NASH Journey

January 9, 2023 At month 5 visit, Earl's weight was down to 179 lbs.  Semaglutide was increased again to 1.0mg every week. Blood sugars remain stable with one low episode at 62.  He still reports feeling full and forgetting to eat. I have been reminding him to eat and his appetite is much smaller than it used to be. The trial combines the injection with the oral meds to study the effects of weight loss on the liver alone and/or in combination. We aren't sure about the oral meds but we do believe the Semaglutide is not a placebo. Earl reports a metallic taste after the injections and his weight loss suggests the real thing. Next clinic appointment Feb. 6 2023.

December 5, 2022.  I've been giving Earl the injections every Monday and he's taking the daily oral meds. It was decided by the clinic doctor and staff to increase his dose of Semiglutide based on stable blood sugars and weight. He's now getting .50mg every week. Blood sugars have been ranging from 110 to 180 with one random low at 67. His weight is down to 182. He reports no adverse effects other than feeling full halfway through meals. He gets a doctor exam every month and a phone call. Blood pressure and pulse have all been within normal limits. Next visit is January 9. 

November 14, 2022 First thing on the clinical trial agenda is physical exam with initial parameters. Weight and waist circumference were noted. Earl started with a weight of 186.5. The trial was explained as a blind trial. No one in the clinic is aware whether the trial drugs are the real thing or placebo. We were given instruction on injection and oral med. The injection is Semiglutide. We were instructed about the dosing diary. the beginning dose was .24mg. This is to be given once a week for 4 weeks. We started on a Monday. The oral meds are Cilofexor/Firsocostat 30mg/20mg. No adverse effects noted so far. I'm tracking Earl's weight, vitals and blood sugars to be sure all is ok with him.  

September 20, 2022 Earl and I begin this journey with some hope that we can find a way to control the effects of his NASH, which is a liver disease which we believe was caused by a childhood case of hepatitis.  This is an acronym for non alcoholic steatotic hepatitis which is a chronic inflammation of the liver. He is at stage 4. Next would be liver failure.  We entered the world of clinical trial with a visit to the Sierra Clinic. From this visit we were sent to various diagnostic appointments to assess his acceptance into the study. first was an ultrasound then a liver biopsy on October 18.   Earl passed all the criteria and was accepted into the program in November 2022.