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Hello, I just found this forum. Thank you all for sharing your stories.
I am a 38 year old male. I started to have severe anxiety about eight years ago and was later diagnosed with Generalized Anxiety Disorder and Panic Disorder.
Not long after that my doctor found fatty liver and said I was in the early stages of Diabetes. He attributed the liver problem to obesity and pretty much shrugged it off.
I later left him and started seeing a nurse practitioner who monitored my liver function very closely and referred me to an endocrinologist who diagnosed me with Thyroid Toxicosis.
Later, the nurse practitioner checked my iron levels and found them elevated. She referred me to The University of Virginia on the suspicion of Hemochromatosis. They performed a genetic test and a liver biopsy and found me clear of the disease. They agreed with the original diagnoses of fatty liver.
About two years later I left the nurse practitioner and began seeing a doctor. A few months ago he ordered a new ultra sound and found that my liver had enlarged. I mentioned to him the fact that I was sent to UVA on the suspicion of Hemochromatosis and was found clear. He ordered blood tests and found they were abnormal enough to refer me to a gastrointerologist (sp?).
They did a full screening and found that I do in fact have the disease after all. Fortunately it's still early enough for treatment, which I started last week, to be effective. The prognosis is excellent.
However, while they were checking for Hemochromatosis they also checked my copper. I have no idea what the actual results were, or even what they are supposed to be, but they were abnormal enough to suspect Wilson's. They next did a 24-hour urine sample and found those results abnormal as well.
Tomorrow morning I'm having another liver biopsy. I'm not too worried about the procedure itself since I already know what to expect, but I am worried sick about the results. This entire day has been one big anxiety attack.
I guess I don't really have any questions to ask, maybe because I'm afraid of the answers, but I needed an outlet to talk about what I'm feeling.
I want to say thanks to those who run this forum, and to the users who offer so much support. I have bookmarked this board and plan to visit often.
Thanks, Darrell
Posts: 2 | From: Richlands, Virginia | Registered: Aug 2006
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I just read your posting and just joined the group myself. You can read my story, it's titled, "Wilson, a ten year seach!"
I just wanted to check with you to see if you received your biopsy results back and to see if you are doing okay....
Let us know.
I really feel this is a great outlet in expressing your moment thoughts. Sometimes all this medical stuff can be extremely overwhelming.
-------------------- "Do not spoil what you have by desiring what you have not; but remember that what you now have was once among the things you only hoped for." -Epicurus Posts: 7 | From: Washington, DC | Registered: Sep 2006
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The biopsy went well. It confirmed Hemochromatosis but there was no evidence of Wilson's in my liver. I can't begin to tell you how relieved I was to hear that news. Something is causing my copper to be high though and they may have to send me to Duke to figure it out.
Posts: 2 | From: Richlands, Virginia | Registered: Aug 2006
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