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prescription drugs and liver damage
You here so much about the effects of alcohol on the liver in
people with Hep C, well what about prescription drugs. I suffer
from arthritic spine problems, and worry about effects of pain
killers and anti-inflammatory meds, docs keep putting me on.
What about steriod epidural shots? What about anti-depressants,
or anti-anxiety? Muscle relaxers? Hormone replacement? Nexium?
These are all meds I'm either on or have been on. I tried
to treat Hep c with Ribovirin and Peg-Intron, but only had partial response. My liver enzymes normalized, and to date have
stayed normal, but I fear what will happen if I continue to take
prescription drugs. Please advise.
people with Hep C, well what about prescription drugs. I suffer
from arthritic spine problems, and worry about effects of pain
killers and anti-inflammatory meds, docs keep putting me on.
What about steriod epidural shots? What about anti-depressants,
or anti-anxiety? Muscle relaxers? Hormone replacement? Nexium?
These are all meds I'm either on or have been on. I tried
to treat Hep c with Ribovirin and Peg-Intron, but only had partial response. My liver enzymes normalized, and to date have
stayed normal, but I fear what will happen if I continue to take
prescription drugs. Please advise.
I haven't seen anybody talk about prozac for AD for tx. Are the other meds I see here better for tx related depression
I have been on pain meds for years, chronic back pain, 2 failed surgeries. the amount of tylenol i take changes. I'm on meds for narcolepsy, high blood pressure, gerd, and now started prozac so I guess I could have some problems too, but I'm not to worried. None of my docs seemed to have a problem and I've had hep c for years. It is my understanding that you can have no more that 4000mg/day of tylenol for normal liver and people with liver disease should take as little as needed. I don't think there are studies showing increased damage with normal doseing. there is also a generic oxycodone that has no tylenol in it.
never mind , I found your post. That is excellent news. I bet you sleep better tonight than you have in a while. Whats next?
Hi. Thanks for the info. Yes, I have been worrying about the tylenol. Actually I worried about it before I knew that I had Hep C. I was taking Hydrocodone with 500 mg of Tylenol. I expressed my concern to the doc since I take it on a daily basis and told him that I knew that it was available with a lower dose of tylenol. He had to go look in his PDR before he believed me. Anyway, that is when he prescribed the lower dose.
Right after I got diagnosed, I called the Doc. office, and of course had to speak with the nurse. I asked if there was something out there with just hydrocodone, and she said no. However, I do believe you. Do you know the brand name by any chance?
Also, I know I will need to be on AD while treating. I could probably benefit from them now. This is really weird, but about two weeks in to my cycle, my PMS starts. That's two weeks of PMS! I went on a 20 mile bike ride yesterday, and cried just about the entire ride. Then I get mad at myself for crying. It's an awful cycle. Also, do you know if AD are rough on the liver? I am trying to hold off on taking them until right before treatment.
Right after I got diagnosed, I called the Doc. office, and of course had to speak with the nurse. I asked if there was something out there with just hydrocodone, and she said no. However, I do believe you. Do you know the brand name by any chance?
Also, I know I will need to be on AD while treating. I could probably benefit from them now. This is really weird, but about two weeks in to my cycle, my PMS starts. That's two weeks of PMS! I went on a 20 mile bike ride yesterday, and cried just about the entire ride. Then I get mad at myself for crying. It's an awful cycle. Also, do you know if AD are rough on the liver? I am trying to hold off on taking them until right before treatment.
Jeeze....there is no telling what my biopsy is going to look like since I've been taking the hydrocodone/tylenol for about five years. One good thing is my liver enzymes have always been normal with the exception of the 48 on my ALT this year (that was down to 24 a week later), but that doesn't mean squat.
I am just getting really really depressed. I am at a point where I kind of just want to give up and let nature take it's course with me. I don't know. I'm probably screwed, and if I am, I don't think I want to know.
I am just getting really really depressed. I am at a point where I kind of just want to give up and let nature take it's course with me. I don't know. I'm probably screwed, and if I am, I don't think I want to know.
