Liver function tests symptoms and conditions

I am a 37 year old man who weighed approximately 188lbs when I prescribed 20mg of Lipitor and fish oil to combat my high triglycerides(437) and my high total cholesterol(212) in August of 2009. I have a high stress job and was experiencing occasional chest pain and heart palpitations. In addition, I have psoriasis and psoriasis arthritis and take Enbrel injections weekly. Prior to taking Lipitor, I had normal liver function tests.

At the same time that I began the fish oil and Lipitor, I began to change my eating habits and began a regular exercise routine. I began to feel better and lose weight. I was enthused about my progress. I took my Lipitor at night, however, I found it difficult to get up in the mornings and I was a little more tired than normal.

Roughly 3 months after beginning Lipitor, I developed a condition of EXTREME thirst. Blood tests from my doctor revealed elevated Liver Levels. His first inclination was that it was Lipitor so I stopped taking it ASAP. A subsequent test a week later indicated little improvement in my liver tests. My doctor suggested we give it two more weeks to test it. I just got my tests back and they actually increased!(ALT 197, AST 90, ALP 571).

My cardiologist does not have anything to suggest other than the possibility of a fatty liver, gall stones, or liver disease. His recommendation was that I get an ultrasound next week of my liver and meet with a GI doctor.

My excessive thirst and fatigue continues. I am not jaundiced but I do frequently experience dark urine. I weigh myself every morning and my weight is now down to 174. I seem to be losing very gradual weight now though my eating habits have returned to my old routine. This worries me. I am now worried that this drug triggered something terrible in my system. Does anyone have any advice?

I am a 50 yr. old female diagnosed with diabetes 10 months ago. Tried Metformin for a couple of weeks and feet started swelling significantly. Have been on Januvia and Starlix since March '09. Just spent 9 days in the hospital with PNEUMONIA in my right lung only. Drs. are considering the fact that I have a very ENLARGED LIVER (19 cm. avg. is 12 cm) to be the cause of my pneumonia and having 3 liters of fluid removed from right lung cavity as the cause for my pneumonia. Liver function tests show liver is working fine. Anyone else have enlarged liver problems or pneumonia while on Januvia? I'm off it now and dreading what will happen to my sugar level. I also take ENBREL for my psoriatic arthritis and stopped it when my pneumonia developed.

I am a 65-year-old female. I was given Lipitor 10mg in Feb 07, which I appeared to tolerate, with the effect of reducing my high familial cholesterol. Because of a genetic enzyme problem, I am careful about my diet; having been a vegetarian for decades. I don’t smoke, and rarely have wine. By May that year my GP increased the dose to 20mg., but days later I was sent to A + E with cardiac concerns. The hospital adamant it had nothing to do with Lipitor.

By mid 2008 I told my GP of dizzy spells, and loss of balance, also swallowing difficulties, but after liver function tests I was reassured it couldn’t possibly be Lipitor.

Early October 08, saw me in hospital with a ‘stroke’, although the CAT scan and MRI were puzzling. I was sent home with no help or guidance after the Consultant insisted Lipitor was not a problem, and I should not reduce it, as it was already a very low dose. Unable to walk to the end of my street, my calf muscles feeling as though I’d run a marathon, and experiencing cardiac stress. Severe neck and shoulder pains, and confusion with words. Frequent muscle spasms in my feet, legs and hands, etc. etc. No energy for anything, and so difficult coping - living alone. End of Dec. a friend from out of town visited, and was alarmed, as she’d researched a web site for her brother, who was using a walking frame. I was astounded at the reports from users of Lipitor, so many suffering in the same way. Although my GP had arranged more laboratory tests for me, I was not prepared to wait.

On 6th January 2009, (almost 2 years later) I reduced my dosage to 10mg., and within days was experiencing improvement in many areas. By 17th January, I reduced to 5mg., (maybe a little hasty) and by 24th stopped it. By 28th my GP could see for himself, the considerable improvement generally, with a lower blood pressure reading.

By then, I could complete half, of what used to be my regular walking regime. To date, I am able to cover more than that, and hope I will eventually be able to cover the full distance. I’m hoping there will be no lasting damage, but am so thankful that my friend found this website. Its scary to think I had no quality of life, and doubt I would have survived more Lipitor. So I’m taking my chances with high cholesterol, and a near normal life.

M.

