Q. I am wondering if my recently diagnosed liver disease can be related to the AIH(Auto Immune Hepatitis). My liver biopsy said cirrhosis. I have never drank alcohol. Or could it be from the years of medicines for BPD,PTSD etc. I guess my real question is can years and years of stress, trauma, abuse as child mess up your immune system and cause liver disease? Is BPD truly a neurological/chemical problem?
2nd question: Is it fair to discriminate against people with BPD, PTSD, Depression and Bulimia when it comes to screening for a liver transplant. My Hepatologist said my chances would be slim.
A. While the medications may have contributed, the stress of life, neurotransmitters, etc. likely played a greater role. Your neurotransmitters have receptor sites on the immune system's white blood cells - so clearly moods affect the immune system. Auto-immune hepatitis means the body - for whatever reason - now perceives the liver as foreign tissue.
Yes, the BPD is primarily a neurological/chemical problem that causes enormous emotional damage, not the other way around.
You may want to look into the herb "Milk Thistle" for treating your liver problems, and DHEA. DHEA has helped lupus. I'm not aware of any literature on AIH in this regard. Low fat diets improve MS as well. Anxiety, hostility, repressed emotions, and depression all increase the risk of viral infections, cancer, heart disease, arthritis and cancer - and many of these disorders are due to impairment of the immune system. Part of the point is to become as healthy as you can to allow your own body to do it's job regarding healing. I strongly encourage you to read "Spontaneous Healing" by Dr. Andrew Weil, and follow his advice about self-healing.
I don't suspect the transplantation authorities discriminate against most of those diagnoses, but they do look for recipients with the highest possible rate of success. Chronically depressed individuals - particularly those with self-destructive behaviors - are less likely to be successful statistically. In a medical arena with high costs, high stakes, and limited donor organs, the powers that be will always look for those with the highest chances of success.