I was young and I was healthy. I did not drink alcohol. However, at the age of 22 I nearly died of liver failure. How did that happen? Let me tell you my story.
My husband and I were in college at the time and I was working at a local veterinarian’s office as a technician. I had been feeling somewhat run-down and weak for a few days, but had no other symptoms. Finally, after work one day, I came home and collapsed into a heap and had a temperature of 105 degrees F. I had no other symptoms, at the time, and was alarmed, of course. I phoned my uncle, who was my family physician and inquired as to what to do about my situation. I was advised to drink lots of fluids and take Tylenol (acetaminophen) for the fever.
The Tylenol was not bringing the temperature down below 102.5 degrees F and I developed a terrible sore throat. It was obvious I had strep throat or some kind of nasty virus. My uncle had a cold and was unable to see me, so I went to the university medical clinic. This was a couple of days after the initial fever had spiked and I had noted that my urine was dark brown, almost like black coffee. Being unaware, I thought it was simply dehydration.
The university medical clinic thought I had mononucleosis. As a matter of fact, they were sure of it and sent me to have a liver ultrasound. That revealed some serious issues. My liver and spleen were extremely swollen and I was a very sick person. The mono tests were all negative.
My husband took me to my uncle’s office with my ultrasound results and he, as well, thought I had a severe case of mono that had caused my liver to swell. My liver, at this point, was swollen clear down into my pelvic region. Blood was drawn and everything was abnormal. My mono tests were still coming back negative.
So more blood tests were taken to test for a variety of viruses. Again, all of them were negative. My abdomen was very painful due to the hepatitis (swelling of the liver that can be caused by anything). I was extremely jaundiced and was bedfast at this point. My husband had to bathe me, take me to the bathroom, and care for me in every way. It was a frightening time and I have to admit that I started to suspect that I had cancer or something terrible. I was still taking Tylenol, as per the instructions, for the pain and lingering fever.
Finally, I went to my uncle’s office for some more blood work and it was determined that I should be sent to a gastroenterologist. They were all convinced I had hepatitis C somehow (I did not). I was so sick at this point that they had to put me in my uncle’s private office on his couch because I couldn’t sit upright. He came into the office and looked at me, incredulous, and asked me, “Are you taking ANYTHING at all? Medications, just anything?”
“Only the Tylenol for my pain and fever,” I replied.
He looked a bit taken aback and told me to immediately stop taking the Tylenol and switch to ibuprofen. An appointment was made with a friend of his who is a gastroenterologist and I was scheduled to go a week later. I wasn’t sure I was going to live that long, to be honest.
Strangely enough, during the week, I started to feel a bit better and stronger. The time came for my appointment and the gastroenterologist noted that my liver was decreasing in size. He asked me if I had done anything any different and the only thing I had changed was to stop taking the Tylenol. He was still convinced I had hepatitis C or several other things (all of which could kill me). He was wrong.
The reason, obviously, that my liver failed and I nearly died was due to the Tylenol I was taking. It is written in many different journals and news articles that Tylenol can cause liver failure and damage if taken in excessive doses or if you drink while you are taking it. I am here to tell everyone reading this that I had done neither. I simply took the acetaminophen in the recommended doses for a common malady and ended up almost dying.
Even today, nearly 13 years later, I do not take even one Tylenol or acetaminophen product for any reason whatsoever. Since this is the only type of pain reliever that is allowed during pregnancy, I had some trying times during my three pregnancies and deliveries. I will never take Tylenol for any reason ever again. I do not give it to my children. I highly recommend caution to anyone who takes this medication.
I am not a scientist or a medical professional. This is simply my story. It took nearly three months for me to recover and cost me the last semester of my university education. My best advice to everyone is to think before you take any medication and try to avoid all of it if possible…especially products with Tylenol (acetaminophen).
