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Posted 1/5/2013 10:19 PM (GMT 0)
hello. I'm new to this so I hope I'm in the right spot. my name is dora. I'm a 28yr old female that has been diagnosed with degenerative joint disease,irritable bowel syndrome,sacriolytis,and fibromyalgia.I have been having very bad pain in my upper right quadrant. my doctors keep telling me that my liver function tests have all been okay. I have no gall bladder as it was removed back in 2007. I'm scared it still may be my liver. I used to drink alcohol regularly from ages 13-27. I am sober now of 10months. I do take narcotic pain meds with Tylenol in them. my most recent liver blood test was done about 4 days ago and the doctor said it was fine. but I still wonder. could there be something wrong with my liver even though my test came back okay?? thank you so much to anyone that might have a suggestion.
Posted 1/5/2013 11:26 PM (GMT 0)
welcome,

what kind of meds are you on for starters?

have they checked your pancreas for pancreatitis, that would be a possible source of pain in that region (i underwent a severe attack at age 28).

david in sc
Posted 1/6/2013 2:16 AM (GMT 0)
Hi there...welcome to the boards..Congratulations on giving up the alcohol!

If I may ask a few questions....

I'm thinking you are prescribed either Norco, Lortab, Vicodin or Percocet if it has Acetaminophen in it.

How long you have been on them? And are you seeing an actual Pain Management Dr.? They are the best ones to see to get an overall treatment plan for your pain and find as many modalities as possible to help get you to a manageable level.

I would think if your liver enyzmes are fine and they have done an actual test to feel the liver to make sure it isn't swollen, then you should be fine in that area.

The easy way to take away any fear of this or have to worry about it is to ask to be on a medication without Acetaminophen. I was on Percocet for a few years and developed a squiggy stomach that would get upset almost every day. I was switched to OxyIR...this is just plain Oxycodone...This way, I can take a Tylenol if I have a fever, or Advil if there is inflammation but don't have Acetaminophen in every pill.

I was diagnosed with IBS in my early 20's but have thankfully got that pretty much under control with eating healthy and daily exercise (walking) and drinking 12-14 glasses of water a day.

Have you been to see a Board Certified Neurosurgeon to get a recent MRI and have them look at the spine issues to see whether you are a surgical candidate or not?

We also have a Fibromyalgia board that you can post in as well. I was diagnosed with that back in 1995 when it wasn't very well known but I lucked out in finding a wonderful Rheumatologist who was really focusing on this emerging disease and is now known around the U.S. as one of the best for research and treatment plans.

So...there are many people here who can empathize what it's like to have multiple health issues and trying to take care of them to live a good live, even with chronic pain.

Keep on posting:)
Posted 1/6/2013 4:27 AM (GMT 0)
Welcome to HW, Alwayz! David brought up a good suggestion - the pancreas can cause pain in that same area. And yes, it is possible to have an issue with your liver even with normal lab results - but unlikely. We also have a Hepatitis forum - it is for all types of liver issues, not just hepatitis and there a wealth of information in the folder at the beginning of the topics. And here is something that you may not know - you don't feel pain within the liver - the interior of the liver has no pain receptors and very few (if any) on the surface. The pain that comes with liver disease is caused by the swollen liver pressing into another structure or surrounding tissues. Hope you're feeling better soon! And Congrats on kicking alcohol to the curb! C:
Posted 1/6/2013 4:51 AM (GMT 0)
this you all so much for responding!! the medication I'm on is hydrocodone 7.5/325APAP. and also hydrocodone 10/325 as needed for severe pain. been on the narcs for about 5 years now. I no way abuse them but the fact that it has been so long of the acetaminophen use is quite scary. I do have a rheumatologist but I just asked him to revert me to a pain management clinic because he said he could not prescribe different medication. no one has felt to see if my liver is swollen but sometime I know it feels like something is going to bust right through my rib cage!!! I'm alsoalso not sure if they have checked my pancreas. I will definitely look into it some more. thanks again for all of you taking the time to respond. you all have been so very helpful and its great to know there is someone to talk to!!! I can't thank you all enough!!!
Posted 1/6/2013 5:14 AM (GMT 0)
Hi again! What is the average total amount of pills you take each day? The current maximum amount of acetaminophen per day deemed safe by the FDA is 4000mgs. That comes out to a max. of 12 of your hydrocodone pills. The risk of injury to the liver usually occurs when this amount is exceeded within a 12-hour period or when mixed with alcohol (a HUGE no-no!). My fiance recently had a liver transplant (11/4), and although he was an alcoholic, taking prescription Lortab for several months while he was still drinking increased his liver damage. He was sober for almost 6 years when he was diagnosed with liver disease.
Posted 1/6/2013 5:23 AM (GMT 0)
I take a total of 8 a day and I'm within the limits but I still worry with the stories I've heard about liver damage occurring at low otc doses. not to mention the fact of how heavy I used to drink in the past.I absolutely do not drink any alcohol now!!! It sure would be a huge no-no!! I hope everything is going well with your fiance. my prayers go out to you him and your family.
Posted 1/6/2013 5:41 AM (GMT 0)
Please try not to listen to all of the 'scare stories'. I know it's hard when you are already worried, but I honestly think that your liver is ok. Just continue with your sobriety, eat right, and drink water every day. Go to your doctor with any concerns you may still have and maybe try to get an appt. with a hepatologist. And just so you know, even when a person has the beginnings of liver disease (i.e. cirrhosis), the 'simple' act of ceasing drinking can heal the liver. The liver is the one organ that can regenerate. I really think you're gonna be fine.

