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NSAIDS and Primary Biliary Cirrohsis

My mother (Age 62) has been diagnosed with PBC, confirmed by Liver Biopsy (Stage III), blood and liver function tests.  She is relatively healthy, having no major symptoms except occasional fatigue.  However, she is suffering from back/buttocks/leg pain and probably would benefit from anti inflammatory medication.  Pain is worse with sitting or climbing stairs. Lumbar MRIs are negative, and hip radiographs suggested no significant degeneration.  A hip injection with Marcane/Cortizone failed to provide immediate relief,  suggesting her hip joint is not the cause of the pain.  She did experience some relief 48 after the injection, perhaps due to  absorption of the cortisone.  She may have a condition known as piriformis syndrome, or some other peripheral nerve phenomenon.
What anti inflammatory therapy would be safest to her liver?  She is reluctant to take medication (sometimes even when the doc says its OK !!)  What, if any, NSAIDS would be beneficial?  What are the risks to her liver with short or long term use?  Thank you.  AndyS
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Avatar universal
I am 57 and am being tested for Primary Biliary Cirrohsis also.
I also felt extremely healthy until September when I started a new job teaching via internet. I have awful pain in buttocks, hips, pain walking and especially climbing stairs. Trips to the doctor brought about many tests and I was found to have elevated liver enzymes, esp Alkaline phosphatese. I've had liver ultrasound (diagnosed fatty liver), CT scan, MRI. My family doctor sent me to a gastroenterologist who ordered new tests and suspects Primary Biliary Cirrohsis. I'll find out soon, I hope.  In the meanwhile, I have stopped taking the Ibuprofen on my own thinking that perhaps it is caused by too much or a sensitivity.  I am not overweight, do not drink and have tested negative for all the hepatitis.  
   Did your mother take Ibuprofen?  What has been found to be the cause for her illness?  I am concerned as to the prognosis of this disease.  Is there any advice you can share with me? Thanks so much, Mary
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Avatar universal
I have liver disease. My doctor says tylenol is safe, because ibu-profen or aspirin may cause me to bleed internally. What he neglected to tell me is what I learned about tylenol from pharmacists and research. If tylenol had to be tested today for FDA approval it would fail because of the potential to damage the liver. (I take ibu-profen and aspirin on occasion when I need headche relief) I haven't had any problems in the last 8 years. Do your homework. Don't believe evrything a doctor reccommends is the best for you. They spend most of their school years studying the body, disorders, disease, procedures, etc. Do you really think they have time to study the chemistry of drugs and their effects? That is more for the pharmacist if you ask me.
Anti-inflamatory drugs in general are hard on the body. Probably moreso on the liver. God bless you all and I wish only the best for you.
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Avatar universal
I have liver disease. My doctor says tylenol is safe, because ibu-profen or aspirin may cause me to bleed internally. What he neglected to tell me is what I learned about tylenol from pharmacists and research. If tylenol had to be tested today for FDA approval it would fail because of the potential to damage the liver. (I take ibu-profen and aspirin on occasion when I need headche relief) I haven't had any problems in the last 8 years. Do your homework. Don't believe evrything a doctor reccommends is the best for you. They spend most of their school years studying the body, disorders, disease, procedures, etc. Do you really think they have time to study the chemistry of drugs and their effects? That is more for the pharmacist if you ask me.
Anti-inflamatory drugs in general are hard on the body. Probably moreso on the liver. God bless you all and I wish only the best for you.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
By the way, I have some peripheral neuropathy as well.  It stinks.  As I understand it Neurontin is VERY liver safe, and helps many people with neuropathy.  I am not taking it now, but may start on it soon.  My mom takes it and says it helps.  Talk to a neurologist...I have been told by many doctors that it is safe for people with liver disease.

Rebecca
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I have autoimmune hepatitis...similar to PBC.  She should really ask her doctor about this and go with what they say.  Most doctors still recommend Tylenol as the safest for the liver.  I know that sounds strange, because in large prolonged doses Tylenol can damage the liver BUT my docs all tell me in low moderate doses, it is still the safest one.  BE SURE TO ASK HER DOCTOR THOUGH!  I take Tylenol regular strength when I have lots of pain, but if just mild pain I take nothing and live with it.  I don't take Tylenol very often, so am not worried about it.  If she needs something daily there may be some prescription NSAID that will work and be safe...ask a hepatologist, for sure.

Best, Rebecca
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