Not so great news from the docs

[Recluse]

Been having some increasingly severe pain in the upper abdominal area. Every indication was that my gall bladder was going rogue on me.

This week, I've seen at least one doctor a day with two a day starting on Wednesday. Monday, I see three.

It seems I'm in the early stages of liver failure, but they don't know why--only that there is cirrhosis (not from alcohol--I don't drink hard liquor and haven't for 29 years, and barely drink a six-pack of beer in a year. One glass of red wine a night is about it) that is causing swelling which is causing partial shutdowns which in turn causes more problems, all of which result in severe pain.

I'm grounded from flying, am nauseous most of the time which makes trying to eat a chore, and have been running a constant low-grade fever that nothing I take or that is prescribed touches.

Monday, I see a "super specialist" for lack of a better term. In the preliminary conversations with his staff, they are concerned about test results and numbers and values not agreeing with the physical symptoms. I've had the same tests done two different places and evaluated by two separate labs--both of which return the same results and values. However, the staff also assures me that they are the "best" in this field and it's simply a matter of tracing factors to determine the cause, then prescribing the proper medications to halt this progress.

We'll see, says the cynical me. In the meantime, I'm on this bombardment of prescription medications that are tearing me up on the inside, but for which the docs say is necessary for the moment because the toxins the liver is not filtering need to be neutralized then flushed.

In the meantime, I'm going to hibernate this weekend. I'll be cheering the Oklahoma Sooners on in the Red River Shootout (I despise University of Texas), then be cheering my beloved Texas Tech Red Raiders in their game.

Need to clear my head.

:coffee:

[AlaskanGuy]

Be careful of "thrush" due to the anti-biotics... It shows up as sores in the mouth and gums.... A total pain..... There are lots of stuff that can help with the sores over the counter

[fishhawk]

JD I wish you all the best in this, some time things just happen. Just know your in my thoughts and prayers. steve k

[hardcase54]

Prayers to you JD. God bless.

[Love Life]

You will be in prayers this evening.

[Smoke4320]

Prayers that first they will find what it is and second it will be something easy to repair
hang in there

[theperfessor]

You are in my thoughts. Modern medicine is like modern warfare. If they can see it, they can hit it, if they can hit it they an destroy it. Here is hoping that they will see what the real problem is and hit it a good whack. Hang in there.

[Moonie]

Praying for you my friend. You must get better, this place needs you around.

[gray wolf]

My friend I wish you all the best in the world and I sincerely mean that.
My prayers have been said for a healing. I know you will stay strong cause your that kind of guy.
Please look into (milk thistle) It can't hurt and may help.

Sam & Julie

[waksupi]

That ain't good, JD. I don't know if you believe in it or not, but you may want to consult an herbalist. They would give you a cleansing mix that may purify the liver to some extent. Herbalists have managed to take care of a couple things for me that the regular docs were having no luck with.

[Echo]

Love ya, JD. Best of luck...

[w5pv]

Hang in there and prayers are sent from here

[500MAG]

As a Pharmacist, I tell my patients facing such testing and issues, that nothing beats the power of prayer. We have a saying in our church, PUSH, pray until something happens. You will be in mine.

[square butte]

You are in our thoughts and prayers here.

[Houndog]

Hang in there Recluse! Prayers are being offered up for a full recovery.

[bayjoe]

We will keep you in our prayers

[Bzcraig]

don't know why this stuff happens or the good that comes from it, but still completely trust in the Creator! Praying for you brother!

[monadnock#5]

In 1995, when he was 63, my Pop went in for gall bladder surgery. The one where they poke two holes, one for the tool and the other for the scope. Having made their repairs, they went on a scouting expedition before buttoning up. That was when they found the cirrhosis.
The next several consults were rather bizarre in my opinion, as the docs wouldn't accept "I'm not a drinker" for an answer. They acted like they were detectives and he was criminal. This went on for several months.
Finally, he was given a test for a genetic flaw. A very, very expensive test. It was then that Dad was diagnosed with non-alchaholic cirhossis of the liver, and the opinion that witout a transplant, he had five years.
I have no idea what you have, there are no docs at my house. My only point here is to say that if your cirhossis should happen to be of the genetic variety, please don't let them drag out the diagnosis for reluctance to use an expensive test. The sooner the better. I don't know if another couple of months would have made any difference for my Pop. He did get the five years they told him he would.
Prayers for you and yours.

[torker]

My wife and I will keep you in our prayers. Hang in there..

[Circuit Rider]

Recluse, I agree with waksupi. Should be some good ones in your area. You are in our prayers. James

[kbstenberg]

Recluse you are in my prayers also Kevin

[smoked turkey]

Recluse I know you are one tough cookie. I believe that you have the will and desire to beat this thing. Coupled with a belief in a God that can and does heal, you will be looking back on this as an obstacle but one that you overcame. As has been said before, I will be praying for total healing.

[Sweetpea]

Recluse, prayers headed from here...

I've been enjoying your book lately, and will be looking for the next one to come out...

Get some rest, friend... Pushing yourself won't help anything.

Brandon

[Goatwhiskers]

I can't say anything that hasn't already been said. The prayers of this house are for quick diagnosis and complete healing. Hang in there! GW

[fryboy]

bummer that ... not much i can add to the above but my own best wishes

it wasnt alcohol that got to my ex wife's liver , it was tylenol of all things , holistic and natural cant hurt and as much as i hate any chemical compounds i understand that there are uses for them , good luck amigo and my best wishes

[unclogum bill]

Anyone can use the Mayo Clinic. Some of the best are there. Getting in is an easy process, they take lots of insurance, heck didn't cost my cousin a dime. They have one in AZ. punch on this and call them . Can't hurt http://www.mayoclinic.org/arizona/

[Crawdaddy]

Best wishes and prayers Recluse

[snuffy]

"The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much" (James 5:16). That means if we all pray for JD, he's going to be fine. Pray for him every time you think of him. Those whispered quick prayers are still heard by Jesus.

