Polymyositis & Dermatomyositis Support Group

Polymyositis (PM) is a type of chronic inflammation of the muscles (inflammatory myopathy) related to dermatomyositis and inclusion body myositis. The inflammation is predominantly of the endomysium in polymyositis, whereas dermatomyositis is characterized by primarily perimysial inflammation.

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Muscles & Bones
/ Polymyositis & Dermatomyositis Support Group

Liver

Ricky23
Ricky23
Hi... I went to hospital yesterday for check up. Since starting predislone 6 weeks ago I have got rid of all the horrific pains. They want me to stay on the same dose 20mg for another 6 weeks. They say my liver test has come back high... and cannot start me on any other drugs until I have a scan of my liver.
Is this normal? As I have Ovarian cancer and am now worried that maybe its in my liver!! I had dermatomyositis before I was originally diagnosed with cancer.. afrer my op it disappeared!! But now its back no one is putting 2 and 2 together!!
Should I be on predislone for all this time.. I bever seem to be given much info... It is known that dermatomyositis and cancer can go hand in hand.
Also told not to go abroad as its too risky to go in the sun.. so feel quite flat at the moment.
My nose is agony. . No one bothered. Im guessing this thing is in my nose and that's why its soooo sore... my head itches incessantly.. so im guessing this is all part of the Dermatomyositis!!
autumm
autumm
Hi Ricky. This is not really a high dose of prednisone and it is very normal to keep you at this dose when they are awaiting liver results and can't start the other drugs until the liver results are through. Would be a good idea to see your GP re your nose and the itching as I am sure he can help. Keep in mind that you are better than you were and as son as the docs have more results they can begin drugs to make you better still. My liver results were off the wall at the beginning if all this and are very normal now, I am even allowed the odd glass of wine. You will get away on holiday but maybe not to the sun just yet. DM people have to be careful of both sun and fluorescent lighting. Hope they do the scan soon and you can get on with the Meds. Autumm
amberhere
amberhere
Hi Ricky - keep your chin up and try to think positive - I know it is hard - please try not to worry so much with your liver - the liver results can vary so much from person to person. Good luck with your scan. Take care.
trpt1
trpt1
Hi Ricky23, When I have a DM flare, my liver enzymes go up. My ALT is always above normal in a flare. Sometimes my AST will also go up in a flare too. High liver scores can be one indicator of DM flare for some people.

I am sure your doctors do need to figure out what is happening with the elevated liver.

You mentioned having itchy skin and sinus/nose agony - I have fatty liver disease and the same symptoms! I also have the roof of my mouth that will hurt on and off. I gargle with Listerine and that helps some but not all the time. I will also experience nausea, vomiting and fatigue with the fatty liver too.

I take 5mg of Prednisone and 750mg of Cellcept. I must take a lower dose of the Cellcept due to my liver issues.

I hope the doctors will quickly determine your situation. Keep us posted.
Ricky23
Ricky23
Thank you all so much for your comments and advice. It really makes a difference to know im not alone!! I really dont know much about the future and what happens next.. I dont seem to know a lot..!!
Why can it effect your liver? What is cellcept? This was mentioned on Tuesday...
autumm
autumm
Hi Ricky. Cellcept is a Dmard. This is a drug used to treat many people with our disease. I was going to be given it if the Azathioprine had not worked. It does a great job for lots of people with our disease so don't worry about it. Only tiny doses are used by Rheumatologists. I don't know about the science behind why our liver enzymes skyrocket with the inflammation during the start of this disease. I don't really want to know, it's all too much information fir me, I want to get on with my life. I only know mine were off the scale and I nearly did not make it. Now, they are completely normal. Autumm
pmcki96ey
pmcki96ey
Dm makes your liver AST test go up... but there are other test that check you liver functions. If the liver function test are coming back ok then you should be fine. Once you get the DM under control then the liver AST test should go down as well. You will also probalby get a fatty liver, which is what I have noticed on online chats is common, which is what my hubby has. He just had a liver biopsy done to check his liver before they move him to more potent meds becasue not only was his AST test high, which has been since this started, but his actual liver function test were ab-normal too this time around. SO the liver biopsy showed a fatty liver and some slight signs of inflamtion, nothing to worry about yet, but it is showing up. SO they are ready for him to go more poerful meds but he has to do blood work every two weeks to watch his liver... cant do one thing without messing up another!!