New Zealand

I am 54, I was diagnosed with diabetes type l in 2003. I started showing high cholesterol levels about 2 years ago. When it reached 280 I was prescribed Lipitor 10 mg at first after no improvement it was increased to 20mg. I was very much against this. I have problems with muscle pain, and dizziness.
I checked into an alternative from a doctor who is an MD but prefers natural solutions if possible. I stopped the Lipitor without the knowledge of my primary physician and started taking fish oil 3600mg daily in the evening.
9 weeks later both my cholesterol and triglycerides were normal. I told him about the fish oil, but he wanted me to continue the Lipitor, because diabetics should be on some type of statin medication to help protect the heart. I have visited a couple of sites and haven't anyone talking about liver function problems. I have had an ultra sound for my liver which showed some problems, I am still waiting on some of the tests to return. I also have an appointment to schedule a liver biopsy. When reading my first lab results his first words were." Your results are uncommonly abnormal, stop taking the Lipitor, I am going down and get an ultra sound set up for you." "You might be thinking it could be the diabetes causing this. My diabetes is completely under control, and haven't tested high sugar levels since first diagnosed. I don't drink or smoke. I would like to know if others have had problems with liver function tests being abnormal. Please everyone remember my doctors first response to the abnormal tests stop the Lipitor immediately, it wasn't let's run some other tests to see the cause, because you need the Lipitor as protection for your heart. This medication works in the liver which we only have one of, and it is an extremely vital organ for maintaining health on several levels.

This is a total nightmare and i need advice! I was on Lamictal for a year and about six months into my health began to slowly deteriorate. It started with shortness of breath and heart palpitations and eventually attacked every system of my body. My symptoms are muscle pain, spasms and knots to the point that i can't turn my neck sometimes, joint pain (mostly knees), stabbing floating pain everywhere, headaches, frightening tingling in my extremities and a few times my entire body, sore throat, flu-like feelings, stomach cramps, bloating and heartburn. The list goes on. I have been off of it now for two weeks. My psychiatrist has never seen this type of reaction before and is not convinced it is the Lamictal. I have been to every single type of doctor and the ER twice, had extensive lab work, CT scan and two MRIs. I have been off Lamictal now for two weeks and am not feeling much relief. I am so scared and frustrated and please need advice. Has anyone else experienced this? Does it ever go away? I feel like I am literally living a nightmare with no-one to turn to for advice because no-one seems to know ANYTHING!!!!

The hard truth about sustained release niacin ( NIASPAN) The Drug Niaspan will raise your HDL, but the prescribing physician won't tell you that this drug has one of the highest drop out rates. The reason? The side effects are unbearable for most people.

The posting below states that "Niaspan WILL save your life" Not true! The niaspan website fully admits that Niaspan is not to be taken to prevent a heart attack if you have never had one. So far there is no proof that Niaspan will prevent a cardiac event. But there is proof it will alter your blood lipids.

Niaspan can damage your liver. That is why liver function tests are routinly done for those taking the drug. It is toxic doses of Vitamin B3 which results in the horror stories you read in this.
Niaspan can damage your muscles. Taking this and other cholesterol lowering drugs only add to your health risks.

Be smart. Eat right and exercise. Its the best thing you can do for your health.

Good luck.

I'm 49 years of age and have been taking 20mgs of Lisinopril for 5 years now, due to high blood pressure-It seems to have my blood pressure under control, but I have since been diagnosed with stage ll diabetes with slightly abnormal liver function tests, which surprises me since I know of no family history!-Has anyone else experienced anything similar? - Could this be a side effect?
Regards
Rick from Oz

ARE YOU EXPERIENCING ANY OF THESE
LIPITOR SIDE EFFECTS??

The following adverse events were reported, regardless of causality assessment in patients treated with atorvastatin in clinical trials. The events in italics occurred in >2% of patients and the events in plain type occurred in <2% of patients.

Body as a Whole: Chest pain, face edema, fever, neck rigidity, malaise, photosensitivity reaction, generalized edema.

Digestive System: Nausea, gastroenteritis, liver function tests abnormal, colitis, vomiting, gastritis, dry mouth, rectal hemorrhage, esophagitis. eructation, glossitis, mouth ulceration, anorexia, increased appetite, stomatitis, biliary pain, cheilitis, duodenal ulcer, dysphagia, enteritis, melena, gum hemorrhage, stomach ulcer, tenesmus, ulcerative stomatitis, hepatitis, pancreatitis, cholestatic jaundice.

Respiratory System: Bronchitis, rhinitis, pneumonia, dyspnea, asthma, epistaxis.

