Some advice please

[Curcubeu]

Hi guys,

hope you are all well. I wonder if you could advise me on preparing myself or buying some natural remedies for the liver. I am shaken every week by this "fabulous" Mtx I take 25 mg injectable and feel that I need something to help me out. Thanks

Sending hugs xx

[helixhelix]

I have no idea of anything that can really help, apart from a decent diet, no alcohol or other hepatoxic products and lots of water. The liver is truly remarkable in its ability to heal itself, and I am scientifically sceptical of all the detox products.

But one thing that is really to avoid for us is milk thistle.

[Wobbies in reply to helixhelix]

How strange, my dog who is on immune suppressants and steroids for inflammatory bowel disease is also prescribed milk thistle to support her liver.

[helixhelix in reply to Wobbies]

Does your dog take methotrexate? My rheumy told me clearly not to use it.

From medical site:

“Given milk thistle's action on the liver, the site of most drug metabolism, it would be wise to speak to your doctor if you are taking any medication before using milk thistle. In particular, if you are being treated with any of the following medications, you should not use milk thistle without talking to your doctor first.

Antipsychotics. Includes butyrophenones (such as haloperidol) and phenothiazines (such as chlorpromazine, fluphenazine, and promethazine).

Phenytoin (Dilantin). A medication used for seizures.

Halothane. A medication used during general anesthesia.

Birth control pills or hormone replacement therapy.

Milk thistle may interfere with the following medications, because both milk thistle and these medications are broken down by the same liver enzymes:

Allergy drugs. Such as fexofenadine (Allegra) .

Drugs for high cholesterol. Including statins such as lovastatin (Mevacor, Altocor).

Anti-anxiety drugs. Including alprazolam (Xanax), diazepam (Valium), and lorazepam (Ativan).

Antiplatelet and anticoagulant drugs (blood thinners). Including clopidogrel (Plavix) and warfarin (Coumadin).

Some cancer drugs. Including the breast cancer drug Raloxifene.

Drugs broken down by the liver. Because milk thistle works on the liver, it may affect drugs broken down by the liver, of which there are many. Speak with your doctor.”

[Wobbies in reply to helixhelix]

She is on Atopica as well as steroids. Will check with vet again although probably a bit late as she has been on them for 11 years.

[helixhelix in reply to Wobbies]

If nothing’s happened after 11 years that I think that’s ok!

[Dobcross1 in reply to helixhelix]

I found that out the hard way!!

[AgedCrone]

Please only take advice on anything you take on top of your prescribed meds from your rheumy team….on here we cannot give advice on medication.

If you think MTX is causing problems with your liver …..call your rheumy nurse straight away.

[Love2camp]

I've previously posted about my liver readings being raised, I'm on tofacitinib. My alt, ast and gamma gt have all been abnormal for the past couple of years. I had a scan in November as my levels were steadily getting worse. Anyway, I started dieting, exercising and clean eating. I've overhauled my whole lifestyle and lost over 2st. I was so happy to get my blood results this week and find all my liver readings are within the normal range. This may not help you but it's natural, free and worth a try.

[Curcubeu in reply to Love2camp]

I hear you. Actually enrolled with NOOM already in the effort of loosing some weight.

[Curcubeu]

Thank you all for your suggestions 🙏 😊

[SNOWYROSE]

Definitely see if increasing your water intake on your MTX day helps. I put out a full litre bottle of water, in addition to all other drinks, to take on the day. It really helps me tolerate the MTX I believe.