mom has HCV

My mother has had hep c for about 4 years now. She just recently got put on "the list". She is trying to stop smokeing, but she has a problem with takeing lortab. I was wondering if anyone knows if lortab is bad for her to be on. I mean I know it can't be good but her doc is giving them to her and knows she has HCV. If anyone could give me some advice, I'd be greatful. By the way, I new here and I'll try and give some advice as well. Thanks! :)

[lor325]

how much lortab. 4 grams is max with hcv some docs say 2 grams max. lortab has acetaminophen and hydrocodone in it. what are the reasons for using the risks and benefits should be taken into consideration. if for pain maybe downgrade to oxycodone does not have the acetaminophen in it. there are some hollistic alternatives for pain management I have total compression and use analgesics on and off for pain. if it is an addiction problem this should be dealt with if she is going to tx. i have read that people with drug addiction issues are at risk to relapse or increase use while on tx.  

[Bill1954]

So you realize, there are no doctors here.

Have her ask her doctor about substituting vicoprofen for Lortab if the acetaminophen is an issue. Most cirrhotics are allowed a moderate amount of acetaminophen; it doesn’t seem to have an accumulative effect. Vicoprofen is essentially hydrocodone with ibuprofen, but comes with its own set of issues, I believe. It depends a lot on your mother’s individual labs, especially coagulopathy.

Was she prescribed Lortab for smoking cessation? That ‘d be a novel approach!

Sorry to hear of your mom’s situation; keep us posted to her progress.

Take care,

Bill

[babydoll23]

Hey there! I talked to my mom today about getting off the lortab. Of course she didn't take it very well because I think she's addicted to them. I guess all I can do is maybe make some suggestions on what else she can take and keep explaining to her the acetaminophen is not good for her liver. I just hope her ammonia level doesn't go up so high that she's in the hospital again. I hate when that happens, she didn't even know who I was when I walked in the room. That really hurt me cause we're really close. It got up to 170. She's been doing good since she got put on this real exspensive medication. I don't know what it's called. I know it helps to keep her ammonia levels down. I really don't know much about all the other meds. I know she is 3-4 on the scale. I'm guessing that's the worst since she's on the list now. Well, Maybe if  u get some time u can explain what medications are the best if u know of any. I'll find out what that medication is called that's keeping her levels down and let u know. Thanks a bunch!

[babydoll23]

Well,
  Talked to mom yesterday. She says her doc put her on norcos. I guess it doesn't have as much acetaminophen in it as lortab. Hopefully it will be better on her liver. I'll keep u posted!
      -Rach

[nygirl7]

If your mommy is addicted to them then she's probably taking more than she should be but unfortunately there won't be anything you can do about it until she is ready.  We call norcos Vicodin here in NY.

As someone above said - it is possible to get the drug hydrocodone without the acetaminophen included in it.  That might help somewhat....she wouldn't go into withdrawl (withdrawal) but she could at least cut out the acetaminophen.

Good luck, it sounds like your mom needs a lot of prayers so I'll say one right now.

[babydoll23]

yep,
Mom's an addict- (That's why she's in this situation with hep c) She's pretty bad off, her damage is at like a 3-4 on some kind of scale they use. I don't know hopefully she'll be better off on the norcos. I haven't heard of vicoprofen. I guess I'll look into that for her. I'll keep ya'll posted!  Take care Everyone!