And thank you - he is doing very well. We are very thankful that he was given a second chance at life and will be forever grateful to his donor - that person's selfless act cured my fiance of cirrhosis and liver cancer - and gave him his future back.
Posted 1/6/2013 5:10 PM (GMT 0)
the IBS could be the cause of the abdominal pain.
Posted 1/6/2013 7:03 PM (GMT 0)
splashdancer, thank you so much for your input.this alone has made me feel a lot better!! I am definitely going to talk with my doctor about switching my medication to something with no acetaminophen in it.
AngMichelle,thank you. I've thought about ibs being the culprit but the doctors told me that it wasn't because my intestines aren't stored that high up.the pain is right behind and underneath my right rib cage.I also have no gall bladder.I am scheduled for the camera capsule endoscopy so maybe that will help get to the bottom of things. thanks again to everyone. best of wishes to you all!!
Posted 1/7/2013 1:32 AM (GMT 0)
hello everyone!!! so in back and I have kind of a weird question...lol!! as you may know I'm on the Norco. I just took them about 30 minutes ago. about 15 minutes ago I ate a fiber bar due to bouts of constipation.( I've never had a fiber bar before). just a few minutes ago I started having these horrible chills run through me!! I am not feeling so good. can fiber interact with pain medication or could I just be conning down with a sudden flu???
Posted 1/7/2013 1:37 AM (GMT 0)
please excuse my typos. I'm working with a kindle fire hd and my hands are kind of shaky.not used to touch screens!!!
Posted 1/7/2013 1:52 AM (GMT 0)
I eat lots of fiber each day and have no issues with my pain meds. I don't know of any reason why they would interact in a negative way.

It could just be that with the constipation, the blood sometimes gets pumped to the intestines to work harder all of a sudden. Same thing with cortisol...when our body is in need of "extra" power to overcome something, it can get released and cause that type of feeling. 

Flu usually comes on a bit more slowly with most people knowing it's symptoms...But it's certainly possible you are just having a bit of a stomach issue. That is the thing with IBS as it can cause such a swing in either direction.

Make sure you are drinking plenty of water each day..especially when you are eating something high in fiber. Try to get to bed early tonight and get a good night's rest.

Obviously no one here is a Dr. so we are just throwing out suggestions...Please contact yours if you are feeling worse tomorrow.

Post Edited (Snowbunny21) : 1/6/2013 6:55:00 PM (GMT-7)

Posted 1/7/2013 2:24 AM (GMT 0)
thanks snowbunny!! I drink about 8 bottles of water daily. I'm definitely going to take you up on going to bed early tonight. thanks for the advice. everyone have a great night.
Posted 1/9/2013 1:45 AM (GMT 0)
hello everyone. I have a question. Is it safe to take my ativan 2 mg when I take my pain meds or should I wait a few hour? I'm open for opinions! and I just found out that I have ulcerative colitis so my doc put me on a drug called sulfasalazine500mg. I'm not too sure about this drug because he gave me a schedule for times I have to go in for blood work and dates. scary. I've heard a lot of side affects as well.but he said this medicine can help with my rheumatoid arthritis too.
Posted 1/9/2013 1:57 AM (GMT 0)
You definitely need to ask your Dr. and/or your Pharmacist of when you should take your medication and whether it is safe to take them together. Do you need to take Ativan everyday, the same dosages? I was thinking that was an anti-anxiety med that is used only when needed....(Just asking based on two friends who have this prescription). Either way, they should be able to answer your questions

The new medication is definitely used to treat UC so I'm not sure what you are worried about? Every single medication is going to have some side effects..Just like your pain meds and Ativan...

