Tylenol and Utram and anything else

[doglover28]

Good morning, All.  Happy Friday.  I've been taking Tylenol/Hydrocodone for Myalgia for several years. The strength is 10 mg of hydrocodone 325 of tylenol.  My docotor had said that I have fibromyalgia.  The pain is mostly in my neck and upper back.  Anyway since I've been diagnosed with Hep-C, I now think it's a side effect from the virus.  I mentioned my concerns about the tylenol to my doctor and he switched me to Ultram, which I haven't even filled because i read one of the side effects of it is Hepatititis.  Anyway, since my Tylenol/Hydrocodone has such a low dose of Tylenol, I wonder if it's safe to take for the pain.

[MrsOckert]

Okay, this really won't answer your question.  You'll get 3 people to respond to you and 3 different answers.  Ask 3 doctors and you'll get 3 different answers.  

My doctor told me to take acetaminophen - I think that's tylenol, isn't it? - and not to take ibuprofen.  Or is that the same thing?  I get soooo confused.

Anyway, I tried taking nothing.  But sometimes the pain is so bad you have to take something.  Just don't overdo it.

[doglover28]

acetaminophen yes is tylenol.  Ibuprophen is motrin and advil.  I read in an old post that stick to less than 2000 milligrams of tylenol per day if one does have to take it.

[MrsOckert]

BTW, Char I forgot to mention the other day that I was 46.  so we are near the same age.  I'm amazed at how many people in the 40's and 50's are getting dx.  It seems like it's more than 20's and 30's.  Not to say we don't have any of those here.

I've been thinking about you and your daughter this weekend.  It sounds like she's been a wonderful help with your husband and I'm sure she'll be able to come thru this like a trooper and be supportive of you.  

I can only imagine the fear and dread you have towards your upcoming conversation with her.

Did you ever decide what to do about a doctor?  I'm using a gastrointerologist (sp?), but I'm limited in the town I live in.  I think there's only two docs in town that treat HCV patients.  I've been reasonably happy with him.

Anyway, have a good day.  Valorie

[mikesimon]

I don't know the dose of Tylenol that the average liver patient should take but as a transplant recipient I assume my recommended dose would be safe for you. My surgeon told me to keep my Tylenol dose at or under 1000 mg. per day. Hope this helps a little. Mike

[doglover28]

Mike, Thanks.  I will only take as needed. Stress adds to the neck pain, and I guess I'm stressing about my daughter getting tested.  She is 12.  I am taking her in for her physical on the 22 of May.  Hopefully she doesn't have it.
I bought a book at Barnes and Noble last night on Hep C.  The authors both have it.  Said it has been around since the 1950 if not before.

[mikesimon]

I'll be hoping she's clear. Mike

[Bill1954]

Although I obviously can’t replace your doctor’s advice, I can tell you that as a stage 3/4, my GI doctor recommended I take Tylenol up to 2 grams (2000mg) per day as needed for pain. He also emphasized that there is absolutely no “cumulative effect” involved; that is, it doesn’t build up in our systems after an extended amount of time. Again, your doctor is more in tune with your particular case, so the final answer should really come from him. All the best to you,

Bill

[doglover28]

Thank you. If she is not...I don't know how I will tell her. I need to just keep thinking positive about it. I keep telling myself to just deal with the day that is in front of me.

[MrsOckert]

I wanted to add my sentiments about your daughter.  We'll all be praying and hoping that everything turns out well for her.  Please let us know.  Valorie

[mikesimon]

If you can manage it getting it out of your head is the best thing you could do. As I have said before: It is not realistic to believe you can prepare for the worst. If, God forbid, the worst comes you'll deal with it then but there is no way to really get prepared. I really wish you and your daughter the best - and I think she's going to be fine. Mike

[roaming]

Even Dr.s have many opinions. My husband is at 3/3 and his dr wants him to take no more than 1000 mg of tylenol if needed or 800 mg. advil.

[NYgirl]

My doctor said to take tylenol only (and i am an Advil addict) because the ibuprophen changes your BLOOD chemistry and that is something you really don't want to do while you are on treatment.

At least he gave me an excuse that made sense so I listen to him...I hate going blind with "just don't do it".

I miss my advil's but trust his advice.