Ibuprofen changes the chemical composition of your blood which is why they usually PREFER we take tylenol OVER ibuprofen. On treatment you don't want to be messing with composition cause you want the interferon to work.
Tylenol on it's own --- taken when necessary and rarely is not that harmful to your liver. All of those articles we've seen saying it will kill your liver, and someone died cause their liver gave out - took THOUSANDS of mgs of the stuff or took it every day for a long long time.
A rare tylenol while not ideal will not hurt.
Now if you take a medication that CONTAINS it...such as a tylenol codeine or vicodin or something and take it every four hours or whatever...then you ARE putting in not only the painkiller BUT also the other med. You CAN get straight codeine or hydrocodone without the tylenol.
Of course the less meds the better for the liver but...sometimes we do just need them.
Moderation is the key.
Tylenol on it's own --- taken when necessary and rarely is not that harmful to your liver. All of those articles we've seen saying it will kill your liver, and someone died cause their liver gave out - took THOUSANDS of mgs of the stuff or took it every day for a long long time.
A rare tylenol while not ideal will not hurt.
Now if you take a medication that CONTAINS it...such as a tylenol codeine or vicodin or something and take it every four hours or whatever...then you ARE putting in not only the painkiller BUT also the other med. You CAN get straight codeine or hydrocodone without the tylenol.
Of course the less meds the better for the liver but...sometimes we do just need them.
Moderation is the key.
My doctor said not to take the ibuprofen (which honestly I am addicted to and kills me not to take) something about changing the chem comp but I didn't understand what he was talking about and didn't consider it important because I just understood - take tylenol rarely instead if you have to take something - and at the time I was on OVERLOAD.
I have to admit...I've taken a few ibuprofens during treatment anyway. Because I broke my back in '93 I get these headaches in my neck that are worse than migraines and the ONLY thing that MIGHT stop them is advils...otherwise I end up in the hospital on tons and tons of demerol and vistaril to knock me out - and i figure that is much worse for me.
I try not to take anything unless necessary and honestly don't believe one is worse than the other but try to do what the doctor told me too.
Everyones doc seems to be from a different school on this one. But the one thing that is universal is you do have to take a LOT of it for it to really beat on your liver like people misunderstand. You are right.
I have to admit...I've taken a few ibuprofens during treatment anyway. Because I broke my back in '93 I get these headaches in my neck that are worse than migraines and the ONLY thing that MIGHT stop them is advils...otherwise I end up in the hospital on tons and tons of demerol and vistaril to knock me out - and i figure that is much worse for me.
I try not to take anything unless necessary and honestly don't believe one is worse than the other but try to do what the doctor told me too.
Everyones doc seems to be from a different school on this one. But the one thing that is universal is you do have to take a LOT of it for it to really beat on your liver like people misunderstand. You are right.
With liver damage already going on inside please be careful with the Vicodin's and try to find something else that you can take on a daily basis with less potential harmful sides. I HATED Ultram...fortunately there are plenty of other meds that you can try.
The last thing you want to do is put extra stress on your liver from all the tylenol you are taking on a DAILY basis.
you CAN get hydrocodone WITHOUT tyelnol in it. It's little teeny tiny pills of JUST the narcotic.
Trust me...that I know ;)
It would be worth asking the doctor just so you aren't taking all of that tylenol - quite simply all of the articles I've EVER read agree completely with what Mike told you.
The last thing you want to do is put extra stress on your liver from all the tylenol you are taking on a DAILY basis.
you CAN get hydrocodone WITHOUT tyelnol in it. It's little teeny tiny pills of JUST the narcotic.
Trust me...that I know ;)
It would be worth asking the doctor just so you aren't taking all of that tylenol - quite simply all of the articles I've EVER read agree completely with what Mike told you.
Honey do NOT worry...we all felt the sAME WAY when we first found out too. That's why it's so great to be in here...because we DO understand because we have REALLY been there!
Remember...the Interferon CAUSES depression on it's own. It is a clinical side effect of the drug. In some cases (1/3rd) of patients it can get so bad they have to quit tx.
