Possible Liver Damage from Prescription Painkillers: Seeking Information
QuestionHello,
I was wanting a little bit of information on what could cause liver failure. Here's the background:
My father died in December and I took it really hard. I normally don't abuse prescription pills but after his death I did that first week. I was so upset I just wanted to get high and forget. I remember taking 20 Lortab 5's( over the course of 1 night not all at once)I don't remember anything after until about 4 days later. But I was told I took other prescription pills also. Xanax,Resperdol,and Adivan are the only ones I know for sure. I was told I was talking to people who were not there, could not walk and you could not understand what I was saying. I was vomiting everywhere. Even with all this my family did not take me to the doctor. They told me about when I started acting normal again. I was not taken to the doctor by my family. I recovered fine, and thought I was okay. I recently enrolled in a medical assisting program and now with all I'm earning it's got me worried about my health. Even thought I lived through talking all those pills and not going to the hospital, could I suffer long term health effects from this? I feel fine besides a little bit a nausea sometimes( which i know is a symptom of liver failure#. Is there a possibility of me being in liver failure and not knowing it until it's to late? I don't have health insurance so I can't go visit the a doctor. I guess I could have went to the ER by now, but I don't want to take up their time# there busy with more critical patients) plus I'm embarrassed to admit I was stupid enough to take that many pills and then not get treatment. Sorry this is so long, I'm just really anxious about this whole situation. Thank you for your answer in advance!
AnswerYour liver is fine.... with tylenol and the liver, you either kill it or you don't... the fact that you are here proves you are OK.
But.... that is very scary reaction to a very bad trauma in your life. That is one of the toughest things people go through, but your reaction was to go from "no abuse" to out of control abuse. My worry is now that you are "better" what is the next crisis that is gonna throw you over to out of control abuse? Especially going into the medical field, you need to really evaluate this so you con't ind up in jail down the line diverting drugs.... I know this sounds alarmist, but that is a very severe reaction to a stressor. You mentioned no insurance and money is prob tight..... how about going to narcotics anonymous meetings.... they are free and you will learn a lot about yourself...... I hope this helps