Many side effects go away after a few weeks to a month.

This is where the internet or even the insert that comes with medication can get people too worked up and have them thinking negatively of a medication from the start which then leads to it not working very well for them. You will always find more negative things online than positive in regards to medications, surgeries, treatments. (Just a general statement not against HW)

The main thing with the new med is to make sure you take it whole and do not break/crush as the coating is there to protect the stomach. And follow all the instructions like taking after a meal, etc.

Even Tylenol can be dangerous if taken wrong or too much....So I try to go at it with a 100% positive attitude that something is going to help me and give it a good month to see if it works as this is what the Drs. want as well.

Hopefully this will be a great help for your UC and stomach pain issues:)
Posted 1/9/2013 2:03 AM (GMT 0)
thank you! I will give it a try. sometimes it just takes a little encouragement!! I have a ton of health problems but I am still young.trying out new meds are scary. that's why I asked about the ativan because I don't and never have taken it on a regular basis.but I had just took my pain meds about an hour ago but I'm feeling a little anxious now.that's all I meant by that.
Posted 1/9/2013 2:12 AM (GMT 0)
Ahh...then if it's still not too late you can call the Pharmacist realy quick and give him the dosage/name of your pain med and then the Ativan and ask if you can take now or in x amount of hours. They can pull it up on their screen for interactions.

I truly can empathize with trying new medications...I barely ever took a Tylenol in my life until it all started with rupturing ovarian cysts, then Fibromyalgia, then Morton's Neuroma (foot surgery), knee surgeries, lap surgeries, then my spine surgeries....So now I take 5 medications a day and I'm only 44 and all this started in early 20's.

So, it's always good to really try other things first to see if natural ways can help the problem and pain. But after trying everything then medication is the next step to try and provide some relief for you. I hope the side effects are minimal...try not to read the entire list of what "could" happen...lol...Just the important ones to look out for.

Good luck.
Posted 1/9/2013 2:11 PM (GMT 0)
well I am 28(almost 29 now),but I sure don't have the spunk I used too but I still try to remain as positive as I can be! I had aches and pains when I was a kid,(oh and TERRIBLE migraines too!!) but I didn't think very much about it. at 18 I started experiencing horrible stomach pains,found out to be endometriosis. I had 3 laps done with two laser surgeries. By 19 I had a full hysterectomy in which through me right into menopause.awful! then shortly after that, I developed a seroma pocket and had to have a rubber drain surgically implanted to release all the infection. it sure seems like it's been all down hill from then! to date my diagnosis are as follows: fibromyalgia,RA,degenerative joint disease,sacroilitis,systemic degenerative arthritis,polyarthritis,vitamin d deficiency,myofascial neck pain syndrome with muscle spasm,anemia,irritable bowel syndrome,pericarditis,and now ulcerative colitis. I'm on a lot of medications(gabapentin,salsalate,dicyclomine,hydrocodone,vitamin d50,000units

Post Edited (alwayzdrama) : 1/9/2013 1:54:41 PM (GMT-7)

Posted 1/9/2013 2:21 PM (GMT 0)
ativan,hydroxychloroquine,flexirel,lyrica,sulfasalazine and a few more.) I try not to read all the side affects but it's kinda hard not to! lol! I thought I would give u a little summary about me so you can get to know me a little better. I really do appreciate all of your suggestions!!! thank you. I've now started the sulfasalazine so I'm definitely looking forward to improvement with a positive out look! I also had my rheumatologist refer me to advanced pain management. I have an appointment with them on the 17th !! I'm looking forward to that. I don't understand exactly what it is they'll do,but hopefully they will get me off the pain meds that have the acetaminophen in them because it worries me so much even at the low dose! have a great day everyone! I've learned to find sunshine on all the cloudy days!!!
Posted 1/9/2013 2:39 PM (GMT 0)
Hello, I too am a UC sufferer and by all means take your UC meds as your doc instructed you to. UC can be wicked and cause many problems but if you catch the flares early sometimes the flare are ot so bad. Never ignore a UC flare up they do not go away on their own

Take care....Susie
Posted 1/9/2013 8:49 PM (GMT 0)
thank you so much Susie! I have started the meds so we'll see how it goes!!
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