[amirtracy]

Hi. Just wanted to wish you luck with your daughters test. I too worried about my kids and thankfully they both tested negative. Try not to get ahead of yourself with this one it seems we tend to worry more about others than ourselves, most of the time for nothing. remember this is a blood to blood disease. it's almost impossible to catch thru casual contact/home life...best of luck to you. tracy

[amommy]

Good luck with your daughter's test.  I'll keep her in my prayers.  My daughter (who is 2) is hep c positive.  While I freaked out at first, after researching I felt much better.  Kids with hep c do very well!  I don't think you'll need to worry though.  The chance is VERY small that she has the virus!  Keep us posted and I'll keep you in my prayers!

[MrsOckert]

I am so sorry!  I must have missed the news about your daughter.  Is there a tx protocol for children?  May I ask what you and the doctors have discussed for her?  I hope everything turns out okay in the end.

Valorie

[amommy]

Thanks for asking about my daughter!  We knew it would be a risk if we were to have a child, but EVERYONE we spoke with said the risk was so low that it was not really an issue.  Shows what the "experts" know.  Sadly, she fell into the less than 5% to acquire hep c via vertical transmission.  She is a very healthy, active, vibrant two year old with no issues.  As far as treatment, they treat children as young as 3 years old with standard therapy.  We are undecided about whether to go that route at 3 years old.  Going through tx myself, I just can't imagine doing that to her.  But, I also would love for her to not ever have to worry about this disease as she grows older!  Anyway, I could go on and on about this :)  but I will stop.  Say a prayer for us that she is one of the 30% who can clear this virus by the time she is 3 years old!  "They" say that if she hasn't cleared it by age three, she won't clear on her own.  We still have time! :)

[MrsOckert]

Yes, you certainly do have time.  The good news (if she did tx) would be that she probably wouldn't remember the tx.  Children can be so resilient!!

When I get on my "bad" days I think about some friends of mine and their little girl.  Khloie is 20 months old and she was diagnosed with a malignant brain tumor at 8 months old.  So far she's had 14 surgeries, 3 months of chemo and just finished 7 weeks of radiation.  She's just the most beautiful happiest baby I've ever seen.  Her smile just lites up the whole room.

As an anecdotal comment to all that are on procrit.  Khloie was on procrit while doing the chemo and somehow she "knew" when it was time for that shot!  She would hold her breath, turn blue and pass out and need to be bagged!  Can you say attitude?  They finally decided to give it to her via the line or tube or whatever you call it.  She did not like the pain of that shot!

I'm glad you had your daughter.  Can you imagine life without her?  Valorie

[amommy]

You are so right!  I can't even FATHOM my life without her. :)  My motivation for getting through tx is to be able to give her a sibling.  It really has helped me on the bad days! :)
  
Your friend's daughter sounds like a true fighter.  I have been actively involved in helping families with children fighting cancer for a couple of years now.  I am ALWAYS amazed at the strength and positive attitude these children maintain.  Truly inspirational!  
Not sure if your friends have heard of caringbridge, but it is a free web site service so that parents can post updates about their children's progress.  You can visit www.caringbridge.org for more info.  More importantly, the caringbridge community is AMAZING and supportive of eachother.  I can't even describe the connections these families have.  So, if that is something they would be interested in, pass it on! :)
Hope you have a fantastic day!  I know I will, playing with my daughter!

[MrsOckert]

What a small world!  She does have a website on caringbridge.  The site name is Khloiefarran.  They've just updated new pictures of Khloie.

It has to be really rewarding and heartbreaking at the same time to work with the families and children of cancer.  I cry at commercials - not sure I could handle that!  I'm so glad there are people like you out there.

Have a great day yourself!  I better get going and get something accomplished today.  Later, Valorie

[dyce]

ha there, I've been takin lortab for years for an old injury. It's 10/500 10mg hydracodone ,500mg acetamophen, I only take 2 a day and my hepatologist said no more than 4 a daay. I get the drug from a pain specialist, and she told me no more 4000 mg of tylenole a day. I have screws and plates in my left ankle and man after 8 hours a runnin around a big hotel , it hurts like h-ll! I'm sure my hcv doesn't help either. I was also warned not to drink alcohol with tylenole. Hope this helps ya and my last liver bx showed no liver damage after taking this drug for years!

