[Moose72]

My liver doctor- even after he said my liver issues likely started with psych meds- told me to not stop taking my psych meds. That was last Wednesday. Today my mom told me to not stop them, too. Today he said I need a biopsy and I can be sedated if I want. I hope they don't use Ativan. I will need somebody to drive me. My mom even said I should take my meds because "we don't need that". Meh! I was upset today. I need a special diet and was told the diet clinic they want me to go to is $700 for 10 weeks! The dr also told me that some of the tests say I have cihrrosis and some say I do not so I need a biopsy. All of this because I made the choice to take psych meds. Yup. They started this disaster. I wrote about this in my blog this past Spring of what COULD happen with references and yup! My liver doctor confirmed it this past Wednesday- psych meds cause obesity which causes metabolic syndrome which causes. fatty liver which causes cihrrosis. I found the metabolic syndrome diet online and it makes sense- hope to get rid of high blood pressure high cholesterol, pre-diabetes.... And everybody wants me to stay on the drugs that are destroying me! I spent part of today crying because I'm going to die an early death if I can't pull off a miracle here. And my doctors- primary and pdoc- just sat and watched it all happen. I found a lot of info online about the metabolic diet- Its what they are teaching in that class. I also left a message for my primary- maybe I can see a regular nutrition a few time- I know my insurance will cover that.

[unaluna]

My gp has been complaining about my liver for years. He'd be like, "...and stop drinking so much, okay?" And id be like, but i dont drink!

So do you have NASH or what? Is your liver poofing waaaay out? I would say dont get too stressed out - that just raises your cortisol and makes our waistline even bigger. We cant win for losing, honestly.

Eta - yes, what i meant to say was, they raise the alarm, but then it doesnt kill ya, so im like wtf. And in the meantime, the condition makes it harder to lose wgt. So great.

[~Christina]

I’m sorry this is all overwhelming you right now, but I honestly would be feeling the same.

Like what the F do you do ???????

I say hang in there , get biopsy done and have a sit down with the Doctor for results.

Then you can map out a battle plan.

I do think for the time being you do need to stay your meds, you don’t need a manic or psychosis episode right now while your dealing with this liver illness.

Hang in there J

[sarahsweets]

I am sorry things are so tough. I used to be 300lbs and yes, some of those meds did affect my weight. The only thing that affected my liver though was the excess weight. I went the extreme route of having gastric bypass and it saved my life. I lost 127lbs and have kept it off for 10 years. Never had to stop my meds. My fatty liver disease is gone and my liver enzymes are perfect now. If you are obese its worth considering because a weight reduction can help with liver issues as well.

[MickeyCheeky]

That DOES seem stressful, @Moose72! :eek I am SO SORRY for what you're going through! Please NEVER give up Hope! KEEP FIGHTING, MY DEAR, SWEET FRIEND! Hopefully your Doctors will be able to Help You. Definitely KEEP FIGHTING as much as you can! Once things get more clear about what you're actually struggling with, you'll be able to get the Treatment you NEED and DESERVE! Please keep posting here if it helps. You know we ALL care about you. Get well soon, my dear, sweet friend! Keep fighting like you ALWAYS do and keep us updated on your situation if you want to! You know you can ALWAYS PM me ANYTIME! Feel free to ALWAYS do that and I'll try to get back at you AS SOON AS I POSSIBLY CAN! KEEP FIGHTING, MY DEAR, SWEET FRIEND! I hope you have someone supporting you IRL, but even if you don't, WE'RE HERE FOR YOU! THAT'S A PROMISE! Please ALWAYS remember that! I hope you'll get well REALLY SOON! KEEP FIGHTING, MY DEAR, SWEET FRIEND! YOU'RE STRONGER THAN YOU BELIEVE! Sending many safe, warm hugs BOTH you, @Moose72, and ALL of your Loved Ones!

Hi Moose. Your liver health results do sound stressful. I can't imagine anyone who wouldn't be stressed if a doctor told them there was a liver issue and a need for biopsy. I am not in your shoes, but it seems to me that if your doctors want you to stay on your medications (at least for now), there is a good reason. I would assume that if you were on the verge of death, they'd be looking for a liver transplant for you at this precise time. It doesn't sound like they are that panicked, though. I am sure that if the biopsy results show something that makes your doctors want you to stop medications (or at least change medications), you will be told. If you wonder, I urge you to ask your doctor(s) why they choose to keep you on bipolar medications, despite the liver scare. In the meantime, you have surely heard the line that goes something like "Your doctor may choose to keep you on medications despite side effects, if the alternative is deemed even more dangerous." Well, it sounds like at the moment, that might what they are thinking, and what your mother seems to have communicated.

Not all psych medications cause obesity. And some psych medications that cause obesity in some, don't in others. I understand your anger and fear from your situation. Obviously, others have horror stories, too. Perhaps some bipolar medications wouldn't affect your liver? Do you know the answer to that question? In my case, some bipolar medications have been quite friendly for me. Others not. Beware of the internet's blanket statements. I can say that the blanket statement that "all psych medications cause obesity" is just not true for me, and I take Seroquel XR. I'm glad sarahsweets shared about the improved health of her liver. I had two medications that caused issues, and changes made one disappear (a pituitary tumor) and one improve (my kidney functioning). The former was from an antipsychotic, but other antipsychotics did NOT cause the tumor. The tumor went away while on different antipsychotics.

Sending you hugs and well wishes.

[Victoria'smom]

When do you see your Dr again?

[Moose72]

I called and left a message with my primary to discuss all this. One of the nurses got back to me and I passed on the conversation with the liver dr from yesterday to be sent to my primary. And we discussed seeing a dietician that knows about metabolic syndrome.

I had a salad with chicken breast for lunch. Was supposed to go out with a friend tonight but she messaged me and said something came up. Urg... N3 and his gf and I walked the mall for an hour this morning. One down- only a billion more to go.

[~Christina]

Hang in there J

[Moose72]

Just left a message for my case manager. Hopefully she will call me back.

[luvyrself]

One of the things I have learned the hard way is that sometimes you have to change doctors or get a second opinion. I found the one psychopharmacologist in Phoenix. Maybe you need to consult one and a liver doctor. Dont change your meds until you get these opinions and the biopsy. Get all the opinions, take notes, then make a plan with the one you choose to be your team leader.

[Moose72]

The liver doctor I saw last week is a new doctor. I had a different one six months ago plus. The pdoc is the same - however I dont have many choices because Im on Medicaid.

[Pookyl]

It sounds awful.
Something to keep in mind is that all and any medications psych or non-psych are excreted through the body two ways: either through the liver or the kidneys.
Sadly I don’t think that there is a win-win situation when you have to take meds.

[Tucson]

I am sure this is distressing to you. My suggestion is use different meds, at least the *one* that has caused your negative diagnosis. I think it is best that you continue taking your other meds. Stopping all of them is like "throwing out the baby with the bath water", which IMO is very sef-defeating. Work this out with your pdoc. I would like to stop my own medication, but I know better, and what I would be like without meds. Of coarse, you probably know what you would be like without meds too. IMHO it is simply not worth it. Between Chaos and Stability, stability has better advantages.

You will get through this,

FWIW