Aspirin, Tylenol, Motrin ?

[TravisB]

Which of the above are least damaging to the liver?  I can't get a straight answer from my doctor.

[Belinda54]

Hep C is a huge scare.  I am 54 and evendently have had hep c since the 1970"s  but drs. just found it and my type 2 diabiates in 2003. I drink beer and take some pain meds and I have some stomach pain. I also have Raynaud's disease which keeps my hads red, etc. 24/7 Just would love for someone to relate to me that have some of these problems as I really have NO ONE that understands my illnesses!  Concerned, Belinda in Arkansas

[wantalivlong]

"Aspirin, Tylenol, Motrin ?"

And the final answer is?  (one word please)

[rowk]

Being treated by the VA for my hep c (geno type 1, stage 3) and at 10 months of taking one shot a week and 6 pills a day I'm looking forward to the end.

I was lucky in the fact that neither the disease nor the treatment has had any great effects, I've continued to ride my bicycle to work 4 times a  week (20 miles/day) thru the therapy and partially contribute my well being to a year of supplements before I startred treatment (and hydration @ 12 8oz. glasses of water a day)

I've also never been given a real clear explanation on what is least intrusive on the liver in the form of pain relieve, but the drug company who produces the interferon I use suggest acetaminophen only (never to exceed recommended dosage). I take two acetaminophen tabs a week (after my shot).

[cindee]

Mike....WOW I think I do need to go to sleep!!!! I have hit some buttons and I don't even know how.....but I did want to finish by saying...I hope your Birthday was a Happy one!!!!! YOU deserve the BEST!!!!! Much love @ prayers, Cindee

Amerabrit....3 posts later...cuz' all were full!!!!! It couldn't be brain fog w/ the make-up!!!!! You remembered after having done the same thing in 1990????????? There's nothing w/ YOUR memory !!!!!!!! I've been trying to think of the craziest thing I did on 1st tx......and I'm sure I did a bunch....now that's what ya call, as Kim (Eyedeas) says..."BRAIN PHOG"!!!!! LOL Please keep me laughing, you're a "hoot"!!!!!!! Much love @ many prayers, Cindee

[cindee]

MIKE!!!!! Finally It took me 3 posts to get to ruin your b.day, but here goes!!!!!!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU! HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU!!!! HAPPY BIRTHDAY MIKESIMON,....HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU!!!!!!

[layla]

Hi there. Sorry to see your sx took so long to go away but glad you are finally feeling better.  LL

[TravisB]

Thanks for the helpful answers.  Isn't it amazing though that we can't get a straight answer to that simple question from the doctors and researchers?  I mean we are talking about drugs not some abstract theories.  You'd think they'd be able to run the tests necessary to determine which of the drugs are best for us to take.  Good luck to all.

Galen:  Although I didn't clear, I've managed to reduce the severity of all of the symptoms with some homeopathic drugs and a few Chineese herbs.  My alts have gone from 120 at the time I relapsed to 37 last week which is almost normal according to my HMO( They lowered normal from 40 to 36 as of 1-04.) My energy is often 95% and even on bad days it's 80%.  My headaches are way diminished so all in all I'm doing much better than I was at this time last year and very thankful for it.  

No, I am not considering re-treatment because of the low odds the second time around and the fairly long term after effects I experienced.  I'm glad I did it if for no other reason than to try the most likely route to a cure.  I just wasn't one of the lucky ones. I'm happy for you that you made it through successfully.  You and everyone else one this board deserves to be cured and rid of this scourge.   How are you feeling?  More health than before TX?  Take good care.  

[GOERGE]

My doctor warn of using Tylenol. He said it is very bad for the liver.

[CARUU]

Thanks for the information about your friend's experience with fibromyalgia.  This all sounds very familiar to me.  I've had several surgeries.  One was particularly traumatic (Colon CA that was discovered during emergency surgery, blood transfusion... probable cause of HCV).  Follow up surgery to have all but 30 cm of colon removed.  Foot and gallbladder surgery. Trapezius atrophy, hearing loss in one ear, and more.  I have some loss of ulnar nerve function, tingling in hand, myofacial pain all over body, trigger point pain in more than 11 of the 18 predetermined FS spots. Morning stiffness, trouble falling asleep, etc.  I've been searching for answers for years and don't want to self diagnose, but like I said, this sounds really familiar.  I'm already taking sleep, depression, anxiety and gastroparesis meds.  I think consistent mild exercise and improved diet are going to be my next steps.  Both were hard to maintain during tx.  Again, thanks to all for the helpful information.  caruu

[twotells]

Thanks for your support and well wishes.  I had two rides last week (Thurs and Fri when I'm feeling the best- before the weekly shot) and I felt really good.  I always felt my mood elevated from riding in the past- it must be the cardio workout that benefits the mood.

I hope you're doing well also.  If you ever want to send me an email, my address is ***@****.  Take care,  Dave

[cuteus]

What a huge blessing that his recovery is having the best possible outcome. have you heard from the poet? hope he is ok.

[twotells]

Some anti-depressants (the class called 'tri-cyclics' such as Elavil) can be helpful for chronic pain.  These are an older type of anti-depressant and have more sides than the newer SSRI's.  They were never suggested for me, but a former coworker who is a nurse swore by it for her chronic back pain.  There is an excellent CME activity available on Medscape.com on Neuropathic pain which also mentions it.  Anyone interested in Neuropathic pain management can log onto Medscape and enter 'neuropathic pain' for this.

