I was diagnosed with AIH in January of 2002. I am now 23 years old and I am sure that I have arthritis.

I have always had problems with my fingers and my wrists due to being a typist. But over the past year, those problems have increased and have moved to my elbows, knees, hips and toes. My knees right now are my main concern. I have been almost bed-ridden for the past 2 weeks and I can't seem to put any weight on my knee or extend it fully.

I just had a liver biopsy earlier this week and my GI said that after he gets my results he wants to take blood tests to check my rhumetoid levels.

I am just curious on whether or not rhumetoid arthritis is a common occurance with Autoimmune Chronic Active Hep and what is the best way to either numb the pain or a quick fix. Exercising right now is not an option right now because of my lack of mobility and so if anyone can give me an idea on how long this "arthritic episode" should last until I am able to build the muscle around my knee, it would be much appreciated. Or, of course, any other advice you can provide.


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7cm cyst on spleen
Autoimmune Chronic Active Hepititis
Epilepsy w/Temporal Lobe Seizures
Kidney Infection
mild arthritis
goiter on thyroid
inflamed liver
I'm 23 and I'm falling apart! Advice???

Amanda,
I am 41 and was just diagnosed with AIH on Jan 6th. I was diagnosed with systemic lupus in 1996. Any time you have one autoimmune system disorder you are at a higher risk to have others.

I think there may be one or two members who have both AIH and rheumatoid arthritis. I know there are at least 2 or 3 who have both lupus and AIH besides me.

As for a quick fix, I'm not sure there are any. However, prednisone is helpful with lupus and RA. Are you currently on prednisone for AIH? If so, what dose are you on? If you are not currently on prednisone for AIH, maybe your doctor would prescribe a short term of prednisone to help with the joint pain. I have had good results from the medrol dose pack during lupus flares. Prior to being diagnosed with AIH, I was one of the lucky ones with lupus since I was able to avoid steriods other than short term 2-3 times a year.

Hope things are better for you soon.
Karen W

[Karen, please read and follow the board posting guidelines.
Other groups are not allowed to be posted here.]

[This message has been edited by moderator2 (edited 02-02-2003).]

Hi Karen. Thanks for reply! I am already on Prednisone. January of 2002, I started with 40mg of Prednisone, I have been reduced on a gradual basis and am not on 10mg of the horrible drug. I know it means well and it fixes things, but the side effects are horrible.

I am getting the results of my biopsy this upcoming Friday and he is going to want to take blood to see about the rhumetoid arthritis.

I'll let you know how it goes.

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7cm cyst on spleen
Autoimmune Chronic Active Hepititis
Epilepsy w/Temporal Lobe Seizures
Kidney Infection
mild arthritis
goiter on thyroid
inflamed liver
I'm 23 and I'm falling apart! Advice???

It's been awhile since this was posted. Was it arthritis? Maybe it could be Fibro Myalga.