Liver issues?

[angeldancer]

Good morning from the west coast,

I would like to know have any of you gotten liver issues from all the meds that you are taking.  Got some news about the liver being in a toxic state.  Have any of you restored your liver after it became sick from the meds.  I know we take a multitude of meds for our different ailments.  A lot of them say can cause liver failure but has it happen to any of you and what was your protocol to get your liver back on track.  Which doctor was able to say that your liver was destroyed by one of the autoimmune diseases or the medicine.  I heard someone say that our liver takes a beating.  We only have one so I'm concern with fighting to get it back on the right track.

Thanks,
Angeldancer

[Jasper]

Angeldancer .....

If the doctors are sure the liver problems/toxicity are from drugs (or a drug), then stopping the drug should help, unless the damage is severe and permanent.

Did the doctors tell you which drug they think is causing/caused the liver toxicity? If the drug is one you currently take, then stopping it should help. If they think the toxicity is from a drug you previously took and are now no longer taking, being off the drug for an extended period of time may help, unless the damage is permanent.

Imuran caused my liver enzymes to skyrocket after just one month of being on it. My Rheumatologist checked my liver enzymes (as well as other lab work) after 4 weeks of being on the Imuran. She stopped the imuran immediately when she saw the elevated liver enzymes. After stopping the Imuran my liver enzymes went down within a a month and back to normal within 2 months. They are now very good, perfectly fine.

Many drugs, including many over the counter drugs, can cause liver problems. If your liver enzymes are elevated and/or your liver is toxic, getting off of all drugs that cause liver toxicity is imperative.

However, Sjogren's can be associated with Autoimmune Hepatitis and Biliary Cirrhosis is also common in people with Sjogren's. Your doctors should check you for Autoimmune Hepatitis and also Biliary Cirrhosis.

In addition, have you been screened for Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C? If not, you should be screened for both. They are fairly common and most people who have Hepatitis B or Hepatitis C do not realize they have Hepatitis until they have liver damage or have systemic symptoms. Even then, the symptoms are often dismissed (in the same way that Sjogren's symptoms are dismissed).

I would suggest seeing a Hepatatologist to examine you, run the appropriate tests, and treat your liver problems.

Best of wishes going forward.

[angeldancer]

Jasper...yes I have been tested for Hep A and B.  Very interesting about the autoimmune liver problems.  I will research it and tell my Rheumy tomorrow or should I say today because its midnight.

Thanks,
angeldancer

[trc1962]

I suffered pretty severe liver toxicity from Imuran but in fairness my rheumy had me on a super high dose (150 mg) and only did blood work every 3 months, which wasn't often enough. I had to take a high taper of prednisone over a 6 week period to help my liver recover, but it did recover 100%. Needless to say I got a new rheumy after that issue. I have been okay since then without any meds, but I just recently got a virus and it triggered a flare. Now I am on methotrexate but I have only had one dose and it made my scalp quite sore and I don't want the hair loss. I am going to ask about trying very low dose Imuran again because it worked wonders for me as far as the neuropathy went. I also will ask about cellcept. Good luck with everything and hopefully you will find out what is the issue.