Rheumatoid Arthritis Support Group

Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic, inflammatory, multisystem, autoimmune disorder. It is a disabling and painful condition which can lead to substantial loss of mobility due to pain and joint destruction. The disease is also systemic in that it often also affects many extra-articular tissues throughout the body including the skin, blood vessels, heart, lungs, and...

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Good news

Caspiana
Caspiana
Hello lovely people. I wrote awhile back about how I was trying to cut out my pain meds. I have done it! I am no longer on pain medication. I went to the doctors today and my liver function levels have returned to normal! I am pretty sure this is because I cut out the pain medication although during my last visit my doctor said it was due to what I was eating. Today, I told him what I thought and I think have proven that in my case pain killers had an adverse effect on my liver. Today I emerged victorious! Sorry if I sound a tad arrogant. I just couldn't believe it when he told me the medication had nothing to do with it. I hope you are all having a good week.
deleted_user
deleted_user
Caspiana, congratulations on getting off the pain meds. Not easy with this condition - especially if you are in a flare! Stay well, Lisa
SKMac
SKMac
So this goes to show that we know our own bodies best! Good for you for hanging in there!
Sandy
deleted_user
deleted_user
Woo Hooo!! this is excellent news. Well done, Caspiana - for showing your Dr. that you know you best - and for weaning yourself off the meds. Such strength and courage!

Tort
deleted_user
deleted_user
Congratulations Caspiana!! You did it! Got off the pain meds all on your own which is not an easy thing to do. I'm glad your doctor listened to your assessment of your own body and that your liver function test returned to normal. Being really in tune to our bodies can be a huge pay-off.

Linda
deleted_user
deleted_user
Congratulations, Caspiana. Good for you! ~ Kim:)
songbirdj
songbirdj
Good for you! Way to listen to your body and look out for yourself! Congrats!
Jess
deleted_user
deleted_user
Thanks for sharing the good news, and congrats on sticking strong to the notion of knowing your body best!
Bistro
Bistro
KUDOS!!! Not arrogant in the least. You are a leader! Way to make your point.
LucyKS
LucyKS
Im so happy for you!
Well done :)
deleted_user
deleted_user
That's awesome! If you don't mind me asking, what medications are you on for RA? Do you take herbal supplements?
reneelouise1
reneelouise1
Good for you! With my fm an now this ra, I have taken my share and have always been conscious of taking all that tylenol, etc.

I have hardly been taking them either and it feels good to be free!

Renee
Caspiana
Caspiana
Hello Mitzy. I'm on Enbrel and MTX and don't take any herbal meds. I know what you mean Renee. Thanks everyone. I certainly feel very good.
deleted_user
deleted_user
What kind of pain meds were you on? Anything mixed with Tylenol (like Tylenol #3) is damaging to the liver. I have very bad liver damage and the only thing I was ever on before RA was Tylenol #3 for a whiplash injury. Never drank or anything. I switched to codeine contin and am much better, although my RA is under control, so I never use it for that. Mostly just for pain from my foot reconstruction surgery.

So congratulations. Why do doctors push pain meds, when they should be treating the disease, instead of treating the disease?
Norrie08
Norrie08
Good for you Caspiana! Has your RA gone into remission or are you on one of the DMARDS? Or are you medication free also? I have started to take 1 vicodin in the evening to help me get through the nights, as that is when I am most painful. I would be interested in your protocol. Again, congratulations.
bigiblue
bigiblue
Hey Cas!

You stick to your guns. When I was on Celebrex, my Liver shot up from 40 to 63 and my blood pressure went from normal to 200/168
I told my Rheumy that,that was of all the med I was on and she refused to believe me.When I went for a blood test after stopping the celebrex. It came back normal and she also didn't believe it was from the med. I told her it was one of the side effects on the pamphlet and she then said I shouldn't believe everything I read, and if I didn't want to follow her regime of Meds then I better be looking fo another Dr. which I did.
So good for you. Only you know your body and what goes on and you know when things don't feel right. I take Aleve now because the Dr. says it does not go into the Liver like Tylenol does. Unfortunately I am also on Black Cohosh for Menopause, but it has not affected my Liver yet. Good Luck to you, and keep monitoring yourself.
bigi