[NYgirl]

LOL Dyce you nutjob  you better NOT be drinking any alcohol with the tylenol....or without it or Im gonna come and find you and put you in a time out corner~!!  ;)

[doglover28]

I am so sorry to hear about your daughter having contracted Hep C.  I am embarressed to ask this, but what is  vertical transmission?  Does that mean during delivery.  
Thank you for your well wishes about my daughter. She's 12. Thank you to everyone else that has sent well wishes.  I will let everyone know what the outcome is.

[doglover28]

I will keep you and your daughter in my prayers as well.

[amommy]

You ask a good question!  Vertical transmission is when hep c is transmitted from mother to child.  The question that remains is WHEN this actually occurs since the virus is unlikely to cross the placenta.  In my case, I opted for a C section so that I could be CERTAIN the minimize the mixing of my blood with her blood at birth.  I feel pretty certain that in my case, the virus was passed across the placenta due to my high viral load. :)
Newest data indicates that with a viral load of under 1 million the vertical transmission rate is a bit under 2%.  
I will definitely keep your daughter in my prayers!  I'm sure you will get the positive results you so desire and deserve. :)

[can-do-man]

hey guy, little advice here, next time you get the urge to run around a hotel for 8 hours .... DON'T.... And if you must might i suggest a smalle hotel or just drive around it?

[Dale_Ray]

I tried to understand Tylenol early in my treatment. I new the the aceto???????? was not a good thing in higher dosages and could cause acute liver problems. When my doctor prescribed Tylenol Extra strength I became alarmed and started researching it. At least thousand or so letters and studies by professionals are on the internet on the subject. In my case restricted dosages of Extra Stregth for treatment sides is acceptable. However be conscious of all your drugs because so many contain this ingredient and it is the accumulative total intake that harms the liver. Make sure your specialist has a complete up to date listing of your meds both prescribed and over the counter. Good luck to you and take care of that liver. Dale

[dyce]

No time for joking, jim is a critical state here. I think it's chronic riba withddawl, we got to do sumthin to snap him back into reality! Maybe a deep fried turkey.

[can-do-man]

I say we hog tie him. and set a bottle of riba in front of him. That just might do it.

[dyce]

Good point there dale, there's acetamophine in a lot of cold meds , cough syrup , and allergy meds and 1 has to be mindful not to over take this med by taking a comdo of thease meds at once.

[returntosender]

I take motrin for pain and mix in tylenol liquid as well.  I stay to 1600 on motrin and 2000 on tylenol and never take anything closer than 4 hours. Hydracodone is another story.  These treatment drugs already affect persistalsis (digestion) and hydracodone really does a number as well - major lockup of the digestive system.  I think that is more problematic than the effects on the liver.  IMHO.

By the way, I read that Hepatitis virus has been around for over 800 years!  Columbus had it - he thought his upper right quadrant pain was from leaning over the edge of his ship looking for the edge of the world.  Little known fact.  ;)

[can-do-man]

Hi there, as for your daughter were all hoping for the best. Just remember that even though it does happen the odds are very low.
Heck i got better odds of getting a brain, and believe me many of doctors tell me, sorry just ain't gonna happen. No way no how. So i think your pretty safe. Remember worry and stress does a heart no good. Best to you and your daughter.

[Pdilly]

I was worried about my son but he and my husband both tested negative.  I was sooooo happy.   More than likely she is fine.  Let us know though and we will keep them in our prayers.

[amommy]

Kalio, Thanks for your encouragement.  It helps that we are on the verge of much better treatments.  I know that she will be ok.  She is perfect in my completely unbiased maternal opinion :) lol

Doglover, I am glad you moved up the date for your daughters blood work.  I'm sure she will be just fine, but the sooner you know that the better!!!  Keep us posted.

[dyce]

Now easy there girl, I promice , no more wild parties. I'll behave from here on out! (hehehe).

[susan400]

I take Ultram (has no Tylenol in it) and then, I take just 2 Tylenol with my shot.  I can't take any of the NSAIDS and the narcotics are just TOO - TOO much for me.  Ultram is considered non-narcotic.   Ultracet does contain Tylenol, but not Ultram.

Susan