Crohns / ulcerative colitis sufferers

[ColdAsIce]

Has anyone with UC had blood tests done that showed abnormal Liver Function Tests?

With Crohns, yes.

I was once put on a drug cannot remember name of the top of my head unfortunately that very quickly messed up my liver function tests.

Even once I came off the drug, it literally took months and months before I got back to normal levels.

Liver function is always tested when I get asked for bloods.

 

[Dugganator]

Has anyone with UC had blood tests done that showed abnormal Liver Function Tests?

Tablets have to be processed via the liver so if your body doesn't have as strong liver function it will struggle. More so if you drink as well will have an impact and be visible.

I have heard people have higher levels while taking meds etc. Just be honest if your drinking at all maybe reduce that, If not what sort of level are the tests showing would be the key. You can look at what normal levels are etc

Also there are many things that can affect liver function have a read on them and see if you tick any of the boxes maybe.

 

[mattyg]

Has anyone with UC had blood tests done that showed abnormal Liver Function Tests?

Yes but I'm a touch overweight which the docs say is the cause.

I'm on monthly bloods now as I'm on azathioprine.

I seem to be a little bit more stroppy than usual but that could be because I was on Pred for so long and rebounded so went back on again. So it could be coming off the pred thats the issue.

I'm still going 4-5 times a day and not had a solid stool for as long as I can remember. Mine are formed but soft.


But I dont have to panic about leaving the house anymore.

 

[Dis86]

It's sad but that last line is such an important thing.

 

[novaenough]

At my last nights appointment 7.15pm seems late but cool that the NHS are doing appointments that late . I was told that they will start to reduce my azathioprine down if I continue at the rate I have. I'm pleased but at the same time wonder have we had any success stories from anyone here coming off the drug?

I'm please that I've made real progress and got what seems to be everything under control (fingers crossed) but concerned ill come off or reduced drugs and have issues.

Personally I hate having to take the tablets so would love to be drug free if possible in the near future.

That sounds positive if they're looking to reduce the tablets, I can understand why you'd want to be pill free.
I stopped taking azathioprine in January, so far so good. The other advantage is no more monthly bloods, which is good since my veins seemed to be getting really good at hiding!

 

[monkeyspank]

Has anyone with UC had blood tests done that showed abnormal Liver Function Tests?

Yep after starting azathioprine my liver function got scarily bad, but thats why they regularly monitor it I suppose. Also mercaptopurine (same drug but doesnt need metabolosing or something like that). Stopped taking them and it went back to normal

 

[Maccapacca]

Has anyone with UC had blood tests done that showed abnormal Liver Function Tests?

My ESR and white blood cell count were all over the place however have settled down now. I'm on three monthly blood tests unless I feel rough then I can drop in and have another. The NPT blood tests are very good

 

[chipperhead]

I was asking as inflammatory bowel disease is associated Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis (liver disease).
Raised LFT's were the early marker that I had PSC.
Approx 5% of patients with IBD are co-diagnosed with PSC, mainly UC but also Crohn's.

 

[Mobius 1]

Let me know how it goes for you. I noticed a massive improvement very quickly.

Thanks ! Will do ! Literally counting down the days til I go for this appointment in November.

I'll make those lifestyle changes in the mean time

 

[robgmun]

Has anyone with UC had blood tests done that showed abnormal Liver Function Tests?

Only when i was very sick and my albumin levels were sky high. Azathioprine also gave some abnormal Liver Function if i took more than 150mg a day. It's all a balancing act

 

[Craig1981]

Reading this thread makes me realise how lucky I apparently am. Is it uncommon to have the disease go into remission to the point you don't need medication?

 

[DanTheMan]

Reading this thread makes me realise how lucky I apparently am. Is it uncommon to have the disease go into remission to the point you don't need medication?

I'm sat here thinking the same. I haven't been on medication for 5+ years and it rarely affects me any more. I still worry constantly about needing the loo and not being able to get there in time but it is more of a mental issue than an actual flare.

 

[mattyg]

It's sad but that last line is such an important thing.

Yup. Leaving the house with half a bog roll shoved in your boxers just in case isn't fun.

I have a friend with Crohns..makes me glad I have UC instead

 

[RSR]

I got told I had IBS a whole bunch of times, even when I finally had my gallbladder removed they didn't suspect anything else... instead put all the abdominal pain down to that. (Only reason I had that was because a junior doctor agreed to refer me, the regular GPs were useless).

I have had pretty much the same experience but I've had private referrals some of which I paid for myself and every time I've been told it was IBS and there was nothing they could do for me.

It wasn't till a friend referred me to my current chap, who questioned allot of the results but I feel he has made more progress in the past 6 months over the past 5/6 years of other consultants. I do feel pretty positive the new chap is on the ball.

