Liver Cancer in the family

I had a test done on my liver 2 weeks ago by my pain managment doctor. I had a spinal fusion done in 1975 and left with residual pain so I have been ingesting Vicodin for some time now.
I always make sure I take it with food in my tummy!!
Anyhow My result were called in to me today and they tell me
my ALT (SGPT) is (57)-High,
my Alkaline Phosphatase is 163-High
myLymphocytes (abs value)- 3.8
my Platelet count- 404- High

What does this mean, I went my primary physician and she requested more blood work done, testing my thyroid etc.
I was asked of a healing fracture or if I had a fracture recently?
I told them yes I did have a total hip replacement done in 2002 and the first repair in 2002 of Nov. failed it did not take.
I spent several months with a fractured hip because I could not  get in on the surgery schedule and because the Ortho Dr. wanted to wait and see if it healed by itself. I am 51 years old.
My sister was diagnosed with liver cancer and was given 6 months to a year to live. It started in the colon, the after a year and chemo, it traveled to her liver as well.
I am so afraid of what my result mean.My pain management Dr. told me he was not prescribing me any more vicodin.!!!
What do you think

Blessings,
Tatonka

[Galen]

I am sorry to hear of your trouble, but we are not doctors here.  This is a patient-to-patient self-support forum for people with hepatitis, mostly Hep C.
I will tell you though, that all medications must be processed through the liver and long term use, especially with alcohol intake, can definitely damage your liver.

[Tosser]

I most definately agree with Galen, and wish you the best, but just out of couriosity, I did look at Vicodin to see what it is.

Vicodin
Active Ingredients: Acetaminophen and Hydrocodone
Representative Names: APAP and Hydrocodone, Anexsia, Bancap HC, Ceta-Plus, Co-gesic, Dolacet, Duocet, Hy-Phen, Hydrocet, Hydrogesic, Lorcet Plus, Lorcet-HD, Lortab, Margesic H, Maxidone, Norco, Panacet, Stagesic, T-Gesic, Vanacet, Vicodin, Vicodin ES, Vicodin HP, Zydone

That makes me wonder why this Dr. had you on it for a long period of time. I too, take small amounts of one of the versions of this med. for some long term physical pain due to injuries to both feet, but they told me they absolutely would not continue this therapy over a long period (a year or more). For one thing, it becomes less and less affective the longer you take it, so you may tend to increase the dosage as the pain persists, and I dare say, all of us here are well aware that too much Tylenol (Acetaminophen) can be potentially fatal to liver function. My pain specialist said he thinks there are more accidental overdoses leading to liver failure due to Tylenol, than any other medication available. I can't tell you if that's caused your lab work to go crazy, but you need to take a break from this particular pain killer. See your GI to see what else he might prescribe to help for a while, then retest your liver functions. May God bless you and your sister. We never like hearing sad news such as hers.
Tosser

[Tosser]

Vicoprofen

Active Ingredients: Hydrocodone and Ibuprofen

<DrugDigest.com>

[oldhippiechick67]

Vicoprophen is mixed with ibuprofen, or motrin, not aspirin.
I think Erin GI PA said you can take up to 3 GM of Tylenol (or 3000 mg) of Tylenol per day without fear of damage, but I am not entirely sure.  And as Galen said, we arent doctors here, and as to why Tatonka is having abnormal lab results is up to her doctor to find out.  We will offer compassion and support, and suggestions regarding Hep C sufferers, but Tatonka's scenario is a bit off our track.  There are Chronic Pain sites and Liver Cancer sites on Medhelp and Mayo Clinic sites among others.  Best of luck to you Tatonka....wish we could pull answers out of a magic 8 ball but we cant.   OHC 67

[mofo]

The vicoden, as stated above, is bound with tylenol. There is another form of this call vicoprofen which is bound with asprin. I'm not clear why your Dr. has decided against giving you vicoden, but if it's due to the amount of tylenol you are ingesting, you might want to discuss the vicoprofen.

[looneync2003]

I've been taking tylenol Pm's for 13yrs, this was a cheaper way to self medicate my sleep disorder. I often wondered about the damage I'm causing, Recently I had to have  MRI, which they said I had a enlarged left adrenal gland. I personally think its my liverbut the great USA,I can't afford health insurance so I'm have to suffer and take one day at a time...