My heart goes out to anyone with chronic pain,  Dave

[Galen]

Hey guy, how are you?  Long time, no see.  Are you going to treat again.  I had wondered how you were faring.  I finished up in Sept '03 and so far, so good.  I know how lucky I am and wish the same for you.
Galen

[cuteus]

That is very useful info, I never heard of the phenomenom.   let us know if there is a site on that.  The CTS and ulnar damge was dx in my case also, wonder if hcv triggered it.  the ulnar discomfort stems from the elbow, radiates down to the outer hand and might affect the pinky. CTS seem to affect the middle finger and basal thumb joint.   i hope caruu gets  some answers on his condition.  TY, again.   is your brother in rehab or is he home yet?

[twotells]

I thought I remembered seeing something on ibuprophen (advil):

"Ibuprofen-Induced Hepatotoxicity in Patients With Chronic Hepatitis C
ABSTRACT
Hepatitis C is a common chronic infection. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are commonly ingested both over-the-counter and by prescription. This case report describes three cases where ibuprofen use leads to a marked rise in hepatic transaminases with one case repeating on rechallenge. These cases support the recommendation of acetaminophen over nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug use in patients with chronic hepatitis C. (Am J Gastroenterol 1998; 93:1563-1565)"

I can't take NSAIDS due to allergic reactions (stomach problems, ear ringing, and rash) and have decided to avoid acetamenophen (tylenol) although under 2000mg per day is generally considered safe.  In my case, I have chronic moderate to severe pain from neuropathy for which I take 15mg oxycodone and 1200mg neurontin per day.  Apparently, both of these are safe for the liver.  Neurontin is an anti-seizure drug which is good for neuropathic pain.  Oxycodone is a narcotic and avoided by physicians for it's abuse potential.  This combo is a godsend for people with neuropathic pain- basically pain from nerve damage.

This question about NSAIDS vs Tylenol is a good one, but confusing- hope I haven't made it more so.  Dave

[snook_man]

If you do a search, for Dr. Schiff at the Schiff Liver Institute in Miami, You will find an answer for tylenol. They have proven direct link with tylenol to liver disease, and liver damage. Also the antibiotic Augmentin.My Dr. told me to take Advil. An overdose of tylenol can cause immediate liver failure in some, and only antidote is the supplement NAC.

[cuteus]

Is brain fog contagious? I noticed my 15 yr old daughter forgetting quite a few things lately, she was looking yesterday for one of two pencil sharpeners she can't find, her Tarot cards book and something else I CAN'T remember, all the time asking ME if I remember seeing them,  haahh! I felt like I was looking in a mirror!

Honey. yes i am on 1000mg riba, about 133 lbs. forgetting to take the night pills lately....
i take 2 in the am and 3 in pm, i noticed gonagetbetter is taking them  the opposite way. I wonder if I forgot the original instructions and have been doing it wrong for almost 50 wks...hee hee.

[Plutonium-kid]

Hi Travisb,
All of the specified drugs are toxic above an optimum level. You must avoid that level as much as possible.
There's no SAFE DRUG, yet.
ASPIRIN & MOTRIN are known as NSAID (nonsteroidal antinflammatory drugs) which are hard for the liver to detox.
Tylenol becomes toxic when you exceed the 2.5 gm/day=4-5 Tabs/day dosage. Children in particular are very sinsetive to Tylenol OD & many cases have been documented.
Stay Well & minimize your drug consumption.
Good Luck
....the KID

[TnHepGuy_]

Oral health of patients with hepatitis C virus infection: a pilot study.

Henderson L, Muir M, Mills PR, Spence E, Fox R, McCruden EA, Bagg J.

Infection Research Group, University of Glasgow, Dental School, UK.

OBJECTIVES: This study examined the oral health of a cohort of hepatitis C virus (HCV) patients. In particular, the prevalence of lichen planus and xerostomia were determined. Experiences of discrimination against HCV-infected patients by their dentists were also recorded. METHODS: Forty patients infected with HCV, who were not undergoing anti-viral treatment, were examined. Patient information collected included demographic details together with patients' perception of their oral health and access to dental care since being diagnosed with hepatitis C. Both extra-oral and intra-oral examinations were conducted. Teeth present and visible caries were recorded, periodontal condition was measured using a Community Periodontal Index of Treatment Need (CPITN) probe and denture fit and hygiene were assessed where appropriate. The soft tissues were examined and lichen planus diagnosed clinically. Salivary flow rates were estimated by the Salivette system. RESULTS: The oral health of this cohort was poor. Eight patients had clinical evidence of oral lichen planus (OLP), although this was not confirmed histologically. The salivary flow rates were significantly lower (P < 0.001) than in previously reported healthy controls. Of the 15 (37.5%) regular dental attenders, two had encountered problems accessing dental care. CONCLUSIONS: Chronic hepatitis C patients have significant oral health needs. More effective oral health education is required for both HCV-infected patients and their carers, including dental practitioners.

PMID: 12117200 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=12117200&dopt=Abstract


TnHepGuy

[cuteus]

I came accross this in one of my search moods; I have had an  unexplained  increasing number of cavities for years now and maybe...this is some explanation. could not get the url through Safari; but here is the name of the abstract and authors: Oral health of patients with hepatitis c virus infection: a pilot study. by Henderson, L;Muir M, Mills PR, Spence E, Fox R, McCruden EA, Bagg J (university of Glasgow, Dental School, UK

[honey1616]

Hey there....How ya been doing?  My dr. says no tylenol,,ibuprofen only so who knows the real answer.  I would probably say whatever works for you to kick out headache, pain etc but just use on a have to basis!

[cuteus]

Tylenol does little for me, so I take ibuprofen.  Drs can't tell you because they don't know for sure either.

Friscosue: people post addresses to other sites all the time, please feel free to give the website you mentioned in the other post, We are open to knowledge. I used to read and keep with me "Back to Eden" that proclaimed good results with herbs and such, anything is possible. I am game for reading. TY