I haven't posted for a while, so I will try to explain how I feel generally.
Had HA back in September & had a stent fitted.
Most of the time I feel ok but every now & again I feel pretty awful, like I'm getting over Flu or a virus.
My main symptons are tenderness in lower ribs & stomach ache, hard to explain but feels like my stomach is being confined.
Both not painful, just there & at the same time I feel sluggish.
I've had various blood tests, that show liver is mayby struggling & inflamed.
Also at times, my skin & eyes are showing a tad yellow.
I have an appointment coming up with a Liver specialist, so I guess I will wait & see.
For me personally, I've never had any issues with my liver prior to starting the HA medications about 6 months ago.
I've recently had my 6 month Echo & eveything looks good, heart has repaired itself & eveything is on the right track, on the heart side of things.
But this constant struggle with the medication side effects, generally feeling one week like I've turned a corner & feel great again & then the following week, feeling ill again & weak.
Has anyone had any problems with their medication giving them the same problems or issues with their liver?
Not sure I can take this constant yo yo feeling anymore & will look at dropping all the medication unless things improve.
Seems pointless me getting over a HA, if my quality of life is so bad.
My meds are as follows:
Lansoprazole 15mg
Aspirin 75mg
Dapagliflozin 10mg
Ticagrelor 90mg (twice a day)
Bisoprolol 2.5mg
Eplerenone 25mg
Ramipril 2.5mg
Atorvastatin 80mg
Sorry for the moan, just after some advise etc
Pete
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Washo66
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Your post has a lot of positives how well you are doing which is good to read except this liver issue they feel you may have
I know because of my medications I have blood tests every 3 months to make sure it is not affecting anything like my liver so far everything seems ok but still since starting on all these meds I have stomach issues which after different tests now looks like it is side effects but which med I take is causing this as they all say they can
I hope you will let is know how you get on as I will be interested to see what has caused this as well as I hope they make it better for you to x
Good morning be kind. I knew you'd be there to help this gentleman. You really live up to your name. I wonder what your occupation was as you are always there with good advice and helping people. Keep you the good work. You have a kind heart.
I hope everything works out for you. I find my medication has a very acute affect on my body. If only we didn't need them...life would be great. I hope you get yours sorted
Hi I can relate to this, I have been ill for like 5 months and so I contacted my GP and they arranged blood test and it showed very elevated liver enzymes and because I have abdominal pain and swelling and nausea then I'm having an abdominal ultrasound scan on the 10th. How did you find out you had an inflamed liver??? Sorry to hear x💔
Aw that's awful 😔 x that hasn't happened to me thank goodness. I'm supposed to have a repeat blood test to see if I still have elevated liver enzymes. Hope your ok? X
I am currently on Bisoprolol, Lansoprazole and ibuprofen since having open heart surgery six weeks ago. I had stomach pains and issues for awhile and still do now if eating the wrong thing. I also felt confused, forgetful and noticed my routine was very dark even with drinking plenty of water during the day.
I am not sure if I am staying on this medication or not but I will mention this to my consultant next week. I hope your liver results come back ok and your body gets better soon.
I don't go near Ibuprofen. It's terrible stuff. It was responsible for me having a serious stomach bleed a number of years ago, even though I was within the prescribed limits, and one of its notable side effects, like all NSAIDs, is to ability to cause an upset stomach. I only use paracetamol when absolutely necessary and would rather put up with pain than take anything else
To be honest I have never been keen on ibuprofen but I am taking this as blood thinners so once a day in the morning. I should go onto aspirin next week, I have pain in my ribs especially the left, and upset stomach daily.
My sternum is still fusing back together and I put it down to rich food, hence why the discomfort,but I will keep an eye out just in case these symptoms continue.