JD, hang in there, know that we'll keep praying until we hear it's healed, or you have a course of meds that will handle it.

[9.3X62AL]

You are in my thoughts. Modern medicine is like modern warfare. If they can see it, they can hit it, if they can hit it they an destroy it. Here is hoping that they will see what the real problem is and hit it a good whack. Hang in there.

This says most of what I have to say concerning this turn of circumstances, Recluse. I would add that you and yours are in our prayers, and I'm a living example that what The Perfessor says is right as rain.

[TXGunNut]

Sounds like you're on the right path, even if it's a rocky one. I like a doc that doesn't take another doc's findings carte blanche. I think he's already seen something that indicates further study & testing, sure beats accepting another's diagnosis and proceeding with a cookie-cutter treatment plan. Seems there are lots of OTC and Rx drugs that attack the liver, a little research may reveal some likely suspects.
Seems many of us around here are doing our best to support the medical profession, pretty soon we'll have drug companies and specialty clinics buying ad space.

My thoughts and prayers will be with you & yours, JD.

[MaryB]

I will keep you in my prayers. Some infections can damage the liver too, another thing to look for.

[scottiemom]

sorry to hear - prayers going up for you and your family!

[Wayne Smith]

Praying for wisdom for the docs and one or two that doesn't accept the party line but digs for the truth. Praying for God to heal you and frustrate the docs if He wishes.

[sparky45]

JD; I agree with MaryB, with your elevated temperature you could easily have a low grade infection. And, remember the Liver is the big sump pump for our bodies, it filters everything. Please have comfort knowing that we on this blog care for and pray for you and your recovery.

[WILCO]

JD I wish you all the best in this, some time things just happen. Just know your in my thoughts and prayers. steve k

Well said and ditto for me.

[archmaker]

You are in our prayers, we know the pain of the doctor roulette very well. My wife after seeing sureon after surgeon is finally getting an operation done tuesday, so we finally landed on the right one. Wishing you god speed and praying for good news.

[farmerjim]

You in our prayers for a speedy recovery.

[mold maker]

Keep the faith. We're praying for you.

[Love Life]

Keep us updated on your condition...and the nurses.

[MT Gianni]

Prayers sent, keep the attitude positive no matter what.

[North_of_60]

I will be praying for your healing and for peace in your heart.

"The LORD bless you and keep you;
The LORD make His face shine upon you, And be gracious to you;
The LORD lift up His countenance upon you, And give you peace."'
Numbers 6:24-26

Al

[smokeywolf]

Recluse, another vote for looking into the herbs. Be sure to do your due diligence and check for interactions with your prescribed meds.
I take 3 different herbs every day, a couple more as needed, plus trans-resveratrol and a red wine extract. Oh, and fish oil and krill oil caps.

My BIL was put on the liver transplant list while in his mid sixties. Because of his age and since his name isn't Larry Hagman or Steve Jobs, it was a forgone conclusion that he would never get his transplant. Here we are 10 years later and he is still doing pretty well, does most of the things he's always enjoyed.

Thoughts and prayers for you. Hope you're still gettin' some good spoiling from your daughters. Love and attention makes an astonishing difference in speeding up recovery.

the smokeywolf family

[Artful]

Hope your feeling better soon - remember the human body does repairs - have faith and search for solutions to kick start your repair cycle.

[Honorstick]

I'll be adding you to my prayer list Recluse.

I feel your pain with dealing with the doctors and all of the testing, I've been dealing with debilitating stomach issues for over a year. At first they were saying gastroparesis from diabetes and now they're thinking maybe autonomic neuropathy also from diabetes and I go back down to Ann Arbor this week for more testing (6 hour drive one way). It gets very frustrating but I continue to hold on to my faith in our lord and savior and I am truly thankful for all I have been blessed with and for every day I can still get up and put my feet on the floor.

Just keep the faith in our heavenly father and allow him to lead, accept his will in your life and let his peace fill your soul. While it may not always be an easy thing to do, it will help you to push on.

Keep up the good fight brother.

[JonB_in_Glencoe]

Sending up some prayers for you...

[shaper]

Recluse. This sound familure to me. there is a reacuring sickness in the female members of our family that causes cerossis of the liver and none of them have ever drank more than ice tea. It is rare. It has been traced back to the Polish part of the world. So far we have lost an Aunt, 2 cousins, 1 sister, and one very sweet granddaughter. Right now a sister in Florida has it. In her case they found it early enough that the doctors can treat her and she is doing much better. There has ben a lot of research on this. Diet is very important. If you would like to talk to her for more info. just send me your email address or phone number by a PM and I'll get you together.
In the mean time I'll keep you on my prayer list also.

[gofastman]

FWIW, there is some emerging evidence that black coffee can help prevent cirrhosis of the liver, are you a coffee drinker?

[fivegunner]

Recluse, check out the over the counter herbal supplement Milk thistle extract. It seem`s to help me.

[geargnasher]

Hepatitis C? I hope not, but know a bunch of veterans who have it.

Gear

[Ramar]

You're in my Prayers.
Ramar

[slim1836]

Hang in there and trust in the power of prayer, he knows best.
Will say a prayer for you also. Please keep us informed.

Slim

[300savage]

will be praying