That is why the docs put us on one BEFORE we start treatment...to prevent it. So if you can get on one now...it will be a real Godsend to you in the long run.
You're doing perfectly fine you know...you aren't a whiner at all. Don't you think it would be odd if you DIDNT have a lot of apprehension and worry over this? THAT is the person I would totally worry about!
In time - you watch - you'll be saying the same exact things to someone else who comes in new and you'll remember back and laugh your head off. I guarantee it :)
Remember...the Interferon CAUSES depression on it's own. It is a clinical side effect of the drug. In some cases (1/3rd) of patients it can get so bad they have to quit tx.
That is why the docs put us on one BEFORE we start treatment...to prevent it. So if you can get on one now...it will be a real Godsend to you in the long run.
You're doing perfectly fine you know...you aren't a whiner at all. Don't you think it would be odd if you DIDNT have a lot of apprehension and worry over this? THAT is the person I would totally worry about!
In time - you watch - you'll be saying the same exact things to someone else who comes in new and you'll remember back and laugh your head off. I guarantee it :)
DON'T let it drive you nuts! I drank a LOT for many many years...and did a LOT of drugs (prescription and very much not)...as much as a human being CAN have done for 30 years...and after all of that I am only a 2/3 borderline stage.
EVERY body is completely different. Some who have the same history as me...their only like a 1.
When are you getting a biopsy? That will give you all the definitive answers and no more guessing.
I totally totally totally advise you to talk to the doc and go on something like Paxill RIGHT away - BEFORE you go on treatment. It will chill you out and really help once you get on tx. Without it...I would have cracked a long time ago.
Now...I'm like Humpty Dumpty still sitting on the wall ;)
EVERY body is completely different. Some who have the same history as me...their only like a 1.
When are you getting a biopsy? That will give you all the definitive answers and no more guessing.
I totally totally totally advise you to talk to the doc and go on something like Paxill RIGHT away - BEFORE you go on treatment. It will chill you out and really help once you get on tx. Without it...I would have cracked a long time ago.
Now...I'm like Humpty Dumpty still sitting on the wall ;)
LOL!!!! I love the "Humpty Dumpty Sitting on the wall" You are so funny. Thanks for the laugh. I needed it.
I'm sorry if I sound like a whiner. See I get pissed at myself for being depressed. I need to be thankful. You all on the forum are the only people I can talk to right now.
I should probably call the Doc today and ask them to call in something for depression. I can't keep going in the woods crying and then turn around and get mad at myself for crying.
I go to the specialist on Tuesday at Duke. I feel good because it is a teaching hospital. His credentials look pretty good, too. I guess he will have me schedule the biopsy when I go in.
I'm sorry if I sound like a whiner. See I get pissed at myself for being depressed. I need to be thankful. You all on the forum are the only people I can talk to right now.
I should probably call the Doc today and ask them to call in something for depression. I can't keep going in the woods crying and then turn around and get mad at myself for crying.
I go to the specialist on Tuesday at Duke. I feel good because it is a teaching hospital. His credentials look pretty good, too. I guess he will have me schedule the biopsy when I go in.
Thanks!
By the way...Did you get your liver doc to prescribe the AD? My primary flat out told me when I was diagnosed that he didn't know a whole lot about the liver. The liver specialist will probably know the AD that are best for Hep patients.
By the way...Did you get your liver doc to prescribe the AD? My primary flat out told me when I was diagnosed that he didn't know a whole lot about the liver. The liver specialist will probably know the AD that are best for Hep patients.
Been takin lortab for years and the last bx showed 0 damage . I take 2 a day, each contain 500 mg of tylenole and 10 mg of hydracodone. Am prescribed 4 a day but only take 2. I get the med from a pain specialist and she recommended no more than 4000 mg of tylenole a day for most healthy patients. Patients with some liver problems no more than 2000 miligrams a day . If you are really worried , see a pain specialist .
Actually my liver doc (who is a GI) was going to call one in but it turned out my primary already HAD when I was diagnosed a week before and I never realized when she said I was to start it before treatment that meant RIGHT away LOL.
