit anxious to hear the results. 
As always, Sjogrens may be the culprit.  After being relatively steady for a few years I have been in a tough flare for about six months.  My terrific, long time Rheumatologist is sending me to visit with a Bilary/autoimmune specialist at a major medical site in a few weeks.

I really hope and trust that each of you are managing.  I am pleased to have found this site.

Rcristal

[irish]

Im thinking of you. Your rheumy is, indeed, a keeper. He is making the right moves to get you treatment. Good luck. Irish

[rcristal]

Much thanks Irish.  On the way in a few minutes.

Actually, my Rheumatologist is a Woman.  I might be a 69 year old man but I a much prefer Women Physicians.  They actually listen lol.  And they are thorough.

Best to everyone,

Rcristal