About 6 weeks after my HA and starting meds I had sudden onset pain in the lower rib area you describe. This was similar to how my HA presented so called ambulance. ECG and troponin was fine, but liver ALT and Bilirubin raised. Was admitted to hospital and over the next three days it worsened. I was in pretty bad shape - jaundiced, ill, in pain and the liver markers rose 10 fold. Drs were adamant there must be a physical blockage or problem in the liver or biliary system and such a critical reaction could not be related to meds. Ultrasound, CT and finally MRI did not find a structural cause. On the evening of day 3 I decided, against medical advice, to not take Atorvastatin 80mg. The following day I felt a lot better and blood markers halved. The day after I was completely well with bloods all normal and jaundice gone. Was discharged with a (reluctant) diagnosis of “drug induced insult to the liver”. I was willing to try alternative statins but Drs not willing to prescribe due to the severity of reaction. Am now on Ezetimibe and Inclisiran with no apparent side effects. I wonder if your GP might consider switching you to a non-statin therapy for a trial period (eg Ezetimibe and Bempedoic acid)?
I was diagnosed with non alcoholic fatty liver after my blood tests showed that my liver enzymes had increased. My GP told me that I needed to lose 10% of my body weight which I have now done. I’m hoping my next set of blood tests will show that I’m out of the danger zone. Hopefully your liver specialist will be able to advise and reassure you. Good luck.
Hi Pete, which of your LFTs is raised ,AST, ALT or GGT, also I note you're on diabetes t2 medication, two types of anticoagulants and a statin plus others for BP and heart failure. I am not a cardiologist but an old retired Medical Microbiologst, I suggest that you have a review of your medication in case you have been left on one medication because it was prescribed in hospital and not stopped. Your medical team might try a different statin etc also there is nothing wrong with asking the team what each type of medication is for? Obviously your team has your medical history so don't stop anything until you chat.
When you see the specialist I’d push for an ultrasound at the very least while they’re juggling to see which medication could be causing this. It may not be related at all and the faster you get to the bottom of it the better you’ll feel and the less damage will be done. Good luck
this seems oh to common I had my heart attack in January having not any signs had a complete blocked CA . Angiogram showed I didn’t need stints at the age of 67 having been relatively fit all my life so far. After I left hospital I was given a pack of medication now having done some research it appears everyone gets the same pack as a preventative measure to prevent more issues. One good thing was they forgot to put the beta blocker in and as it transpired I didn’t need them so I had them removed. Since then I have read about the cholesterol myth and so the statins have gone too. Diet exercise and a totally monitored eating regimen no excessive sugar and pastry intake . It’s not for everyone but cayenne pepper black seed oil other natural things are the way I’m going. Pray you get yours sorted because it cannot be good being uncomfortable as a result of what is supposed to make you better. Best wishes
Yes to all you suggest.....I cannot endorse the çayenne pepper shots enough....The relief I have now from the Carotid artery pain is amazing. I am going to speak to my GP in a few weeks about the meds I am still taking...I'm still on the list for bypass, but owing to the positive changes I've made and my improved state of health I'm not convinced that level of intervention is required.
Good Morning, Come2jesus, I wonder if you could explain the ‘cholesterol myth’ please? It might help a few of us, including Washo66. For info I’m 5 years post-NStemi, and been on a standard meds package ever since.
In my eyes, the myth is that it's given as a cure all. Statistically the benefits of taking it versus the "potential" down side of side effects are minimal. I dropped from 80mg to 20 and the cholesterol readings are no different. In fact they are low enough to stop taking them. Out of courtesy to the cardiologist I will keep taking them until my next face to face appointment when I will inform him of MY decision to cease!
Hi see you are on atorvastin 80mg-- have you had regular blood tests every 3 months?? I started on atorvastin 20mg last August and blood test showed raised levels in liver! I had a scan and have a fatty liver- quite usual at my age 67, so deciding to stop them,having blood test next week to see if liver better
Hi, when I had my HA, they put me on the standard bunch of meds. The one that caused my initial liver issues was the Atorvastatin. I too was started on 80mg but was dropped to 40mg after review. I didn't have any discomfort during the time.
