Dr. Stoll, I have been out of town since our last input of June 7, can you answer this for me? You mentioned,"THEN,after 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 recommemded on the bottle, etc."
What do you mean about the blood? Also, what is alpha lipoic acid? I have an appointment with a liver specialist August 6, I would like to start on this asap. I had an emergency and had to leave for Florida earlier this month so didn't get the alpha lipoic acid before I left.
I have Graves and they are pushing me to do the RAI.....how would this effect my liver? Thanks, Bonna
In Reply to: Fatty Spots in Liver posted by Bonna on July 01, 1998 at 20:20:54:
Dear Bonna,
If you have the inforamtion in my book, you have enough to know whether the RAI is for you. If you are doing the skilled relaxation, walking, and diet, you will know in a month if you are getting better. No one can tell you that RAI is an emergency treatment.
If you start taking the alpha lipoic acid before your blood is drawn, how can you tell what is happening without it?
If your "liver specialist" doesn't know about alpha lipoic acid, in relationship to liver degeneration, you need to run away as fast as you can. As a matter of fact, if s/he doesn't know of better liver function tests than SGOT SGPT, LDH, Alkaline Phosphatase, etc., I would run just as fast.
There is no longer any excuse for such intentional ignorance--especially by one holding him/herself up as an "expert" who charges anyone for advice.
Walt
In Reply to: Re: Fatty Spots in Liver posted by Walt Stoll on July 02, 1998 at 11:06:09:
Dr. Stoll, the alpha lipoic acid comes in 50 mg and 100mg.
your instructions said to take 4 times the dose recommended on the bottle. Which one should I take????
In Reply to: Re: Fatty Spots in Liver posted by Bonna on July 02, 1998 at 13:35:40:
Hi, Bonna.
I would get the 100 size & take at least two four times a day till this is past.
I would like to know the results of your TRUE liver function tests.
Walt
I have read through the posts regarding fatty liver and notice that you suggest alphalipoic acid in large doses for three weeks to remove the fatty infiltrates. I did look for the product at the local pharmacy but did not see it by that name. I will continue to look but I am still wondering how I got the fatty infiltrates and how I can prevent them from returning. I do not drink, smoke or take any drugs. I am not a diabetic and have no other diseases that I am aware of. I am fifty pounds over weight and have experienced many yo yo effect diets. Phenfen gave me a small murmur, confirmed by cardiac ultrasound. So, I am at an all time high on my weight, hoping for a miracle, when I am told that the pain in my right upper quadrant is my imagination. Confirmed by ultrasound and CT scan, the liver fatty infiltrates and small hemangioma "should not cause pain. Liver enzymes are normal. Come back in and have an endoscopy performed." I am sure that I have made a car payment for the gastroenterologist by now. I don't want the scope. Yes, I probably have Gastric reflux. Yes, weight loss will deminish my problem. I am not a big eater, I am a sweet eater. Take away my chocolate and lock me up! Do you have any suggestions besides chains.
Linda
In Reply to: alphalipoic acid posted by Linda on July 16, 1998 at 10:09:48:
Dear Linda,
You need a health-food store with an owner knowledgable enough to know the other names for alpha lipoic acid.
With your history, you have to be a MCS (Multiple Chemical Sensitivity) person and you need to get into the national network for lay people knowledgable about where to find that information. Everyone in this culture is exposed to about 500,000 different chemicals in the environment every day. Some of us are more sensitive to them than others & some of us have less reserves in the liver to cope with them than others. Your fatty spots are the typical first signs (other than the TRUE liver function tests) of this identification.
One of them is linked to this site (go to the links page). This is Melva Smith's newsletter and she lurks regularly on this BB.
Another is CIIN (Chemical Injury Information Network) and you could reach them at Box #301, White Sulphur Springs, MT 59605. Let us know what you learn.
Also, there is no doubt that you have had liver death tests but what you need are liver function tests. The liver enzyme tests only go up when the liver cell has died and the disintegrating cell wall allows enzymes from within the cell to escape into the blood. What you need are the tests that measure how well your cells are functioning WHILE THEY ARE STILL ALIVE. Liver enzyme tests are worse than nothing since they lend a false sense of security to both you & the intentionally ignorant gastroenterologist. I have already told you how to get the tests you need so I will not bug you any more about them here.