I went to her for the original tests...then she prescribed the ultrasound and put in the order for the Ad that day after talking to me about depression and Int. Then I went to the GI right after the ultrasound and he explainned it all again and went to call it in and said oh your PCP already called the same one in!
So at least they were on the same page. I started on 1/2 of a 10mg - then after a few weeks up to 10 and now am on 20mgs of Paxill and feel just fine.
You know our expression RibaRage - that is a very real thing and while this doesn't help toooo much with that it does help prevent your brains from flying all over the place and making you CRAZY LOL.
It's a great idea to get on one whoever it is that calls it in! I'm glad you are going to start. As long as you don't feel like "hurting yourself" (which is a VERY VALID QUESTION as SUICIDAL TENDACIES are a BIG PROBLE on Int) then you will be FINE getting one and working it through.
Watch. I can't wait to say I told you so. I really cant! :)
I went to her for the original tests...then she prescribed the ultrasound and put in the order for the Ad that day after talking to me about depression and Int. Then I went to the GI right after the ultrasound and he explainned it all again and went to call it in and said oh your PCP already called the same one in!
So at least they were on the same page. I started on 1/2 of a 10mg - then after a few weeks up to 10 and now am on 20mgs of Paxill and feel just fine.
You know our expression RibaRage - that is a very real thing and while this doesn't help toooo much with that it does help prevent your brains from flying all over the place and making you CRAZY LOL.
It's a great idea to get on one whoever it is that calls it in! I'm glad you are going to start. As long as you don't feel like "hurting yourself" (which is a VERY VALID QUESTION as SUICIDAL TENDACIES are a BIG PROBLE on Int) then you will be FINE getting one and working it through.
Watch. I can't wait to say I told you so. I really cant! :)
OhGreat,
I am glad you are feeling relieved since going to the doctor! It does sound like your doc is cool.
I was concerend last week about my meds. MikeSimon had told me that his doc said limit tylenol to 2000 mg a day. I am currently taking hydrocodone that has 325 mg of tylenol in it for the horrible pain I get in the top part of my back. I've been taking it for years. Doc originally said it is fibromyalgia, but now I think it's from the virus. I need to wean myself I guess. The doc had switched me to Ultram because I was concerened about the tylenol, but that stuff gave me a headache.
I am glad you are feeling relieved since going to the doctor! It does sound like your doc is cool.
I was concerend last week about my meds. MikeSimon had told me that his doc said limit tylenol to 2000 mg a day. I am currently taking hydrocodone that has 325 mg of tylenol in it for the horrible pain I get in the top part of my back. I've been taking it for years. Doc originally said it is fibromyalgia, but now I think it's from the virus. I need to wean myself I guess. The doc had switched me to Ultram because I was concerened about the tylenol, but that stuff gave me a headache.
Tylenol is bad. Or Acetametaphin or whatever is in Tylenol.
I am such a hypochondriach I pretty much cut out all fatty foods and drugs unless Dr. can ok them... which means I get to ask my brand new cool hippie HVC Doctor!! When I went to the doctors office today I looked at the professional pictures of the doctors in suit & ties on the wall... The one I was assigned to had a tie-die backdrop!! That made me feel a ton better.. I dont know why.
anyhow, I did have half an asprin the other day because my foot hurt. Probably going to have to take some kind of anti-depressent after they check out my Biopsy.
I am such a hypochondriach I pretty much cut out all fatty foods and drugs unless Dr. can ok them... which means I get to ask my brand new cool hippie HVC Doctor!! When I went to the doctors office today I looked at the professional pictures of the doctors in suit & ties on the wall... The one I was assigned to had a tie-die backdrop!! That made me feel a ton better.. I dont know why.
anyhow, I did have half an asprin the other day because my foot hurt. Probably going to have to take some kind of anti-depressent after they check out my Biopsy.
Anything metabolized thru liver is not good unless you have to have it. Anti-depressants are given on treatment. Steriods can escalate viral replication, hormones are NEVER good for your liver, nor are the herbal hormones. Not sure about the rest. Maybe some others can chime in.
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