Abdominal issues. Due to acetaminophen overload?

[Ladykonnie]

Have any of you experienced stomach issues while you were on Vicodin? Any of you experience liver failure, or abdominal pain? I know only doctors can answer medical questions, and I set up an appt already, but I need to know if any of you experience liver failure, gallbladder issues etc. while you were on the drug?  I have not taken anything with acetaminophen  in sometime, but I am thinking the damage is done already from years of taking them. My blood work was normal, but I do not know..... Guess I will find out in a couple of weeks. Any stories you share will help me.  I'm hurting myself with negative thoughts.

[Ladykonnie]

Thank you all! I go to doctor tomorrow. It is the first appointment for this issue so he might just request the lab work and ultrasound.  Your prayers mean more to me than words can say.

[gnarly_1]

Good post Acting I learn something new every day.
........................................Gnarly..........................

[ActingBrandNew]

Liver Function Test do not correctly show the status of ones liver. You can have full blown liver disease and have normal liver enzymes. I'm speaking from experience. If you want to know more just click on my profile and you will see what Ive dealt with.

There are 2 tests you can ask your doctor for that will let you know the true state of your liver. You dont need both...just one will suffice. One is called the FibroSure which is a blood test that will check for Fibrosis (Liver scarring, cirrhosis) and the other is called the FibroScan which is a machine that checks for the same thing through a scanning process. The FibroScan is only available at big city hospitals whereas the FibroSure is available at most all labs.

Good luck

[selfinduced]

Hey Lady,Congrats on your desire to be free. No doubt our liver's take a beating on these meds and especially the ones with acetaminophen. My blood work also came out normal on the liver screen but low and behold an unrelated cat scan showed an enlarged liver. Actually it was a blessing an added another reason to stay clean. The Dr. said to be on notice from now on cause once the blood work confirms the c/t, it's an issue. Keep up the good work!

[Ladykonnie]

They did blood work four months ago and they said I was fine but after doing research I found out sometimes liver issues don't come out in lab work. So yes I am going yo request a good ultrasound, and cat scan it needed. I will keep you all posted.

[gnarly_1]

Hi if you have insurance go to your doctor and be honest ask him to do a liver panel I took a lot of it to but you got me beat best off to be safe then sorry abdominal problems are a sigh of liver problems  the drugs will mask it..let us know what the doctor says.........Gnarly

[Ladykonnie]

Thank you!!! Last night , I suffered from an episode of restless leg syndrome. I took benzos to sleep, not much 5 mg of  V , well it happened, it wore off about 3 am and I woke up with a weird feeling in my ear(left side) and my legs kicking.  Tapering is still withdrawing, just less.  

Thank you for for answering me! I appreciate your response. Will keep you posted when I see the doctor. I'm scared,  I took a lot of acetaminophen about 30 pills a day with 7.5 of the other stuff.  I know is a miracle I'm still alive. Hope you continue feeling ok, and please continue staying sober, your posts are SO good to read!!!! You are SO sweet. Yet strong!!!!

[spider6]

Hi there, I understand about the concern with acetaminophen toxicity.  I'm sure I was poisoned repeatedly as a result of it.  As far as acetaminophen, I was taking over 16,000 mg a day, NO that's not a typo....I'm embarrassed to say what I was doing but I swear on my children's lives that I took OVER 10 325mg acetaminophen with 8 f*cking lousy mg codeine in each! at least 5 times a day.  That's calculating in the low end.  I'm euchhhk so ridiculous I can hardly comprehend my actions.  Anyway yes...YES...F*CKING YES!....I was having abdominal issues, bowel issues, not certain, but how could I NOT have liver issues.  Just haven't had it checked out yet.  The bowel issues were what really scared me this time round.  Did I mention that I've being doing this among other substances for 27 yrs. (off and on, mostly on).

Gonna be a little graphic here but I really couldn't keep anything in me.  What I eliminated one day seemed to always be much more than I took in the day before.  Not only that but it was getting to the point where some days I could hardly make it to the toilet.  That really scared me.....I thought omg, I'll never be able  to leave my house again.  I was very sick and 92pounds and dizzy and slurry...omg I don't know how I'm still here.

I don't know how this will help you but I want you to know that I am very lucky and obvy blessed for whatever reason to be able to tell you my pathetic little so very unglamorous story.  I have tried to get off pills many many times and this is the longest I've ever gone without being pregnant at being substance free.  It's been 8 mos. and quite honestly it's only been the last couple of months that my bowels have been remotely what I would call normal.
I know we weren't taking the same thing but acetaminophen is acetaminophen.

I have been following your journey and sending out prayers of hope and strength.  Bless and hugs chicky.