 

[RSR]

It's sad but that last line is such an important thing.

Agreed.

I struggle to leaving the house in the morning and as I get public transport to and from work anxiety really can set in. However, I do find its better in the afternoon and evening but oddly I still struggle going out.

I'm lucky to have a few friend who are quiet understanding but I've also go a number of friends who don't understand it and I'm repeated told its in your head and you are fine, which is very frustrating.

If Azathioprine is helpful, it going to be a huge boost in confidence for me as it will be the first time I can leave the house and not panic or worry about it.

 

[mattyg]

I have a friend who keeps going on about my diet. Yeah I need to lose a few. But thats not what has caused my DISEASE!

Thinking about it though. Has there been any studies on diet and UC. If I eat healthy and exercise and become healthier. To the point where my body is able to fight infections etc better...........Wont that make my immune system more powerful and possibly make my UC worse.

 

[Dugganator]

I've found exercise has helped me loads. My diet has changed a few times but as long as I don't eat the same things over and over again I find I never had an issue. This is the next goal for me a better overall diet, I tend to have one great week followed by a week of cheat meals and nights out .

I used to go to the gym once a week and was a bit of a token effort really and was to heavy. When I was on the Pres my weight went up to just under 20 stone the first time and honestly I had every one of the side affects it would seem on my first course. I was around 17stone but found I ate so much and had the hunger of a horse while on those drug put on so much weight and did nothing to combat it. The last time I was on the drug I worked my butt off and didn't put a pound on although I didn't loose any weight either so a victory but none the less a hard fort one.


I've taken up running and since then I can say a lot has changed for the better. Ive gone from the just under 20 stone dude to just run under 16stone or over. I'm 6,2 so still to heavy but I'm fit for someone of my size I can now run a 24 minute 5km and have completed many 10k, half marathons and this year completed my first marathon in Paris. I won most improved runner in my running club as I managed within a year to go from 34 minute 5k down to 25 minute and only recently breaking the sub 25 area.

I cant say if UC running has helped my UC but overall health is so much better. The only warming I give to people is that eat light before a long run lol. I have never had an accident but when I first started running I would always get the feeling I need to go. I learnt to control this mind but its horrible running and having that feel of "oh damn I need to go NOW!!!!." although once you stop it goes away instantly its just the pressure you put on your bowels normally on hill.

Anyway ive given to much information and can share loads more on what I have done and what has worked for me if anyone likes. But as I said in the thread early if I continue on the path of recovery the doctors are going to be reducing/taking me off the tablets at my next visit.

TLDR : Ive found running has health my UC and health loads. Plus side is I have lost a ton of weight and still loosing weight

 

[Zico]

Reading this thread makes me realise how lucky I apparently am. Is it uncommon to have the disease go into remission to the point you don't need medication?

Makes your posts in the Now Eating thread more lucky .

In recent months I'm finding that more and more foods are either setting things off or are making things generally uncomfortable (Crohn's).

 

[Haly]

Makes your posts in the Now Eating thread more lucky .

In recent months I'm finding that more and more foods are either setting things off or are making things generally uncomfortable (Crohn's).

I hope it's a weird blip of some sort.

My Mum's just found out that the Adalimumab she's been on most of this year isn't working any more. Given how rough she's been at times, it's sort of a relief that things should be better than they are, but bit apprehensive about what's next for her. This is the third medication she's been on without decent results.

 

[dowie]

I have a friend who keeps going on about my diet. Yeah I need to lose a few. But thats not what has caused my DISEASE!

Thinking about it though. Has there been any studies on diet and UC. If I eat healthy and exercise and become healthier. To the point where my body is able to fight infections etc better...........Wont that make my immune system more powerful and possibly make my UC worse.

nah the important things with diet are making sure you're getting all the nutrients you need (because your gut isn't exactly working optimally), making sure you have enough iron (if you're bleeding due to the inflammation) and avoiding foods that irritate the gut.

Not sure about UC but with crohns disease when it affects the small bowel you can end up with narrowing from the scarring after some areas have been inflamed - this means that when you eat some foods that are high in fiber you can get blocked up quite easily leading to lots of abdominal pain from not just the inflammation but the fact that a load of food is backed up and causing a bit of swelling/pressure in that part of the gut. The solution is to cut down on fiber, eat white bread instead of brown, eat white rice instead of brown rice, cut down on things like raw green veg - salads etc.. basically the opposite of lots of standard healthy eating advice. This is why it is important to see an Dietitian (ideally one with experience of IBD patients) and NOT some Nutritionist who will largely not have a clue nor be properly qualified and quite likely will dish out some standard eating advice or some new age nonsense. Lowering the quantity of food you eat, eating slowly etc.. can help in that respect too.

I'd go and see a dietitian for a one off appointment.