Really sorry to hear your update but can relate to the ups and downs. I had periods where I felt very rough after making a brilliant rehab from Nstemi & quadruple CABG last July. About 4-5 months post surgery I was feeling fatigued , brain fog , clumsy , cold , losing the afternoons and early evenings to tiredness and generally feeling like I was shutting down and didn’t want to move . I ached all over. GP suggested stopping the 80mg of artovastatin for a trial period . It ended up a month before I could get another GP appointment 🤦🏼.. I felt great in that period , GP put me on 40 mg Pravastatin, after a week I started to get the tiredness , afternoon drop on blood pressure etc, I d see tarted to feel awful again. Couldn’t get hold of my GP , not even a phone call , the surgery system just blocked it and triaged my submissions (blood pressure readings showing drop from 115/75 in morning to 101/61 in afternoons etc) by a “clinician “ who wasn’t familiar with my situation. Phoned the pharmacist and she said to stop the Pravastatin. Now waiting for fasting blood test on Friday , review the results and probably start a 3rd statin, Rosuvastatin at 10mg with a view to titrate up to see what I can tolerate .
FYI, you can get Rosuvastatin at 5mg. It's what I have, although I only take one every other day. I refused stronger stuff!! See above answers regarding "the cholesterol myth". Anyway, off to eat some butter now...
Hi Pete, I have had previous liver related problems, itching and pain that I describe like someone grabbing hold if my stomach and twisting it. When this started shortly after starting artovustatin I swapped to rosavustatin, pain unacceptable. I simply stopped statins. Take care.
I got what is called a 'deranged liver' when on 80mg of Atorvastatin. Now on Pravastatin with no ill effects. You need to see your GP for an immediate change to a different statin.
I have had something wrong with me since birth . Constant pain in my legs and fell at lot. My parents where told I was clumsy and growing pains. All my life in pain and fallen in 1988 aged 29 woke unstable to stop my arms jerking last over a hour. And they became part of my life and my walking got worse.
Bear with I will get to the point in 1992 my GP found the best neurologist in the country for me. After other things had ruled out. After a week of tests could tell me what I hadn't got but couldn't tell me what was wrong but the electric signals from my brain weren't getting to my limbs so to help with the symptoms he put me on Amptriplyine for the nerve pain. Sodium valproate to try and control the limb jerks and Carbamazepine.
Fast forward to 2017 thought life had caught up with me as felt very ill . Our children where 4 and 6 months when the limb jerks started . My husband died in 2004 from cancer and then had my parents and mother in law to look after all the time being ill myself.
I had to call the GP in she said I was yellow but I couldn't see I was. Got admitted to acute ward turns out the sodium valproate and carbamazepine had given me jaundice. They stopped the tablets straight away was in hospital for 5 days had to have injections into my stomach, vitamin K tablets and 3 antihistamines and 3 creams . My liver was enlarged. After the yellow your skin goes red and very dry and itchy and feels like you are on fire. What it does to you bladder and bowels is awful. I was seriously ill for 5 months and when my gastrologist discharged me from his care he told me my bilirubin levels where over a 1000 but wouldn't tell me how high they should have been 12. He then told me people with my levels usually died .
As you are seeing someone in the early stages of being yellow then you should get treatment quickly. I am lucky I have no lasting damage but I have never smoked or had a alcoholic drink since 1988 .
Finally in 2020 found out I was born with small hole in my heart. 2021 after MRI the connections between the chambers of my heart are fine and have a strong heart function. But the hole is small and on the side of my heart between it and my lungs. On Flecainide and Apixaban and have PAF
Found out in 2022 I was born with the rare hereditary Hyperekplexia gene mutation SLC6A5. Which is a mutant gene in my brain receptors. But been on Clonazepam since March 2020 and not had a limb jerk or seizure since. My neurologist has never had a patient with this and it was only detected by having my whole genome genetically tested.
