How long does my liver have?

[mrdevious]

I've been really getting concerned about my liver, since it must be in the same shape as an alcoholic's. I mean, I'm only 21 (almost 22) and have been taking huge amounts of painkillers for 5 years. So I was wondering if anybody has an idea of how much a liver can take?

For the first 4 years I was taking an average of 500mg accetaminophen (tylenol), 200mg celebrix, and 600mg ibeprophen a day. Since my pain got worse, I've stepped it up a notch. In the past half-year I've been taking 650mg acetaminophen with 75mg Tramadol twice a week, with the 200mg celebrix a day.

Now in the past month with my pain levels worse than ever, I'm taking 1,300mg acetaminophen, 150mg Tramadol, and 200mg celebrix every day (plus smoking the weed, it's great for the leg and arm pain, not so much for the back and neck). It's still not enough, but the docs won't give me anything stronger so what can one do really... So how much more of a beating can my liver take before it finally fails, going at this rate? With my pain levels I don't see how I can reduce the meds, and it pisses me off how the pharmacuetical companies force you to take liver-killing acetaminophen with every damn med whether you need it or not.

Believe me, I've tried not to take the painkillers, but I just can't seem to do it. I made a new years resolution to quit the meds, and after 2 1/2 days of incredible pain that grew exponentially, I finally went back to it realizing there's no way I could live in that much pain.

Also, does anybody know some methods for making my liver healthier? A cleansing method perhapse? So far I'm takin a stuff called "Liv-tone" with a bunch of herbal extracts, and I've heard of drinking lemon jiuce as a cleanser. Any ideas would be greatly appreciated, especially on how much longer my liver might have.

mrdevious Reviewed by mrdevious on 03-08-2007. How long does my liver have? I've been really getting concerned about my liver, since it must be in the same shape as an alcoholic's. I mean, I'm only 21 (almost 22) and have been taking huge amounts of painkillers for 5 years. So I was wondering if anybody has an idea of how much a liver can take? For the first 4 years I was taking an average of 500mg accetaminophen (tylenol), 200mg celebrix, and 600mg ibeprophen a day. Since my pain got worse, I've stepped it up a notch. In the past half-year I've been taking 650mg Rating: 5

[notransfer]

jesus.....

ask for vicodin...or oxy?...or valium...?

somethin without ace.

[Polymirize]

I know several people who drink lemon juice along with cayenne pepper as a cleanse while fasting...

But I don't know how effective it might be if you're still taking all the pills... Have you considered talking to a nutritionist?

[FakeBoobsRule]

Celebrex and IBU are cleared by the kidneys and not the liver. 1300 mg of tylenol is well withing the daily maximum limits without causing liver damage. I would have to look up tramadol but that is a small dose too.

If you are concerned, then you can go get a liver function test which measures liver enzyme activity through bloodwork. If these enzymes are not elevated then you are safe.

You really should blame your doctor for not givng you something stronger and not the pharmaceutical industry. If your pain is that bad you may want to see a pain management doctor who are more comfortable with giving you narcotics.

[birdgirl73]

Lots of naturopathic liver-healing/cleansing approaches employ chlorophyll, the green part of plants, essentially, in various forms, but the real scientific data on how effective that is is sketchy at best. (Do a Google search on "chlorophyll and liver" and read what you see.). The best way to heal a liver, assuming it's not infected with a virus or with cancer is to eat a balanced diet, avoid harmful medicines and alcohol, exercise, and allow it to "detoxify" (that word always makes me suspicious when I read it) itself. The liver's an amazing and resilient organ, and, as Fake Boobs told you, liver function and liver enzyme bloodwork will tell you exactly where it stands healthwise.

[Storm Crow]

Milk thistle is supposed to be a liver tonic. It used to be used in cases of liver failure due to eating poisonous mushrooms. You can get it at any health food store or at Puritan's Pride, on line. - Granny:hippy:

[surreys princess]

how about asking your doctor?

i am not trying to be difficult, but i think your dr can answer this and make any changes and suggestions better than any of us, who dont know you....

just my two cents...

