Dr. Stoll, I was on Tapazole for 6 months and now my blood tests for my liver were elevated. They did a sonogram on my liver and said it showed no disease, just fatty spots. Can you tell me what that means, and if I can get rid of them? Thank you, Bonna
In Reply to: Fatty Spots in Liver posted by Bonna on June 05, 1998 at 19:11:20:
Dear Bonna,
Fatty Degeneration of the liver is the first gross evidence of what can eventually lead to necrosis of the liver and death (without a liver transplant which is just a delayed death sentence anyhow). You MUST find out why this is happening. Physicians who order the primitive "liver death" tests I am sure you are talking about, have to wait for the liver to BE dead for the next step. I will bet that the tests you had were SGOT, SGPT, LDH, Alk Phos, GGT, etc.
If I had "fatty spots" the very first thing I would do is find a physician in my area who knew enough to at least order true "liver function" tests rather than the "liver death" tests you have had so far. Call (800) 234-6825 for the names of the physicians in you area who would know enough to order REAL liver function tests. THEN, aftrer having the blood out of your body, for the first of those tests to establish a baseline for future progress, I would start alpha lipoic acid, at about 4 times the dose recommended on the bottle, till I knew what environmental cause needed to be avoided. I would start my first dose as soon as the needle was out of my arm. I would not wait for the results.
If anyone thinks the tapazole had anything to do with this, yu have to get off of it ASAP.
Walt
In Reply to: Re: Fatty Spots in Liver posted by Walt Stoll on June 07, 1998 at 12:21:25:
Dr. Stoll, thank you for your advice. I WILL take it. Can you help me understand what you meant in the second paragraph where you write, "THEN, after having the blood out of your body" what does that mean? Where can I get alpha lipoic acid, and yes, my Endo took me off of the Tapazole immediately.
When I asked the nurse what fatty spots meant, she said she didn't know, but it much not be bad because the Dr. said to file the test, they weren't even going to call me, I had to call them to find out how the sonograhm was.
I will call the 800 number you gave me. This endo set me up with an appointment with a Liver specialist July 2, but I don't know if he will be like the endo or not.
Thank you so much for your help. Bonna
In Reply to: Re: Fatty Spots in Liver posted by Bonna on June 10, 1998 at 20:33:35:
Dear Bonna,
I have no idea what I could have meant by "after the blood is out of your body--". That could be fatal (grin). Let mne know the date I sent that & I can read the text and tell you what I meant.
Alpha lipoic acid is available over the counter in the pharmacy and any good health food store.
Fatty spots in the liver are NOT a good thing. ANY doc thinking it is "nothing" is just showing his/her ignorance. Remember, it has to be pretty bad for it to even show up on a scan. Our instruments are still pretty primitive.
That is why I say that you need REAL liver function tests and not the liver death tests you had done. The first thing you need is a board certified doc who knows about MODERN medicine. Those docs who still order liver death tests are still practicing what I learned in medical school 40 years ago. Another strictly conventional "specialist" is not likely going to do you much more good than you have already had. YOU are going to have to learn enough to protect yourself.
Walt
Dear Dr Stoll,
I am posting this under a new heading as the old messages are really too far down.
I don't have a problem posting my medical history on your bulletein board, however, it is a long and chequered one and I am afraid I shall occupy too much space.
Perhaps, I could e-mail you the details and you could decide what is relevant and what is not and then post it on the board.
I sincerely wish to "air my views" as I want others to know that no matter what the odds are, there is life.If it serves the purpose of your boards, and you do not mind a rather long post, I shall happily post an epistle.
Please respond and let me know your preference.
Regards, Zarin
In Reply to: Deficiency, Protein C posted by Zarin on June 09, 1998 at 09:13:49:
Dear Zarin,
Long posts are no problem. Those for whom they are too long probably do not have similar problems to you & so do not need to read them anyhow. The more that is listed the easier it is for me to figure out your pattern
Just be sure to only list the occurance & no explanation of them. If I need anything expanded, I will ask for it.
People on the bb need to see this unfold to understand it.
I will be out of town for a few days next week & will get behind for those days.
Walt
In Reply to: Re: Deficiency, Protein C posted by Walt Stoll on June 12, 1998 at 08:23:34:
Dear Dr. Stoll,
Will try and keep this as succinct as possible.