Nervous System: Insomnia, dizziness, paresthesia, somnolence, amnesia, abnormal dreams, libido decreased, emotional lability, incoordination, peripheral neuropathy, torticollis, facial paralysis, hyperkinesia, depression, hypesthesis, hypertonia.

Musculoskeletal System: Arthritis, leg cramps, bursitis, tenosynovitis, myasthenia, tendinous contracture, myositis.

Skin and Appendages: Pruritus, contact dermatitis, alopecia, dry skin, sweating, acne, urticaria, eczema, seborrhea, skin ulcer.

Urogenital System: Urinary tract infection, urinary frequency, cystitis, hematuria, impotence, dysuria, kidney calculus, nocturia, epididymitis, fibrocystic breast, vaginal hemorrhage, albuminuria, breast enlargement, metrorrhagia, nephritis, urinary incontinence, urinary retention, urinary urgency, abnormal ejaculation, uterine hemorrhage.

Special Senses: Amblyopia, tinnitus, dry eyes, refraction disorder, eye hemorrhage, deafness, glaucoma, parosmia, taste loss, taste perversion.

Cardiovascular System: Palpitation, vasodilatation, syncope, migraine, postural hypotension, phlebitis, arrhythmia, angina pectoris, hypertension.

Metabolic and Nutrtional Disorders: Peripheral edema, hyperglycemia, creatine phosphokinase increased, gout, weight gain, hypoglycemia.

Hemic and Lymphatic System: Ecchymosis, anemia, lymphadenopathy, thrombocytopenia, petechia.

Post Introduction Reports

Adverse events assocaited with atorvastatin that have been received since market introduction, that are not listed above, and that may have causal relationship to drug include the following: angioneurotic edema and rhabdomyolysis.

My hubby has been on efexor for about 2 years, before that he was on prozac. Due to liver function tests my huband was told to start cut down his dose until he was down to 37.5 only" over a 2 week period". Hubby has now been on the 37.5 for about 2 months. He is in bed now cos w was feeling sick,dizzy and a migrain type headache." this same thing has happened alot now. He is always very tired moody and can sleep up to 3 hours in the day At night he wakes every 2 hours but does manage to go back to sleep after awhile but 2 hours later he's awake again. He itches till he bleeds but his sweating is much better. All in all I can see him going back down hill. He is very short tempered , tired and fed-up with everything.

Huge side effects after the second shot, never went back for the third. I've been to three doctors, two ER's and my partner called the police to take my to a psychiatic hospital. My liver function tests (AST and ALT) are abnormal. I have no memory, blurred eyesight, and generally unable to function at the simpliest task. I have called the FDA and filed a med watch form and called TAP pharm.

PLEASE everyone call TAP pharm (they know Lupron is bad) the number is ****** and the FDA ******

I have greatly improved by going to a Chinese trained physician, I highly recommend it. WE all have to complain.

I've been on Yasmin since October and been suffering stomach problems on and off since then, but nothing like the last two weeks:
Anyone heard about Yasmin actually CAUSING liver problems? I've never had anything like this. My liver function tests are through the roof and I've been sick/tired/lethargic. I'd appreciate any input into this.

Also, I'd lost 10 kg and kept it off for a year, but since Yasmin 5 have come back on :(

I am a 47 year old male who had a heart attack in march of 1993. I have had angioplasty three times with stent implants during the last two procedure's. My primary care physician thought it would be to my benefit to take Zocor. I have been taking 20mg a day for the past 4 years. During the past few months I have been having pain in my right elbow and lack of strength in my arm. I also have been having a steady dull pain in my right leg which runs from my thigh down through my knee and calf. I have had liver function tests done once a year because of an earlier bout with hepatitis and alcohol abuse, but the tests show that my liver is working fine. Does this sound like it could be a side effect of the Zocr?

Xanax is much maligned but was my saviour after having a total personality change with the onset of undiagnosed fibromyalgia. I held out for 18 months. I have taken Xanax for 8 1/2 years now and suffer no bad side effects except I'm sure it has helped me gain 30kg!(depressing in itself). Doctors don't seem concerned that I have taken it for so long. In fact a few have said I will probably be on it for life (a scary thougt for someone who hates having to rely on drugs but has to have a life). I have had a couple of dodgy liver function tests and have to have another one. This, I wonder, could be a side effect of long term use of Xanax? Is this harmful? Any comments welcome.