[FakeBoobsRule]

I think your liver isn't in as bad of shape as you think. Some general liver health tips also include the milk thistle like someone else mention as well as selenium and magnesium. A low fat diet is good for the liver as well as overall health and you can also increase the amount of soluble fiber in your diet too.

[mrdevious]

Cool, thanks for all the replies everybody. At least it doesn't sound like I'm on the verge of imminent death.

It seems most people aren't familiar with Tramadol, so a little info:

It's a synthetic opiod analgesic. It's mechanism is that of a partial morphine receptor agonist. This means it works the same way as morphine, but it's only 10% as strong because only about 10% of the tramadol manages to bind to the morphine receptors.

jesus.....

ask for vicodin...or oxy?...or valium...?

somethin without ace.

Believe me, I would LOVE it if i could get oxycontin, morphine, vicodin, any of that. Oxy and Vic do still have acetaminophen, but at that strength I'd only have to take 1 pill's worth rather than 4; not to mention I'd actually get more than half-assed sorta/kinda pain relief. But, the problem is nerve damage in my spine and since they're still trying to figure out exactly what is going on (not holding my breath on that one), I don't have a clear diagnosis. And since I don't have a nice neat label for my condition, no significantly strong opiate painkillers for me. I'm considering changing doctors though, maybe someone else would be more accomodating.

I know several people who drink lemon juice along with cayenne pepper as a cleanse while fasting...

I think I'll try that, thanks Poly.

But I don't know how effective it might be if you're still taking all the pills... Have you considered talking to a nutritionist?

No, but I've talked to every other health professional under the sun and I'm very knowledgeable about nutrition myselfl; IE. I constantly research nutrition and learn new things, study methods for healing etc. Not that anything has really worked...but then I've tried anything and everything, so I don't really expect to find a means of getting better anymore.

Celebrex and IBU are cleared by the kidneys and not the liver. 1300 mg of tylenol is well withing the daily maximum limits without causing liver damage. I would have to look up tramadol but that is a small dose too.

That's good to hear... kinda, but I hope my kindney's are good now. 1,300 is within liver tolerance, but it can cause liver failure at only 2,500. The reason 1,300 is still of great concern is because those doses are based on acute levels, not prolonged daily administration.

The best way to heal a liver, assuming it's not infected with a virus or with cancer is to eat a balanced diet, avoid harmful medicines and alcohol, exercise, and allow it to "detoxify" (that word always makes me suspicious when I read it) itself.

Good advice birdgirl, but nothing I don't already do. Thanks anyway.

how about asking your doctor?

i am not trying to be difficult, but i think your dr can answer this and make any changes and suggestions better than any of us, who dont know you....

Ugh, but unfortunately doctors seem to be indoctrinated with the belief that tylenol by the pound is just all-super-healthy. They all seem to think it's no concern at all, and one even told me to just load up on it when I can manage without the Tramadol (which is never). While doctors may be experts in the medical field, they still have to keep up with up-coming research and keep learning. I've met doctors who knew less about Tramadol, nutrition, and a few other things than me. I'm not trying to be conceited either, this is information I've learned from specialists and papers from accredited research institutions.


Anywhoo, even if I'm not taking toxic doses, it's still a big concern since I'm 21 and it seems I'm never going to get better. I mean I can't expect to live to, lets say 81, by taking daily doses of all these pain meds for 60 years. Frankly I think it would be healthier if I could just get strait opium or morphine and take it in smaller-medium doses, without all the added stuff.

[mrdevious]

Oh, and also does anybody know how addictive Tramadol is? Are there some signs of addiction I should look for? All my docs say is that it has a lower potential than other opiates, but it's there. Again I take 150mg a day. Incredibly I've been able to find nothing conclusive about this on the web.