Hi
Someone has mentioned before the Biopsy you can be given drugs, what are these. they have mentioned I may have AiH and are suggesting steriods is this the only treatment. what are the side effects I am worried about the weight can- can anything prevent or reduce this, does it affect the menstrual cycle. I am studying at the moment and worried steroids may affect my performance.
Biopsies are usually done under a simple local aneasthetic just really to numb the skin where they go in. You don't really feel anything when they take the actual samples, you just hear a bit of a click as they take it. They'll probably only take 2 or 3 samples at most.
You may get a little bit of referred pain in your shoulder afterwards but a couple of paracetamol is more than adequate to deal with that and it doesn't tend to last that long.
I'm not aware of any other medication they would give before. There isn't really much need in my experience.
I didn't have AIH so can't really comment on treatments. I know it does respond well to steroids but what dose they would give and for how long I dont know. There are though other people on here with AIH so I'm sure they'll be able to answer your question about that better than I could. I doubt they would affect your performance with your studies though.
Tg
Thank you, I'll ear this in mind, you have put me at ease
Thanks for the response- you have put me at ease.
Hi Jazzgirl, if you do Facebook at all, there is a fantastic AIH support group on there with almost 3000 members all of whom either have AIH or are supporting loved ones with the condition. Group is supported by some of the top doctors in the UK who are working in the field of AIH treatment and research.If you join there you will be able to discuss the whole AIH journey and options for medication. There are different steroids - prednisolone is the usual go to but as you've read it isn't without it's side effects but there is an alternative called budesonide which has slightly less side effects. it depends on the state of the liver as to whether this is an available treatment.
You'll find the group at:- facebook.com/groups/AIHorgUK (It's a private group so no one else on your feed sees what you are posting there).
All the best, Katie
Thanks Kate
Hi,
Here is our information on liver biopsy;
britishlivertrust.org.uk/in...
and also our information on AIH;
britishlivertrust.org.uk/in...
Maybe you can make a list of your concerns so when you see your liver team they will be able to answer them?
Best wishes.
Thank you I will endeavour to do that
Steroids don't actually make you gain weight on their own. Unfortunately, they can increase your appetite massively (leading to weight gain). When I was first diagnosed with AIH, I would feel hungry straight after eating. I was really strict & ignored the hunger pangs (which were painful) and did not gain any weight. I just ate the same as I did before the steroids. Ever since then, whenever they put me on steroids, I have never had the hunger pangs again, so it was worth toughing it out (and I took steroids for the first 9 months after diagnosis).
If you are diagnosed with AIH, then steroids are the first treatment they give you(a response to the steroids confirms the diagnosis). As your liver function blood results improve, then they will reduce the steroids and introduce another drug, usually azathioprine(but there are others). I'm not aware of steroids affecting your cycle, but it is best to discuss these concerns with your doc.
As Kristian said above, they don't give drugs before biopsy, just local anaesthetic, because it should be over very quickly.
If you want to know more, you can always PM me if you get diagnosed. It can be overwhelming at first. Fingers crossed things go well for you 
Oh thank you so much for a very detailed response. This will enable me to make an informed decision. My consultant has decided to try me on steroids for a month to see if I respond then I will go for the biospy if there is no marked improvement.
I hope the steroids work & you are welcome. It can be overwhelming at first. Good luck.
I have AIH and was put on Budesonide and Azathioprine at Xmas. Over quite a short period of time my steroids have been drastically reduced and my Aza increased. My blood tests showed an improvement really quickly and now all my levels are normal. I'm now on a small dose of steroids. I had some weight gain but not a huge amount and no troublesome side effects. Good luck with the biopsy.
I asked at budescinide, but the consultant said its too early for that, when my Alt is reduced then he will consider it. Is this usual?
Hi,I have just been diagnosed with AIH 5 weeks ago.I have been put on Prednisolone and have to reduce them 5mg a month for 6 months.I am getting introduced to Azathioprine in 2 or 3 weeks time.My appetite is bigger I have to say but my energy levels are too so it is balancing itself out.If you take codeine tell the person that gives you the local anesthetic as it turns to morphine in the liver and your body becomes accustomed to it so you need more local anesthetic. I was told about maybe getting a sore shoulder but luckily never got that.My AIH is connected to me having Ulcerative colitis 12 years ago and never knew I had that either.My bowel perforated after having 2 weeks of severe stomach pains. I hope you are okay,I am frightened too.It's the unknown. I only went to the doctors with indigestion after being really sick one night which was unusual for me,I told the doctor I was not wanting things to go from 0-20 after what happened with my bowel and thankfully he done blood tests and 3 months later I have the AIH results. I had never heard of this illness but I am learning every day.Everbody is different but what works for some people,might not work for others.I suppose it's all trial and error but it is good to talk.Stay safe and try not to be away in front of yourself.Enjoy each day as it comes.I have just watched my husband come throught a quadruple bypass in August where we didn't know if he was going to live or die so it has helped me get things into prospective,life is too short darlin,enjoy each and every day.xxx
Thank you for your uplifting message. I needed this as it puts everything into perspective. I'm glad your husband has come through this. I'm glad your OK and things are improving for you. Keep up the positivity, it's infectious😊. Keep in touch
In the states, liver biopsies are done under general anesthesia and you remain in outpatient care laying still for about 4 hours afterward. I remember slight pain to the shoulder then returning to work in a day. My biopsy showed definite AIH with presumed PBC (I already had a positive test for AMA). My doctor felt it was too early to start me on medication because my LFTS were only slightly elevated. After 5 years passed, he kept dismissing me about my fatigue , my inquiry to try meds and overall feeling unwell. I'm now with another medical team and unfortunately should have been prescribed meds to hold back progression. Please try suggested meds and don't be too concerned with weight gain. Take good care of yourself, eat well, and skip the alcohol if you drink.
Thanks so much for your uplifting advice. Have a Great day! What state are you in?
I'm in the north GA area. And you?
Your biopsy could be negative for AIH, don't forget that possibility! I was told I had it, based on blood tests, but my biopsy was negative for AIH. I do have a different autoimmune liver disease, but don't take steroids for it. Best wishes, hope it goes well for you xx
Thanks for the insight
Very new and very confused
Very very worried, GGT and alp very high 
Feeling anxious
Feeling Anxious about possible cirrhosis 
Advice needed for very confused newbie.
