I had a ct scan a year ago for an unrelated problem and my liver looked great! I had a follow up ct scan a week ago and have live cysts now! The only thing I have done different is start talking the gabapintin!? I don't know what's going to happen yet! I go to gastro doc in a few days and I'm worried sick! One other problem I have had is gas and diarrhea... And I mean BAD! I also have lots of memory problems... Good luck to you and I pray Alls well!
thank you everyone for your input.... yes, the Dr has suggested that Copaxone would probably be better for me to try. I just want my liver to get better first. I know the Copaxone isn't supposed to affect the liver, so I guess it's a psychological thing for me. I really hate taking any drug, especially such potent ones.
I haven't had tylenol, ibuprofen, or alcohol since the first elevated liver results. I do take 300 mg Neurontin and 10mg Baclofen every night, but the Dr said they shouldn't affect my liver. I tried to stop those as well, but the nerve pain gets too unbearable.
I guess I'll just wait to see what the tests next week reveal...
I had the same problem after a very short time on Rebif; this is a known side effect of the interferons which occurs in a very small % of patients, like 3% of us or something like that.
I had no liver problems previously with the exception of some inflammation 20 years earlier when I had mono.
My neuro had me go off of it immediately after the first blood test which was abnormal, I can't recal how long I'd been on it, a few weeks maybe? Not very long. I went off it, and went temporariy off ALL meds and supplements and no alcohol, as all of these things can affect liver anyzyme levels. After one week, liver function back to normal. Restarted Rebif and only Rebif, stayed off the other meds, alcohol, etc, and liver enzymes shot up again after only a weeek or two.
So I stopped and immediately started Copaxone. This was nearly 5 years ago. I've had no side effects other than the inital site reactions and one minor IPIR episode.
On Copaxone my attacks went from 4 in a little over a year to 1 every 2-3 years on average.
Perhaps you are among the minority who aren't good candidates for interferon, and Copaxone may be more tolerable for you.
They use Interferons for liver disease so Interferons themselves are not dangerous to everyone's liver. That said we are all individuals and react to medications differently. I would follow the Doctors recommendations. Sorry for your problem.
Alex
Hi, I haven't tried an interferon drug yet as I'm too scared of liver problem's so I was interested to read your post and I hope you start getting back to normal very soon. I wonder if there was an underlying problem which didn't show up on your initial liver function test? I guess it's possible. Anyway, good luck and I hope its all back to normal soon
I can't think of anything else offhand that would help to clear up your liver - see if your dr. has any ideas on alternative meds that could help too. Or more herbs......... Can't hurt!
Good luck to you. !!