It is a crime that gastroenterologists make a fortune promoting their ignorance while people like you suffer. So long as the system is set up so that the sicker you are the more money the system will make, what incentive is there to learn how to catch things a lot earlier?
Your endoscopy is not going to tell anyone a damn thing about your liver stress. It will be uncomfortable enough, though, that you will think twice about complaining again.
Walt
In Reply to: Re: alphalipoic acid posted by Walt Stoll on July 17, 1998 at 10:15:29:
Dr. Sholl,
Thank you for the timely and appreciated response. The number that you gave to find a local hepatologist (1-800-234-6825) has been disconnected. Do you have another reference? What are the names of the additional liver test that you would suggest. I am an RN and not opposed to insisting that the gastroenterologist order the tests. I am, however, reluctant to believe that he can interpret them for me. I did call the local herbal market in Salt Lake City and the lady suggested "Flax seed" among other things. Since I am new to alternative therapies, it is difficult for me to determine who is in the know. Can you suggest a referral for me? I would sure like to know what chemical(s) to avoid.
I am considering the Eola products for vitamin and mineral suppliment. However, my trust level is wavering. I can't believe that I have raised seven children with a master's degree and feel so inept at this point in my life.
In Reply to: Re: alphalipoic acid posted by Linda on July 17, 1998 at 13:44:10:
Dear Linda,
Call Meridian Valley Labs., the one that had the (800) number, at (206) 631-8922. Ask them what happened to their (800) number. Let me know what you learn. I agree that it would be a lot quicker (and more accurate) for you to not have to educate your present doc. Once you are well, if you want to do that, more power to you.
Call the American Academy of Environmental Medicine, Box #16106, Denver, CO 80216 for the closest Clinical Ecologist to your area. When you get their number, I would appreciate your sharing it with the rest of us. They probably also have a website.
The more professional training any of us have, the harder it is for us to think in a different way. Here is a quote from Tolstoy that should help you see that:
"I know that most men, including those at ease with problems of the greatest complexity, can seldom accept even the simplest and most obvious truth if it be such as would oblige them to admit the falsity of conclusions which they have delighted in explaining to colleagues, which they have proudly taught to others, and which they have woven, thread by thread, into the fabric of their lives."
We both fit that catagory. What was it that the Bible said about this? Something like "ye must become as little children"???
Walt
The number you gave to call for referrals to liver specialists does not work.
1 -800-234-6825 is the one you gave. I even tried 1-888.
Please post the correct number ASAP.
Thanks!
In Reply to: Re: liverage spots posted by audrey on July 23, 1998 at 11:57:06:
Dear Audrey,
It seems that they were being overwhelmed with calls so they cut off their (800) number. You can still call (206) 631-8922.
Walt
Is there any help for someone with cirrhosis of the liver from hepatitis. The case is very advanced because the doctors' wasted a lot of time treating the condition as a psychological problem (anxiety attacks and depression).
Please, any advice would be so much appreciated.
MJ
In Reply to: Cirrhosis posted by MJ on July 25, 1998 at 10:21:17:
I forgot to mention that the hepatitis was 11 years ago and I only drink on very rare occasions (weddings, New Years) and in small quantities.
Thanks
In Reply to: Cirrhosis posted by MJ on July 25, 1998 at 10:21:17:
Dear MJ,
1. Has the hepatitis "burned itself out" yet?
2. Have any of your docs yet learned how to use true "liver function tests" rather than the far outdated "liver death tests" most physicians use? SGOT, SGPT, LDH & ALK PHOS are all liver death tests & NO knowledgable physician should ever be using them for diagnosis.
This question is critical since I need to know how many functioning liver cells you still have left before knowing which way for you to go.
Before knowing ANY of the above however, were I you, I would be taking alpha lipoic acid (at about 4 times the dose mentioned on the bottle). This can cause you no harm and will help preserve any live liver cells you have left till we know what to do next. You can get this at any knowledgable healthfood store or pharmacy. If they don't have it tell them to get it.
Walt