I was born by c-section, almost 9 1/2 mths old, transverse case. At 4, I developed UTI, which never left me till my early 20's when I was treaded with ayruvedic medicine for the disease. Had a very bad case of jaundice at around 15. Started my menstrual cycle at around 11+ Very traumatic. Was put on HRT to control the bleeding. By 24, developed polyps on cervix. Bleeding uncontrollable. Had a total hysterectomy at 24, ovaries in tact, however, they are undersized and function only occasionally.Had my first DVT at 36. Till age 40 I took wafarin to overcome each DVT attack. At that time during a routine "off wafarin" period to have my teeth cleaned, I thrombosed on the 4th day without wafarin. An extensive blood protein analysis was done. The results showed that I had zero protein c and that based on my history I had genetic protein c deficiency. I have remained on wafarin/heparin since then.
Oh yes, I smoke and drink in moderation.If I exclude drinking, my dosage of wafarin goes up dramatically. At one stage I quit smoking for 18 months, but it did not stop me from thrombosing, so I thought, what the heck.
I have eleminated everything from my diet that is even remotely reminiscent of vit K, and that has resulted in my dosage to be lowered to 7 1/2mg of wafarin a day. Currently, due to the necrosis of the skin, I am still on heparin(fraxiparin 0.3 twice a day subcutaneous shots on my abdomen).
You had suggested ALA. Mary Jackson has kindly consented to send me some. I am convinced there are ways to jump start my liver into synthesizing protein C.
One point. Since I have been on wafarin, I have steadily gainded weight. These past 2 weeks while I have been on heparin, I have lost 10 lbs in 12 days, I am to go go back on wafarin on the 18th to "build down" my blood INR to 3.
I anxiously await your feedback Zarin
In Reply to: Re: Deficiency, Protein C posted by Zarin on June 14, 1998 at 09:42:51:
Dear Dr. Stoll,
someone who read my post got back to me and said that they did not understand the abbreviations I ad used, so I am listing below the terms. It was very presumptious of me to assume everyone would know the terms. Sorry to all.
UTI: Urinary Tract Infection/Cystitis
HRT: Hormone Replacement Therapy
DVT: Deep Vein Thrombosis
INR: International Neutralisation Ratio( a ratio used to determine the quantity of wafarin required to neutralise the effect of vit. k in the blood)
Hope I haven't missed anything. Zarin
In Reply to: Re: Deficiency, Protein C posted by Zarin on June 14, 1998 at 09:42:51:
Dear Zarin,
"Keeping it succinct" does not help. I know you are doing it out of consideration for ME. However this is about YOU and the more stuff you can include, the EASIER it is for me. Take another look at the Health Coaching directions and then be selfish! This really IS about you & only you.
As I have said before, I do not need things elaborated but the more things one can list, the better.
NOW, having said that, I need to know what part of the country you live in. Although I can already see some things that would help, you are going to need someone local who has cared enough to become expert in seeing the forest for the trees.
Walt
In Reply to: Re: Deficiency, Protein C posted by Zarin on June 14, 1998 at 09:42:51:
By the way, Zarin,
This is one of those things that you will have to be careful to continue conventional treatment while you get well. You may even have to see the conventional doc oftener as you get well since you will keep changing & your medications will have to be adjusted oftener. In the end, your medications will be much less (or even unnecessary). However, the transition may be ticklish & will require your conventional doc being willing to work with the doc that will be getting you well. If s/he is not, you will need to get a more cooperative doc-----it would indicate to me that that doc's ego is more important to him/her than your health.
Walt
Hello Dr. Stoll,
I think this board is wonderful!
Periodically I have very light colored stools....somewhat goldish in color. Is this a sign of other problems? I am anemic and take iron supplements, a multi vitamin-mineral, and I also take the liquid liver extract because it's high in iron.
I recently purchased a copy of your book and am enjoying it very much. I have already started to put some of your suggestions to work.
Please advise....thanks!
In Reply to: Light Colored Stools posted by Darlene on June 24, 1998 at 08:00:19:
Dear Darlene,
Thanks for the testimonial.
To me, the light colored stools (considering how much iron you are taking) indicate less than optimal liver output which MAY indicate less than optimal liver metabolism & detoxification. This, in turn, could be the result of LGS overloading the liver function.
You would need some competent lab work to sort this out.
Were it me, I would call 2 places:
1. Meridian Valley Labs., (800) 234-6825. Ask them for the names of physicians close to you who would know enough to order true liver function tests (as opposed to the "liver death" tests presently done at local labs) AND what to do about the results.
2. Great Smokies Labs., (800) 522-4762. Ask them for the names of physicians close to you who would know enough to order a comprehensive stool analysis and a purged stool analysis AND what to do about the results.
THEN compare your lists. The chances are that you will find several docs that appear on both lists. THEY are the ones you should call.
Let me know your results.
Regardless what is going on, your present wellness program will help your systems cope.
Walt