Liver Failure Question - Liver & Pancreas Disorders Message Board

Evica · 08-02-2007, 02:30 PM

Hi, I'm new and I joined this board to ask this specific question. I'm very worried about myself right now, and I hope it's not liver failure. I am very fatigued, dizzy constantly, barely hungry(not good for a 5'8" 110 lb woman) and recently started having very loose, yellow stool... for about 2 weeks the other symptoms have been going on. I wouldn't suspect liver failure in the slightest if this were to happen to me at any other time, but I overdosed on Acetominophen(Tylenol) and ibuprofen(that probably didn't do anything, though) about a month and a half ago. Long story short, I was brought to the ER, drank a whole lot of charcoal, and a round of mucamyst. A pretty terrible time in my life... unfortunately this was not the first time this has happened. I never got any check up blood work done, and I'm starting to wonder. Obviously if my eyes start turning yellow I'll know, but I'm really hoping to prevent it from getting that bad.

Is this something to worry about, or am I just being paranoid? Any help is much appreciated.

alana52 · 08-02-2007, 03:58 PM

Hi Evica
I dont know too much about this but i can tell you my mothers symtoms when she had liver failure,
first she had a lot of swelling around the ankles and her tummy was huge with fluid she also could not tolerate food her skin and eyes were very yellow and she could hardly walk her breathing was also laboured, and she seemed confused unable to hold conversation.
this happened to my mother through alcohol so im not sure if its any help, but this was what happened when she had liver failure. hope this is a little helpful

professional342 · 08-17-2007, 10:00 PM

Don't mean to scare you but if you are having liver failure and you do not get help now, you will do damage that can not be repaired. The problem with liver failure, by the time your eyes go yellow, it is too late, you will need a transplant. be safe, Go get your blood work done now.

1BadLiver · 08-18-2007, 06:26 AM

I agree, see a doctor now. You are NOT just being paranoid. If you drink alcohol...STOP. It is highly toxic. The Tylenol and Ibuprophen OD could definitely have compromised your liver. Tylenol, especially. Basically the only thing you can do right now is to have a full work up. They need to look for specific problems such as ammonia in your urine, low potassium and iron, platelett count, etc. Take it from someone who knows. I have chronic hep B and was drinking regularly until I was really, really sick. Chances were pretty good I'd end up with liver problems anyway, but I rushed it along a bit by not taking care of myself. I'm only 46 and not ready to go anywhere for a long time. So I made some serious changes in my life.
I'm at stage 3-4 right now but my doc said I could live for decades without needing a transplant. Of course I stopped drinking (it's been 7 months), I take Milk Thistle, try to have a low protein and fat-free diet (the liver doesn't process proteins and fat very well) but it isn't easy. When I finally sought out medical attention I had to have a blood transfusion, was diagnosed with portal hypertension and the docs were pretty confident at that time, that the only answer would have been a transplant. I wouldn't have qualified to even make it to a waiting list because I hadn't been alcohol free long enough!
The good news is that I got all my levels within "normal" ranges since then. I'll have bloodwork every 3mo, an ultrasound every 6mo.. and an endoscopy every year.
I'm hoping to celebrate my 80th birthday beachside, drinking alcoholic beverages with umbrellas in them..served by a cabana boy that looks like Johnny Depp. Yes...on my 80th birthday I shall DRINK! Until then, I see it as poison.
Please see a doctor as I do believe it is urgent. Take care of yourself, keep us posted