Lortab

[pattywebb123456]

I have been consisntently taking 3-4 Lortabs 10/500 all at once in the evening for quite some time now.  I have been doing this off and on for about three years.  Some times I go about 6 months with no pills but there are other times that I take them everyday for 2 months straight.
I have currently been taking them every night (at once) for the past few months and I am becoming VERY concerned about the shape my liver is in.  I have been having sharp pains off and on underneath my right rib (liver) and also have aches across my whole lower back.  I know that this has to be caused from the excessive amount of tylenol that I have ingested. I have never had my liver tested in the past.  As of two weeks ago, I began taking 2 capsules of milk thistle to try and help my liver out during these hard times.
My questions are:
Does milk thistle help?
Is there anything else that I can take to help my liver?
What kind of long term damage have I caused so far to my body?

Thanks!!

[snakejones]

Hi there Patty, welcome! I have a few questions to ask you if you don't mind answering them. They will help me and the rest of the people on the forum answer your questions/give their opinions.

1) Why are you taking Lortab?
2) Why four at once?
3) Were these/are these prescribed for you by your doctor?
4) What has caused you to up the frequency (every night vs. irregularly or followed by long periods of not taking them at all)?

Okay, about your questions. Milk thistle does not heal the liver--only the liver can do that, and if it is badly impaired by abuse, then it can't even do that. Milk thistle, like other plants and herbs, SUPPORTS the liver. Just think of it as like a vitamin or other nutritional aid. As far as helping your liver in other ways, you know the answer to one way---by stopping your Lortab intake. Lortab is for moderate to severe body pain only, NOT for mental/emotional/psychic pain or for getting high for funsies. Be honest with yourself why you are taking them. You have indeed damaged your liver, but it will try to heal itself IF you stop those pills immediately. At the very least, you must go off them completely for 4-6 months to give your liver a fighting chance at repair. You may take milk thistle, and I'd recommend a daily multivitamin. You do not want to throw tons of vitamins/herbals at an already impaired liver. Drink plenty of fluids; at least 50% of your fluid intake should be water. No alcohol or other drugs! And if you are a smoker, try to cut down as much as possible. After you are well, if you smoke you should work on quitting. Also, eat a good diet, meaning lots of fresh fruit and veggies, salads, lean meat/fish if you eat meat, and whole grain bread and cereals. Get a little exercise each day, too, like a nice walk in this pretty fall weather. A hot bath at bedtime will help you sleep. Your body is a temple, and the Bible says that you "are fearfully and wonderfully made". Please honor God, your spirit, and your temple by ingesting only good things in that lovely body.
I'd go to the doctor and get a liver panel (bloodwork) just to be safe. Your right-sided pain could possibly be your gallbladder, but your doctor needs to check that out. Do your pains in your right upper quadrant coincide with just after a meal? Your gallbladder is directly attached to your liver, so it could be involved--that's why I ask. Your backaches could be caused by many things, but one of them could be your kidneys--they are also affected by Tylenol intake.
I'm glad you wrote. Please write back with the answers to the questions I asked and any additional ones you may have. We are here to help!

[Innerstrength67]

I think you should go to the dr. If your feeling strange and having pain than you might need more than milk thistle.
Also, you really should seriously consider putting down the drugs for good.
Hope this helps.