Guest guest Posted June 2, 2006 Report Share Posted June 2, 2006 People react very differently to medications so the doctors have to start out with what on average helps more people and then look of reasons to change. Often reactions to medications such as your increased liver enzymes happen rapidly while benefits of the medications happen slowly. Of course the opposite can also be true that reactions can be slow and benefits can be fast so each person has to be watched to see how they respond to each medication. Liver enzymes usually return to normal fairly soon after the medication is stopped but again people do respond differently. I have heard that milk thistle is sometimes good for liver cleansing but I have never had occasion to use it myself. I think it is available from a health food store. I have no idea of foods to avoid except that alcohol is bad for the liver. I think a call to both your rheumatologist and your naturopath would be in order. I am not medically trained but I do read quite a bit. Obviously your doctor not checking to see what medications you were on before calling is not good but since most people with RA are on Methotrexate and Methotrexate is hard on the liver it is not a terrible mistake. The important thing is that you were on a medication that was likely to have increased your liver enzymes so you should stop the medication. That important part was correct by the doctor. Unfortunately RA is not an easy disease to treat or to cope with. Most people respond well to a medication such as Methotrexate or Arava and never come to a board like this, or leave it quickly because they can almost forget about their RA. However, some have more problems and need the information and support available from a board like this. We all have to be aware of the possible dangers of any medication, and also be aware of the likely permanent joint damage that happens if we don’t treat RA aggressively enough. All of us have to verify that the treatment recommended by the doctor is best for us because even the best doctors do not always get things right. I hope you get your RA under control. God bless. From: Rheumatoid Arthritis [mailto:Rheumatoid Arthritis ] On Behalf Of snowdrift52003 Sent: Friday, June 02, 2006 4:33 AM Rheumatoid Arthritis Subject: Off Arava Got a call from the rheumy yesterday. My liver enzymes were 4 times higher than they should be, so I'm off Arava after only 3 weeks. I've been feeling so well lately, but that's probably not due to the Arava as I was told it takes at least 4 weeks to help. I was resting when the doctor called and then I was in a bit of shock about the news so I forgot to ask the doctor some questions. Maybe you can help. Will stoppping the med be enough to restore my liver to health? Is there anything I can do with diet to support liver detoxification and healing? Any foods I should avoid? (I'm thinking fats are a no-no and lots of lemonade would be a good idea.) I have an appointment with a naturopath in two weeks. Seems like great timing. Once again, I questioned my doctor's quality of care. When she called, she thought I was on methotrexate! She makes so many mistakes because she's TOO RUSHED all the time. But I've seen two other rheumys and she's better than they were. There's a shortage of rheumys in my area and they're all overworked. I know this is irrational, but I feel a bit distrustful again because she gave me something that harmed me. I knew the risks, but I still have this feeling of " I trusted you and look what happened! " Any thoughts? Sierra Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 2, 2006 Report Share Posted June 2, 2006 folic acid should help with your liver. At least 1mg per day. Helen P NW Ohiosnowdrift52003 <snowdrift52003@...> wrote: Got a call from the rheumy yesterday. My liver enzymes were 4 times higher than they should be, so I'm off Arava after only 3 weeks. I've been feeling so well lately, but that's probably not due to the Arava as I was told it takes at least 4 weeks to help. I was resting when the doctor called and then I was in a bit of shock about the news so I forgot to ask the doctor some questions. Maybe you can help. Will stoppping the med be enough to restore my liver to health? Is there anything I can do with diet to support liver detoxification and healing? Any foods I should avoid? (I'm thinking fats are a no-no and lots of lemonade would be a good idea.) I have an appointment with a naturopath in two weeks. Seems like great timing. Once again, I questioned my doctor's quality of care. When she called, she thought I was on methotrexate! She makes so many mistakes because she's TOO RUSHED all the time. But I've seen two other rheumys and she's better than they were. There's a shortage of rheumys in my area and they're all overworked. I know this is irrational, but I feel a bit distrustful again because she gave me something that harmed me. I knew the risks, but I still have this feeling of "I trusted you and look what happened!" Any thoughts? Sierra Feel free to call! Free PC-to-PC calls. Low rates on PC-to-Phone. Get Messenger with Voice Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 2, 2006 Report Share Posted June 2, 2006 I agree with Harold - definately no alcohol. Not only for the damage it can do to the liver but also because of swelling of ankles and feet, high blood pressure and the problems associated with that. Last fall I had a couple of wine cooler -1 each day for 4 days and I ended up swelling up and having a tia. Scared me. I had had some alcohol that summer too and swelled up but didn't link that to the alcohol - thought it was just a salt reaction. So now I don't have the occassional drink at all and don't even cook with it. (My blood pressure had always been on the low size even with my increased weight except when I was pregnant.) Helen Ring'em or ping'em. Make PC-to-phone calls as low as 1¢/min with Messenger with Voice. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 3, 2006 Report Share Posted June 3, 2006 Sierra, Milk thistle helped my liver quickly!! Kay in La. ----- Original Message ----- From: snowdrift52003 Rheumatoid Arthritis Sent: Friday, June 02, 2006 6:32 AM Subject: Off Arava Got a call from the rheumy yesterday. My liver enzymes were 4 times higher than they should be, so I'm off Arava after only 3 weeks. I've been feeling so well lately, but that's probably not due to the Arava as I was told it takes at least 4 weeks to help.I was resting when the doctor called and then I was in a bit of shock about the news so I forgot to ask the doctor some questions. Maybe you can help. Will stoppping the med be enough to restore my liver to health? Is there anything I can do with diet to support liver detoxification and healing? Any foods I should avoid? (I'm thinking fats are a no-no and lots of lemonade would be a good idea.)I have an appointment with a naturopath in two weeks. Seems like great timing.Once again, I questioned my doctor's quality of care. When she called, she thought I was on methotrexate! She makes so many mistakes because she's TOO RUSHED all the time. But I've seen two other rheumys and she's better than they were. There's a shortage of rheumys in my area and they're all overworked. I know this is irrational, but I feel a bit distrustful again because she gave me something that harmed me. I knew the risks, but I still have this feeling of "I trusted you and look what happened!"Any thoughts?Sierra Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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