No idea if this has helped but this is what happened to me.
Hi Pete. Sounds like you are on a right mixture of meds. I was on Eplerenone for about a week but stopped immediately as I thought I was going to die. I was also taking Ramapril at the same time and Amlodipine. Now I am just taking Entresto and Dapag for the Heart and Atorvastatin for Cholesterol. I think it's just a case of getting the meds right that works for you as everyone is different. I hope this helps a bit.
Hi treading carefully here as no medical knowledge but I do feel you need to speak to your GP and ask for a Med review they could possibly tweak your meds and hopefully 🤞things will improve. We all know there are side effects with every medication some of which we learn to live with and others we can’t. I sincerely hope things improve for you and there are no serious problems regarding your liver. Good luck 🍀🍀let us know how you get on 😊X
I don’t how long I struggled with the same symptoms until I had my gall bladder removed. I was told several times that there were no problems with my gall bladder but clearly there were.
Hi, yes I’ve had issues with my liver and kidneys due to my medications. I am monitored every 4mths as a result.
I received a call from one of my consultants Kate on a Friday night to be told stop all my meds until I’d been seen the next day. My liver bloods were extremely high and kidneys were showing stage 3 kidney failure.
With careful monitoring and changing of meds my liver and kidneys are at present completely fine. In fact my recent liver test showed even my non alcoholic fatty liver had been reversed somewhat.
The liver fortunately is an organ that can regenerate itself.
Hopefully with medication changes or adjustments your readings will also revert back and your liver recover. Try to avoid sugar, alcohol and fatty foods.
On one medication for my pericarditis they halved the dosage with the proviso that with flares I can increase the dose for 3days but I must have a blood test afterwards. They also prescribed alternative inflammatory medication celecoxib and oramorph that is only to be taken when my pain is at a point where I’d consider A&E.
Many other medications were completely stopped.
There are many alternatives to certain medications.
After admission to hospital with liver issues , my LFTs were way out.like you I felt as though I had a bad flu and clammy with aching in my abdomen . They immediately said stop the Atorvastatin . It took about 4weeks for LFTs to return to normal. They changed it to Rousuvistatin and Iv had no problem since .
I'll be following your post closely because I really do empathise with you.I've had Liver Cirrhosis for 10 years and since my HA in September been out on a plethora of meds, most of which can be detrimental to your Liver.
Consequently I have even more regular Liver Function Tests than I usually do and thankfully so far so good.
It's reassuring that your medical practice is on top of this and has moved quickly to get yourself checked out.
I took feel exactly the same as you as my HA was classed as very mild but the meds make me feel awful. Up one minute down the next. Life is a bit of a roller coaster and I've often wondered, like you, whether to sack the meds and get on with life.
But I don't, and trust the professionals even though sometimes it does feel as though they read from a script.
Please keep us updated as I empathise with you fully.
Just to give the other view on Atorvastatin, noting that we are all different and have different reactions to medication. I have been taking Atorvastatin for over 25 years, the last 6 years on 80mg and my annual liver function tests have always returned normal. Furthermore I have been taking high dose PPIs for reflux disease for over 15 years, and 30mg Lansoprazole for the last 6 years. That aside I hope you get sorted.
I have been diagnosed with non alcoholic fatty liver disease I’m concerned that my liver struggles I take Atorvastatin as well and Omeprazole for acid reflux I have read that Omeprazole stops bile and so you don’t get the goodness from food I’ve been told I’m anaemic as well I’m very worried about my liver dr are concerned it is due to hormones I have been prescribed I’ve been taken milk thistle supplement daily I’ve felt so tired recently drs are great I guess it takes time to get a balance I’ve just had more blood tests taken it’s difficult when you can’t see what’s going on isn’t it
I’m glad I’ve found this forum to talk to others who have to cope with the same
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