What are the odds...

[Decisions]

...of liver or kidney damage given the amount of Norco I have taken over the past 5 years?
I took on average 4,000mg with the vicodin, and/or Norco during most of that "run".  In the past few months, that went up to around 6-8,000 mg per day.

I don't drink or do any other drugs.  Never have.  Ok, I do have a drink a few times a year.

I know that no one can answer this definitively, but I am hoping I haven't damaged myself beyond the mental, and w/d symptoms.

Thanks...

[Decisions]

Sorry, I meant to post this in the Drugs, Withdrawal section.
Sorry.

[bmc1976]

More than likely you are just fine. I had a stretch to where I was taking more than 12,000 mg per day. I had a liver function test and everything came back fine. I would definitely get a test done though. It's just a simple blood test.

[theeagle]

Do as bmc said and get a liver test. Simple blood draw for elevated enzymes. I doubt that you have damaged your liver - I did, but I was doing more for a longer period of time.

[Decisions]

I heard the kidneys can be effected too.  I am not sure which I am more worried about.

[Decisions]

What are the symptoms of your liver damage?
Obviously it didn't kill you...

Can you elaborate?

Thanks...

[theeagle]

The liver damage would normally come first......for peace of mind tell your Doc that you also want to check out renal......

[Decisions]

ok, thanks...

[Decisions]

I am hoping that not drinking much alcohol will play in my favor.

[theeagle]

Not drinking alcohol is a huge one in your favor.....liver symptoms are really quite mild in the beginning. Generally detected through an abnormal blood test - as they were with me - later symptoms would be jaundice, fatigue, malaise, all the way to possible liver tenderness when palpitated. You really should be in pretty good shape, but get the tests done for your own peace of mind.

[Decisions]

thanks, I will at my next DR. visit.
I am scheduled to see him soon.


From what you are saying, it sounds like it is progressive.   I assume once completely stopped taking, that the damage would stop too.  

[theeagle]

Not only will the damage stop, but the liver is a remarkable organ - it will even regenerate. That is why then can even do partial transplants now. Be good to yours.

[worried878]

I got a panel/bloodwork done after I quit and my liver was ok...i was a hydro user and the tylenol can mount up....a 5mg hydro has as much tylenol as a 10 mg hydro so i was always careful to get 10s if i could and not 5s or 7.5s...and i am a light drinker...no probs...and i was relieved...the liver does adjust somewhat after using..sad but true...not something to depend on tho...someone who did not use could never tolerate the amount of tylenol many of us took each day...get it checked to feel safe

[cocobeanlisa]

I know that I was really scared, at the end I was taking 40 to 50 Norco 10/325's
and that's alot of tylenol.

One main reason I stopped was that they found blood in my urine, and I had to go
into the hospital for a liver biopsy. I am thankful it can back okay, I was hoping that
after I stopped the pills the blood go away.

I just had my yearly physical so I waiting for the results.  I am also grateful that I did not
do so serious damage to my kidney/liver.  With the amount I was taking it's a miracle.

I guess that saying that GOD protects Drunks and folls is true.

cocobean