"Premature discharge"

I was treated in the CAT unit after significantly elevated ALT levels (over 2000). I was diagnosed with Hepatitis which they believed was caused by the Epstein-Barr Virus. I was monitored as a day patient for several weeks and was advised to rest, with the reassurances that my ALT levels would reduce without medication. I was discharged back to my GP with my ALT levels now at 200. Reassured by this, I returned to work. 

A week after discharge, I was sent a letter asking me to return to Harrogate for a further blood test. After approx 10 days of worrying I rang the CAT unit to chase up my blood results (my GP had not been sent these). The individual answering my call queried why I was ringing them as I had been discharged. After a search, my blood results were found and I was eventually told I was being referred to Hepatology with no explanation. I was really frightened as were my family, it was now early November and I had been unwell since August so we knew something was really not right.   

In the meantime, I was feeling increasingly unwell. After fainting whilst in the shops, I was persuaded by my family to attend A&E in Harrogate. The care I received here was good, however my bloods were beginning to show my ALT levels were rising slightly again. My GP advised my to again take time off work, I had no idea when I would be able to return. 

I contacted Harrogate to arrange an appointment with the Hepatologist, they could not tell me when I'd be seen but said it wouldn't be until the new year. I started to explore going private as I knew something was wrong but felt powerless, I booked a consultation. Meanwhile, my GP sent me for a blood test to once again measure my ALT levels. Later this evening I received a call asking me immediately go to hospital. 

The GP had spoken to Harrogate CAT unit and suggested I return there. I did not feel confident to return to Harrogate after the issues with 1) not receiving my blood test and 2) after having spotted on my discharge letter that an abnormality had been detected (smooth muscle cell antibody) but not investigated further. Further, I knew I had been ill from August-present (now the end of November) with no definite answer.

I requested to go to St James's as it is a larger teaching hospital, I was admitted. After further scans and a liver biopsy it was confirmed that I has Autoimmune Hepatitis. I was told that I needed urgent treatment (steroids and immunosupressants) and without this my liver would have further deteriorated, putting me at risk of needing a transplant. 

I appreciate diagnosis is complex, and that my case was particularly mysterious. However, with my ALT levels still high, the detection of abnormality, and no clear explanation, I should not have been discharged back to my GP. I felt dismissed and irrelevant, I knew something was wrong but did not have the power to do anything about it. I am grateful that I had the means to consider private healthcare, however it shouldn't have come to this in the first place. I am writing this for those others who may not have the means. I thank those who treated me kindly during my time at the CAT unit in Harrogate.

I am writing this