Elmiron and elevated liver enzymes

[kiffy313]

Hi All,
Anyone ever have their liver enzymes come back elevated while on Elmiron? I have had 13 bladder instills and been on it orally for about 3 weeks. I also have been on Lipitor for several years. My Uro. ran a liver panel Tues., I had a message yesterday to call his office, when I did his staff was gone for the week-end, the receptionist could only tell me that my liver enzyme test was abnormal and I was to stop the med. The Dr.s office is to call me on Monday. Needless to say, I am "freaking out" a little. My blood tests have all been normal before, have had several due to the Lipitor. I am wondering if this is happening now because I am on 2 meds that can (rarely) cause it? Maybe the combo and all the other meds that can effect the liver are just too much together banghead ??? I am also very disappointed as I imagine the Dr. will discontinue the Elmiron therapy and I was so hoping it would work for me as it has for so many...Elmiron is the only med I am new on since my last test in July 2003. Any input would be greatly appreciated. Maybe the test is in error and all will be ok...Thanks "guys"
grouphug Kif

[vm]

Maybe he could run the test again in a few weeks, just to see? Could he try reducing your dosage, maybe, before discontinuing?

[SueP1]

A tip on the liver: My gyno, who's also a nutritionist, told me about milk thistle (silymarin), a supplement that's been used for hundreds of years to prevent liver toxicity. It was proven against poisonous mushrooms. I used it when I had abnormal liver enzymes, and the next test was normal. I later went on Elmiron, and (a huge knock on wood) have had normal liver bloods since. Most doctors would not tell you about this. I was lucky to have one who will at least give you choices. wink

[kiffy313]

Kim and Sue,
Thanks for the replies, Sue I will check into the milk thistle. My uro. has scheduled me to see a Gastroenterologist on 1-27, and he wants me to stay off the elmiron orally until we see what is going on...he is still going to do the weekly elmiron instills, and I am glad about that as I do know that on my last hydro with cysto my bladder lining looked better...I do hope it is just a fluke or a "fatty liver" like what my brother has, my whole family has high cholesterol and are on lipitor, so it could definitely be related to that. I have tried to control my high cholesterol with diet, lost 25 pounds, but the cholesterol only went from 301 to 289, hence the lipitor...Thanks for listening.
Take Care,
Kandy

[havingsuccess]

My liver enzymes are always high. I can't even give blood, they always send me a letter telling me they are high. My doctor has tested me for all hepatitis and so on and everything is normal. Mine have been normal while taking elmiron and then high when not taking it. I would guess that maybe he will just decrease the dose. It all depends on how high they were. Mine have gotten to like 150 before which is only a little high. Good Luck. Don't worry your doc will figure something out. There are lots of other cholesterol meds you could try if you want to continue the elmiron and he may want to just keep a closer check on your liver panels. Keep us updated.

Success

[kiffy313]

Hi all,
Once again, thanks for you input, care, and concern. I will definitely post when I know more. For right now, I am off of the lipitor and the elmiron orally until I see the Gastro. next week. I think maybe I am just on too many drugs that can effect the liver...I really have no idea, just thinking that it could be the residual effects of everything. I have had ibs for so long that any adbominal pain, bloating, discomfort I have, I always chalk it up to that. I always have the "poochy" stomach, full of gas, but that is not new for me. I think it is probably good to get everything checked, I have not seen the G.I. doc in over 5 years... eek
Take Care,
Kan

[Pisces228]

I'm glad I found your message. My husband is the one with IC. Last summer he switched to a new pain management doctor, who is also a Doctor of Osteopathy. He ran blood tests to check my husband's overall health, and discovered that my husband's liver enzymes were elevated. My husband was taking Elmiron back then, but has discontinued it because it seemed to have done it's job helping with his urination problems, and he wanted a break from taking so much medication. He needs to have another round of tests done soon, because he also had high triglycerides at the time, so it will be interesting to see if his enzyme levels have dropped since his discontinuation of Elmiron. When we find out, I will post it on the board.

[Julie Smith]

My liver enzymes were way high about 12 yrs.ago.I had hysterectomy a surgeon took a biopsy which showed I had a fatty liver. So all was ok and drs. said that is very common even though I was only 32.


I'm sure it's nothing dangerous so don't worry until it's time!

Betsie Wetsie--- Thanks so much for that website, WOW... great reference.

Love you all,
Julie hi