Being prescribed drugs to help with f... - Living with Fatty...

Living with Fatty Liver and NASH

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Being prescribed drugs to help with fatty liver and cirrhosis

Moonsts profile image
17 Replies

My pcp spoke with a no that specializes in liver care at my gastroenterologists office.

It was suggested I start to take metformin and a statin to reduce the fat in my liver. It appeared on my last fibroscan that my liver was stiffer and I was downgraded to f3.

This is supposed to be the most current treatment. According to the NP, she just learned this at a conference.

I have to say it has me upset and I'm afraid of taking them. Especially some of the side effects and my I s, high blood pressure, and hypo thyroid. I take meds already for these three.

Any thoughts out there on adding these 2 new drugs?

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Moonsts profile image
Moonsts
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17 Replies

I haven’t heard of this treatment but I take metformin for my diabetes. I, also, have hypothyroid (Graves) for which I take synthroid. I take several other prescription drugs and have no side effects from the metformin. I’d say to try it. If you have side effects you can always stop but it just might do you some good. Good luck.

Moonsts profile image
Moonsts in reply to

Thank you for this positive response!

Moonsts profile image
Moonsts in reply to

Now my dr wants me to start testing my blood sugars like a true diabetic if I take these 2 pills. I knew it was a mistake to add that label to my records. I am not an actual diabetic. It was marginal. Dr thought it would help me if I ever needed anything. In this case it's made me feel worse. I wont take the drugs and subject myself to actually feeling worse.

I simply refuse to stick myself to check my sugars when it's the drugs causing it to be needed. I'd rather die first

in reply toMoonsts

If your A1C is over 5.7 and under 6.5 then you are pre-diabetic and a healthy diet should take care of that, barring any other medical issues. If your blood sugar is 6.5 or above the metformin can help. What dosage have you been on? Perhaps it’s too high? There are other meds that can work for what your doc is addressing. Oftentimes, it’s experimentation with meds and dosages. Good luck.

Moonsts profile image
Moonsts in reply to

5.7 us my score

Moonsts profile image
Moonsts in reply to

I havent started the metformin or the statin yet. The metformin dose is 500 er.

Once a day.

in reply toMoonsts

In the end you have to do what you’re comfortable with. If you’re not trusting your doc it may be time to get a second opinion. Wishing you the best.

Moonsts profile image
Moonsts in reply to

Very true. I dont know enough to fully trust. But the good news is I have an appt now with a liver specialist at Lahey!

in reply toMoonsts

I’m so glad. It will act as a second opinion and, hopefully, give you more confidence as you move forward.

Moonsts profile image
Moonsts in reply to

Just a side note. The Lahey specialist said no to the statin and metformin.

All 16 vials of blood have been processed. Next I meet with her in January

Rm2816 profile image
Rm2816 in reply toMoonsts

I honestly think that it was a statin drug that actually damaged my liver. Or possibly a biologic . I started both at the same time four years ago. I can’t get in to see a gastro until Jan. I’m assuming a liver biopsy will tell me more. I’m glad you don’t have to take those meds.

Moonsts profile image
Moonsts in reply toRm2816

I'm glad too, for the moment. I dont know who to believe. The one that prescribed the statin along with metformin had supposedly been to a recent seminar on the topic and this is what she came away with.

Now I find out, shes not just a NP at my gastros office, but actually a doctor! So why wouldn't she practice as one?

Caitlyn6 profile image
Caitlyn6

Have they given you a cause for the fatty liver?

Moonsts profile image
Moonsts in reply toCaitlyn6

Yes, I had hep c from a blood product back in 1980. The damage was done over time and I never knew I had it.

It was discovered after many complaints of not feeling well over a long period of time. Years.

I felt like I was being labeled a hypochondriac. Finally my doctor threw up her hands and said shed check for hepc. That's when we found it and the damage was done.

Caitlyn6 profile image
Caitlyn6 in reply toMoonsts

How awful for you. It's terrible when u know something is not wrong and you get fobbed off with 'anxiety'.

NYLassie profile image
NYLassie

Since my doctir prescribed a starin for me, my cholesterol and liver enzymes have been in normsl ranges, and my triglycerides are going down. Bydureon has also decreased the fat in my liver. Several articles I have read come out rather strongly for the use of statins for those with NASH. cureus.com/articles/39400-p...

Herman7275 profile image
Herman7275

Metformin been around long time, I am severly allergic to it, can cause diareaha. But can be a standard diabetes prescription

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