Scared silly due to tylenol overuse - Liver & Pancreas Disorders Message Board

redrdr · 06-09-2005, 11:58 PM

I've been using tylenol and darvocet for over five years. I have two painful chronic diseases. I know that I have overused them. I have right-sided pain, by my lower ribs and my abdomen is distended. Is this from possible liver damage caused by the meds? (gallbladder is already out) I have been researching on the internet and read so much about liver damage, ascites (the swelling), etc. I stupidly thought it was "just tylenol" and that darvocet was a "mild" pain reliever. I go to the doctor Tues., but am scared to death. I also don't want to admit how much I've used, but know it's going to probably show up anyway. Not had any bloodwork done in ages. Don't have any medical insurance, either. Now I read alot on these boards and am scared even further. Any info, especially on the symptoms/pain? Could it be anything else (I pray!!!)

happyelf · 06-10-2005, 07:50 AM

Hi redrdr--welcome to the boards. Dr will probably run a CBC blood test that includes a liver panel. Liver enzymes are usually elevated when you take Acetaminophen(tylenol)...Don't let that worry you too much--the good news is it can be reversed. The liver has amazing regenerative powers. (mine regenerated itself after total liver failure...so I'm a success story) They'll tell you to d/c any acet & probably retest again in about 2-4 wks to see if the #'s are going down. They check AST and ALT levels--normal range being AST 5-45 ALT 5-60...it's not uncommon for them to above that even w/o the use of any meds. Everything we eat, drink and breathe goes is filtered thru our liver. Even viruses (colds ect) will elevate those numbers. So even if the #'s are not back w/in normal range, as long as they are trending down, that's a good sign, and that's what they are looking for. The liver can become a little enlarged from acet--but that too will go down as you discontinue Acet use. I know you don't want to admit how much you've been taking, and it will be hard--but tell the dr everything-don't sugar coat it. You have nothing to be ashamed of...you're in pain. Remember, the dr is there to help, not judge you. It will accomplish two things: 1) immediate treatment/recovery of any liver problems you may have from the meds and prevent any further damage that may become irreversible 2) your dr will know the level of pain you are at--and it' not being controlled. Depending on your labs they may be able to change your course of treatment, control it w/something that will not be as hard or damaging to the liver. (something w/out acet)

By all means, if your abdomen becomes really really painful or if you notice jaundice or yellow eyes, call yor dr. Hopefully this helps. Playing the waiting game until Tues is tough. Hang in there...Any more questions or you just want to vent--I'm here - and there are a lot of really smart ppl here w/good advice. Take care...hope yo're feeling better today.
Gina

redrdr · 06-10-2005, 01:15 PM

Thank you so much for responding and your kind words and encouragement. I am so happy that you recovered. Did you have complete failure? Don't need a transplant? How long did you do/have what caused your failure?
I am still so scared silly that I haven't made my appointment until now. I don't want to chicken out, but I know I might. I keep thinking if I wait a few more weeks, then there will be no drugs in my system. But, I am doubting if I can hang in there that long. I am in real pain. I have serious swelling in my abdomen and extreme right upper quadrant pain. I read something online about ascites and that sounds right. It said in cases of liver problems from tylenol, ascites shows up in "end" of the liver disease. I do not have yellowing of eyes/skin. But...I have taken tylenol and tylenol-containing pain meds, and sinus meds with tylenol ALOT for the past few years. I was just plain ignorant of the sinus stuff and sleep stuff having tylenol too, so...duh...I was almost double dosing most of the time. I'm taking some OTC diuretics right now to try to eliminate the bloat, but so far, no good. I am NOT taking anything for the pain, and that's SO hard. Thank you so much for listening!! I pray that you continue to stay healthy!

redrdr · 06-10-2005, 01:31 PM

Newbie mistake?! Did my answer to HappyElf go through? Sorry

happyelf · 06-11-2005, 08:27 AM

Hi redrdr How are you feeling today? Get any rest last night? Is the swelling the same or any better? Am thinking of you and sending good thoughts your way.
It is sooo hard to not take anything when you are in pain. Please don't cancel your appt Tues--let your fear work in a positive manner. Acet is in sooo many products-you almost have be be your own little detective to find out what is in these OTC's. Don't beat yourself up over this--it happens more often than we think. You are not jaundice-that's a really good sign!! No matter what the cause of the abdominal dissention, don't hesitate to get help before Tues if the pain or swelling is too overwhelming. While the internet is helpful---alot of info is accurate--a lot is not. Some sites are jissing info or generalizing it. Some of these sites can really scare the socks off you...you go to one site & read one thing, and go to another--they don't mention half of what the other site said. So don't overload on info.

I had complete failure-TLF. I had a minor flu, hadn't eaten in 4 days & was taking acet and didn't realize how much was in other OTC's. (had been taking it for a long time also) Husband couldn't wake me. When I woke from the coma (aft a few days) was moved to univ transplant hosp & put at the top of the transplant list-next liver was mine. (I'm 40, healthy, no other issues) After a few days my #'s began trending down & kept going. I was told it begins regeneration w/in about a day or so after you d/c the toxin, but the fact they began to trend was good sign. I'm home and fine--that's the main thing. I have some memory loss-but you know, who doesn't?

(now I have an excuse haha) Still see the transplant drs for reg labs, but you know-they tell me I can take Ibuprofen and acet if I need it. (BUUUUT-I don't) Anyway I'm good. Just shows that it can be reversed.

Take care, rest and update when you can.
HappyElf/Gina