How I love thee, liver?

I'm trying to keep medical posts to a bare minimum, I'm sure it all gets rather boring pretty quickly (I know it's pretty boring living with it!).

Things have hit a bit of a bump in the road ... I'm starting to get liver problems, my LFTs (liver function tests) are quite high, which indicates problems of some sort. I have quite a few 'liver' symptoms too (nausea, vomiting, itchiness, no appetite, dull ache in upper abdomen, excessive fatigue etc). My immunologist took me off Methotrexate a month ago, when my Gamma GT level was 150, as this was much too high (normal is under 42 or so) and Methotrexate can affect the liver – but after a month on Imuran (which shouldn't be damaging my liver), my Gamma GT result is 497! Around 10 times normal levels! Yikes!

It's possible that the Imuran has caused this, but not very likely. There's practically no chance that the six other meds I take are causing the problem. More likely, unfortunately, is that the sarcoidosis has got into my liver. This happens in around 50% of sarcoid patients, so it's not an uncommon development. It's just a bit shitty, really. In general it shouldn't lead to permanent damage, but in the worst case scenario you can end up needing a transplant (I know several sarcoid patients who are waiting for liver transplants).

I've been off the Imuran for 3 days now, so if that was causing the problems, I should gradually feel better. If it's sarcoidosis causing the problems, I'll gradually feel worse. Tending towards the latter so far ...

So I have more blood tests this week, and a biliary ultrasound. There's a chance I'll end up back in hospital if my condition keeps getting worse (ie it's sarcoid, not a drug reaction), especially if the itchiness and vomiting get worse. I may need a liver biopsy (La la la la I can't hear you!!) >.<

And I think my vision is slightly deteriorating again ... bugger it. I guess this means my corticosteroids are too low (I'm only on 6 mg/day – a big difference from the 60 mg/day I started on). The weight gain from the steroids could be a source of the liver problems, too, I've put on about 12 kg (26 lb) because of the steroids, and this can contribute to fatty liver problems. If that's what I've got. But we don't know yet.

Anyway. Trying not to obsess about it too much, will let you know what transpires.

P.S. I REALLY FUCKING HATE TAKING STEROIDS. It's actually a toss up as to whether I'd rather be half blind or really fat.

P.P.S. The super cute tea cosy is one I knitted for my sister, and is from my amazingly clever friend Loani Prior's book "Really Wild Tea Cosies". It's the Garden Party design. And my sister-in-law fell in love with it, so I made one for her too!