Annual update, DNA testing, Gastric Bypass, Fungal Skin Infection, Brittle Nails, Looking for GI doc

[Cooper6]

So almost a year has gone by, now I am headed into being 47, still struggling with Dupuytrens in my right hand, but had the cataract surgery and things are looking "brighter" LOL.

I recently did my DNA through 23 and Me, did not tell me much healthwise, but I did find out that I am 83% Irish and English, 10% French/German, 6% Scandinavian, so fit the profile for PBC there for sure. I did get a lot of health info from the test but the issues I have are not currently part of the testing, hopefully, in the future they will be able to narrow down on the genetic links that contribute to the health issue we suffer from.

Something I was thinking about as I was reading through what I last posted, I had elevated Alk Phos all the way up till I had gastric bypass surgery in December of 2012, I am 7 years out from that procedure and doing pretty well with my weight. I will say that it was the recommendation of my GI doc to have the surgery, for liver issues to include the NAFLD, and since having the surgery my alk phos while remaining on the high side, usually runs between 120 and 140 has been stable for years (except for the pancreatitis episode in 2015, then it was out of control).

It is interesting that having Gastric Bypass affected my alk phos levels the way that it has. Biopsies of my liver all come back NAFLD so there is no change there.

Still not on URSO but thankfully have not experienced the generalized puritis since 2010. I did have a biopsy on my arm this past year, concern for skin cancer but the biopsy revealed a fungal infection deep under my skin. I took Lamisil orally for a month which is not a friend to your liver and sadly I have not followed up on my liver test, guess I am scared of what it will say. The itching on that arm is under control finally.

Nails still really brittle and unhealthy but not splitting so there is that. I am on the hunt for a new GI doctor otherwise just chugging along.

[danaLL]

Please reach out to me personally. I think we have a lot of notes to compare. [e-mail]

[butterflyEi]

Two lovely photos of you.

Good luck finding your new GI hopefully he can come to your conditions with a fresh eye. Have you ever had your vitamins levels checked? Since getting a diagnosis of low zinc and vitamin D and needing B12 for pernicious anaemia I have found the addition of these vitamins has balanced the way I feel. My nails are the best they have been through the whole of my life (now in upper 60s)

Wishing you and yours the compliments of this festive season

[4pjx__]

It's really good to hear from you. Sounds like your healthcare situation has been nearly a full time job! 😉 There's a pretty good GI doctor that specializes in liver stuff at Sky Ridge up in Lone Tree. My PC doctor recommended him to me but I have not seen him. I am okay with my GI and I do have hepatologist. If I was looking for a new one I would check him out but it could be too far for you to go. I am very glad to hear the biopsy was clear. The last thing you need is one more problem.

Merry Christmas

Pam

[Cooper6 in reply to 4pjx__]

Thanks!