I am (or was) what you would call a moderate drinker and a binge drinker. Weekends and parties were an excuse to get drunk. I like drinking and I like getting drunk, but I never drank daily except. . .
When my sciatica is acting up. When the pain got to be too much, I’d swallow whatever painkillers I had on hand with beer. My doctor at the time would not prescribe any strong painkillers, insisting that OTC medications should be enough. So I took OTC painkillers-- by the handfull. Way over the recommended dose and, if I was at home, with alcohol. Because even if the pain didn’t stop, with enough alcohol, I didn’t care.
Aleve, Tylenol, Advi, Motrin-- whatever. I’d take 3 or 4 at a time. With a bottle of Sam Addams or Yuengling. Worked for me.
I went to the doctor last week because I was having stomach pains. She thought it was my gall bladder and sent me to have an ultrasound. The ultrasound showed that I was actually suffering from alcoholic hepatitis.
Apparently Tylenol and alcohol are lethal to your liver all by themselves. But in combination---- bad, bad bad.
I’m now waiting for the right time to call my doctor back to find out how much damage I’ve done to my friendly neighborhood gigantic gland.
So remember folks: ALCOHOL AND TYLENOL DON’T MIX.
Oh Biggirl! I’m so sorry. I hope the pain isn’t too bad right now. Be sure and update us with what the doctor says. Hopefully you’ve caught this soon enough. Good luck.
I’m very sorry to hear that, Biggirl, but it sounds like they caught it somewhat early, at least? My brother-in-law is in the hospital right now with the same diagnosis, though I don’t know if Tylenol is part of the problem, and he didn’t get seen until the disease had progressed a lot further.
As part of the public service announcement, people also need to be extra careful about taking cold medicines that contain acetaminophen, which is the generic name for Tylenol - it can be easy to take multiple doses of the stuff, or combinations of different cold meds that each have it as an ingredient, if you’re feeling miserable.
Not to take any thunder away from you, Biggirl, but IIRC it is generally a bad idea to take alcohol with any medication. A friend of mine, one night, did shots of something with her Paxil … something like that, anyhow. I don’t remember the specific drugs or alcohol involved, but I do know that she was in the hospital soon after having her stomach pumped.
I am not a doctor, but I have studied alcoholic hepatitis to a great extent. Based on my understanding of the disease, and coupled with my observations that you’re still fairly young and healthy, your prognosis is probably quite good.
The big qualification, though, is that you must stop drinking altogether. Further, despite abstention, you still run the risk of developing cirrhosis. Most sources say the outlook is positive if action is taken at a very early stage.
The one thing I must add to your Public Service Announcement is that alcoholic hepatitis is primarily caused by the consumption of alcohol. OTC painkillers may exacerbate the problem, but it’s typically how the liver deals with ethanol that’s to blame. Further, even if you don’t “overconsume” alcohol, women are more likely to become ill from its consumption simply because of the way the female body metabolizes ethanol.
Your doctor may be able to help you with palliative care as an alternative to OTC pain meds and alcohol. If your symptoms are coupled with nausea, you may even be able to be entered into an “herbal therapy” program.
Please get your liver fully checked out as soon as possible. I’m worried for you, Biggirl.
As you know, Biggirl, in my book, you completely and utterly rock. I’m glad you and your doctor have identified the problem and I hope you will be OK.
This isn’t a reflection on you so please don’t take it as an insult but I really thought not taking Tylenol if you’re a somewhat regular drinker was common knowledge. Now that I know it isn’t as common as I thought, I’ll be sure to mention it to family members.
JuanitaTech, sending positive vibes (an an O’Douls <giggle>) your way.
Don’t worry about me. I am under a doctor’s care. Had my last drink on my birthday (I didn’t know it was my last drink at the time). The doctor has told me the preliminary blood test look good, just waiting for the results of more detailed tests.
I’m really gonna miss drinking. I like drinking.
And I want to point out that I was not a heavy every day drinker— much more of a binger. Like I said-- weekends, parties, special occasions AND when I was in pain. This heads up is for everybody who thinks you have to be an alcoholic or drink everyday for something bad to happen.
Welcome to the boat, Biggirl. Good idea to remind everyone and I hope your prognosis is good. I did this years ago but the symptoms just showed up as of late.