Health Advisory re Tylenol and Alcohol

[Padreruf]

I had some routine blood tests run on Wednesday -- and they showed alarming numbers as to my kidney and liver functions. Doctor made me stop all NSAIDS and Tylenol -- and others -- and drink a gallon and a half of water Wednesday and Thursday. We redid the tests on Friday and the kidneys were great (dehydration) but the liver is still not fully recovered -- takes longer. I feel fine...had no idea. I was taking the maximum recommended dosage of 2 arthritis strength Tylenol every 8 hours. Turns out that can be deadly...especially if one is taking other meds that the liver metabolizes through the liver. I cannot take Tylenol for at least 3 months...cannot drink alcohol (the two together are dangerous), and can only use NSAIDS sparingly -- they are metabolized through the kidneys. So now, as I leave for a 3 week trip to Spain, Portugal, etc, I will have to live with arthritis ache in all my joints -- especially knees and spine. I am learning how to use ice and heat instead of taking pills. Learn from my mistakes...I am, even at this late stage!!

 

[DzynKingRTR]

Thanks for this. Good to know. I am going to have to start on some NSAIDS myself. My hand has gotten worse and worse this past year. Aleve seems to work better for me than Tylenol, but Aleve is still an NSAID. I am now realizing that the settlement I got was not nearly enough to pay for the lifetime of pain I now have to deal with. I do love my bourbon and scotch, but typically only bring it out for "special occasions".

 

[UAH]

I had some routine blood tests run on Wednesday -- and they showed alarming numbers as to my kidney and liver functions. Doctor made me stop all NSAIDS and Tylenol -- and others -- and drink a gallon and a half of water Wednesday and Thursday. We redid the tests on Friday and the kidneys were great (dehydration) but the liver is still not fully recovered -- takes longer. I feel fine...had no idea. I was taking the maximum recommended dosage of 2 arthritis strength Tylenol every 8 hours. Turns out that can be deadly...especially if one is taking other meds that the liver metabolizes through the liver. I cannot take Tylenol for at least 3 months...cannot drink alcohol (the two together are dangerous), and can only use NSAIDS sparingly -- they are metabolized through the kidneys. So now, as I leave for a 3 week trip to Spain, Portugal, etc, I will have to live with arthritis ache in all my joints -- especially knees and spine. I am learning how to use ice and heat instead of taking pills. Learn from my mistakes...I am, even at this late stage!!

At various times in my life I have taken Ibuprofen and switched to Naproxen because of the various aches and pains that come from age and demands of daily life. Then a couple of years ago my liver enzymes went significantly out of range. I had to get off any pain killers including aspirin. Ultimately it was diagnosed as autoimmune Hepatitis, which I tend to think may be a catchall diagnosis. A couple of weeks of Prednisone, which was terrible to deal with, got the enzymes back in range. Now on another longer term med that raises even more concerns.

Good luck on your travels. The great food and warm weather in Spain and Portugal should have you feeling much better.

 

[Padreruf]

Thanks for this. Good to know. I am going to have to start on some NSAIDS myself. My hand has gotten worse and worse this past year. Aleve seems to work better for me than Tylenol, but Aleve is still an NSAID. I am now realizing that the settlement I got was not nearly enough to pay for the lifetime of pain I now have to deal with. I do love my bourbon and scotch, but typically only bring it out for "special occasions".

That's the correct use...NSAIDS are metablized through the kidneys...Tylenol and Alcohol through the liver...I have some Aleve as a backup for the 8 hour flight over and back...in case ice pack doesn't work. I had taken NSAIDS daily for 30+ years...not real bright on my part, but thank the Lord my kidneys are doing well.

 

[Padreruf]

At various times in my life I have taken Ibuprofen and switched to Naproxen because of the various aches and pains that come from age and demands of daily life. Then a couple of years ago my liver enzymes went significantly out of range. I had to get off any pain killers including aspirin. Ultimately it was diagnosed as autoimmune Hepatitis, which I tend to think may be a catchall diagnosis. A couple of weeks of Prednisone, which was terrible to deal with, got the enzymes back in range. Now on another longer term med that raises even more concerns.

Good luck on your travels. The great food and warm weather in Spain and Portugal should have you feeling much better.

I've known several people with that diagnosis and it is very difficult to deal with...glad you are still with us.

 

[DzynKingRTR]

That's the correct use...NSAIDS are metablized through the kidneys...Tylenol and Alcohol through the liver...I have some Aleve as a backup for the 8 hour flight over and back...in case ice pack doesn't work. I had taken NSAIDS daily for 30+ years...not real bright on my part, but thank the Lord my kidneys are doing well.

My dad worked with a guy that took Tylenol daily for several years. He ended up having a brain bleed and died. My dad said the guy took it at the slightest ache. I was already aware that too much Tylenol was bad just from that story.

 

[Padreruf]

My dad worked with a guy that took Tylenol daily for several years. He ended up having a brain bleed and died. My dad said the guy took it at the slightest ache. I was already aware that too much Tylenol was bad just from that story.

The amazing aspect is that my primary physician was monitoring my use of pain meds and had me on this regimen. My hematologist was not very happy with him...said to never take more than 2000 milligrams of Tylenol in any 24 hour period...

 

[NationalTitles18]

The amazing aspect is that my primary physician was monitoring my use of pain meds and had me on this regimen. My hematologist was not very happy with him...said to never take more than 2000 milligrams of Tylenol in any 24 hour period...

Primaries are put in a catch-22 (and their chronic pain patients are put in even worse - a no win situation) with prevalent attitudes on opioids and cannabis (including primarily CBD regimens). The 2 gram vs 4 gram daily limit is also a point of contention, especially when avoiding those two is necessary due to institutional policies. It's a mess.

 

[Padreruf]

Primaries are put in a catch-22 (and their chronic pain patients are put in even worse - a no win situation) with prevalent attitudes on opioids and cannabis (including primarily CBD regimens). The 2 gram vs 4 gram daily limit is also a point of contention, especially when avoiding those two is necessary due to institutional policies. It's a mess.

I have both hydrocodone and oxycodone on hand...but do not use them. Being stopped up for 3 days after is no fun. I do think we need to educate on the use of heat and cold for chronic pain. I sat with a heating pad on my spine for an hour and my pain has greatly diminished.

BTW, I have a "hand heater" that works off a battery. Not only can I take it with me on the plane, I can recharge if needed. I will put it in a cloth pad and put on my back while flying if the pain comes...and it usually does on long flights.

 

[NationalTitles18]

I have both hydrocodone and oxycodone on hand...but do not use them. Being stopped up for 3 days after is no fun. I do think we need to educate on the use of heat and cold for chronic pain. I sat with a heating pad on my spine for an hour and my pain has greatly diminished.

BTW, I have a "hand heater" that works off a battery. Not only can I take it with me on the plane, I can recharge if needed. I will put it in a cloth pad and put on my back while flying if the pain comes...and it usually does on long flights.

Glad the heat helps. It often does help to some degree. Insurance does not like to pay for Movantik or similar medications that would help that problem. The system is not set up to help people in your situation. It's a terrible situation.

 

[Padreruf]

Glad the heat helps. It often does help to some degree. Insurance does not like to pay for Movantik or similar medications that would help that problem. The system is not set up to help people in your situation. It's a terrible situation.

Had a recent MRI to discover the source of the pain. I have fluid accumulation on the spine pressing on the nerves...usually this dissipates post surgery, but mine has not. Should get better...