Liver Damage from Vicodin. How much have others livers tolerated?

Hello,

I have been a chronic vicodin user for almost 5 years. My max was about 10 Norco for about 6 months but have used on and off for about 5 years, average 5 per day. I know that I have probably done permanent damage to my liver. I know I need to go get my liver checked but I am scared to death. For those people out there that have gotten tested, how much were you guys using and your liver still checked out ok???

I know everyone is different and Im not looking for answers just experiences from those that have taken large amounts of Vicodin and still had their livers check out ok?

Thank you all for your replies!

[this_big]

Ive been on hydro for a little over 4yrs up until 17 days ago i was up to15-20+ a day. My liver checked out fine. Just go get the blood test.Its simple. If the damage is done,it done. Are you still taking them? Everyone IS different.Theres alot of factors that also play into liver damage such as the amount of alcohol you consume.

[GoingToMakeIt]

If you took 10 of the 5/325 Norco, then you got 3250 mg of Tylenol. 4000 is considered the max. Do get your liver tested.

Hey and when you want to quit. That's what this forum is all about. We're just a bunch of quitters, wanting you to be one too. lol

[teddyk6501]

Yes, i agree. Everyone is different. I plowed handfulls of vics and percs for the last decade. Sometimes up to 120 in one weekend. Im not bragging...i am ashamed. But i have had my liver checked out and it is fine. There are some symptoms you can watch out for such as frequent urinating and fevers..coldsweats. You can google or easily find out more online. But i would not worry too much. Let me know about anything interesting you find out from whatever source you use!

[sunshine1109]

I was on pain meds for 10 years taking anywhere from 12 to 15 in the last years of my using, I have been clean 11 mths now and my liver has checked out fine.. Dont be scared just get the test and ease your mind...shine

[hopeimdone]

Thank you guys.  I am not totally off but not chronically using.  Hey, just being honet. I know you guys dont judge and I do want to get rid of this stuff for good. Just so scared about what I have dont to myself. So ashamed. My family has no idea and would be so confused if I had liver failure. I hate myself for doing this.

[avisg]

Getting your liver test checked is just a blood test even if you are taking less the 4000mg of apap your liver can also be affected by other things even social drinking .Go have it checked out good new is the live with time can heal itself there is a supplement called milk thistle it can help to repair some  damage if you have some

[GoingToMakeIt]

     I am glad you're thinking of quitting. I think most of us here have worried about our liver damage. The real damage is done to your body chemistry. It takes a long time to restore itself. Although quitting is hard. It is really the easy part. Staying clean, is the hard part. Get your self a plan to get clean, and some sort of aftercare to stay clean.

[hopeimdone]

Thank you for the words of encouragement. I guess you get so beat down with this stuff that the kindness on this board is amazing and overwhelming.  Truly, thank you for taking the time to give me your feedback.

[bmdad]

Although everyone is different I'm sure your liver is fine. Awhile back I was taking well over 12,000mg of acetaminophen a day and some days I was even closer to 18,000mg. I often vomited because of it. I knew I had to be hurting my body but didn't have the willpower at the time to quit. It was always, "I will stop tomorrow". It took awhile before my tomorrow came but it did. It can for you also. I took this amount almost every day for darn near a year. The only days I didn't take it was when I was prescribed oxycontin. But once it ran out from taking too many I would take vicodin and have to take so many just to keep the withdrawals at bay.  I thought for sure my liver would have been on the verge of failure. I too was nervous about going and getting it checked. I had to get some blood work done before a MRI and the also checked my liver unknowingly. The results came back fine and this was during active use. Everything was normal. I often wonder if one may day of using would have done me in. Even if you do have some liver damage, which I'm confident you don't, it will more than likely heal itself if you stop taking the norco. The liver is an amazing organ and can heal on it's own or with the help of meds if needed. Don't stress it but go and get it checked. It will help stop your worries.
Be sure to stick around and lean on us when you are ready to quit. We will walk you through the withdrawal process every step of the way!
Best of luck!

Brian

[GoingToMakeIt]

    You are so lucky that your liver didn't just shut down. I'm glad you survived it. Doses like that with alcohol are how some die on purpose. It's good to see you posting, with that work schedule of yours.

[Htownnofrown]

The liver is quite tough but you ought to get checked just to be sure.

[bmdad]

My has slowed down so I'm off for awhile. Work slows down in the summer.
Luckily I have never been much of a drinker. I can't even tell you the last time I had even a sip of beer. I can guarantee if I was a drinker I wouldn't be here right now! Someone up above is looking out for me! I'm just glad I got my back pain under control and also my life. Never again will I put my body through that!

[narla]

I was abusing codeine for 20 years and alcohol for 34 years,my liver was being damaged and it is the reason I quit,My liver enzymes tripled in less than 2 years, the liver is amazing I was lucky we caught it in time and now my liver has repaired itself,but I have been told if I abuse alcohol and codeine again the next time it probably won't repair itself.

Denise

[vicki595]

Hi there-  This is an older thread and your post may get overlooked or not get the attention you would like it to have...

If I could suggest this: Go back to the forum and click on "post a question".
Then you will have the opportunity to share your story on your very own thread!