Question: Possible liver problem from Crestor or Undiagnosed Pre Existing Liver Condition?
I have been taking Amlodipine 10 Mg for 10 months. On Saturday May 16th I added HTZ 12.5 mg and Crestor 5 Mg. Here were my symptoms on May 1y 17th. Stomach Pain, Bloating, Sore Throat, Nausea, Diarrhea, Clay colored Stools and on Monday May 18th Hives in addition to other symptoms. I contacted the APRN at my Cardiologists Office and she said that I should have my Primary Check me for Strep Throat. The Diarrhea subsided, but I was still feeling Nausea, Fatigue, Sore Throat. I then saw my Primary on Wed May 20th. She then did a CDIF Blood Test. On Thursday I developed severe lower abdominal pain in my lower right side and it was very hard to the touch on my lower right abdominal area. On a scale of 1-10 it was about a 7. The pain moved up my right side to my pelvic bone and then literally up the side of my body about mid way, tingling sensation. The pain was a combination of short stabbing and tearing on the lower abdominal groin area and tingling on the middle right side I used this web site and was replied by 2 very highly rated Cardiologists, on Tuesday the 19th I was advised by one of the Cardiologists on what Blood Test to receive, and that it is probably Crestor that is doing this, however my Primary Care Doctor would not read the reply from the Cardiologist from this website, she said she was too busy and did not have a the time., and instead ordered a CDIFF Blood Test. On Thursday after I experienced the Pain I was advised again from this Website by a very highly rated Cardiologist to go to the ER and have a blood test to measure the enzymes for my liver and pancreas and to have an Ultrasound done, and most likely the symptoms could be caused by Crestor, and to check for liver damage. I did not go to the ER, because the last time I was there, 1 year ago the rules and regulations required a lot of tests and I was there for about 8 hours, they thought I was about to have a heart attack because of the edema in my legs and ankles. I decided never go back to the ER again unless I absolutely have to. On Thursday morning before the abdominal pain started, I received a phone call from my Primary telling me that the CDIF Blood Profile says that I am OK. The next day on Friday, The Pain in my right side reduced down to about a 3. I started using Aspirin and Tylenol for the pain. On Sunday Night I decided to take a Tramadol 50 Mg. Tramadol was prescribed for my Osteo Arthritis, I rarely take this drug because it is prescription pain killer. On Monday I started to feel better and did not feel as much pain it went down to about a 2 and all I felt was discomfort. I also decided to try walking and doing light yard work for excercise. I felt a mild discomfort that was it. Tramadol was like a wonder drug. On Tuesday the 26th, my abdominal and side pain subsided down to about a 2 with mild discomfort and I once again tried walking for excercise. Today my pain was down to about a 1 and I went walking and then to the Gym and used a Precor Eliptical walking Machine for about 30 minutes and then went home. Just before I went into the Gym I could feel sharp stabbing pain in my right side and then it went away. I was still feeling a lot of nausea.I exercised for about 30 minutes and went home. After the Gym my symptoms changed to fatigue, malaise and Nausea. with discomfort on my right side, On the side of my body and the front right. I contacted my Gastroenterologist this morning and I am waiting for his reply. I have also contacted my Cardiologist. My cardiologist sent me a letter which arrived at my home yesterday and the letter stated that based on the CDIFF blood test from last week, I am fine and I can resume using my blood pressure medicine and Crestor. I am not doing this. I have contacted my Cardiologist again this morning, his office called back and wanted more information. I provided the information they requested and I am waiting for his reply since this morning. It is now after 5:30 PM my time. My question to you is do you think I may have suffered any liver damage or damage to my Pancreas? I only took Crestor for 3 days at 5 mg doses and I also started HTZ at 12.5 mg doses. I almost followed the advice last Thursday from this Website to go to the ER. I just want to know based on my symptoms and information I have provided for you if you think my symptoms are being caused by my liver or pancreas or do you think I have a virus? This has been going on now for about 11 days, and started when I started Crestor and HTZ, my symptoms have been changing. I stopped the Crestor and Blood Pressure Medication on Tues the 19th. My Blood Pressure still seems Ok and my Cholesterol Profile was Borderline before being prescribed Crestor, and according to most online research that I have done it is not high enough to justify the use of Statin Drugs. I would really value your opinion as to whether you think I have a liver problem, or what ever you can tell me as a Gastroenterologist. if I should be concerned. Pain and discomfort are now in my lower right front abdomen, around a 2 olr 3 if I move around. In the past before all of this I have had the following symptoms: Edema in my legs which I was told was Advanced Venous Insufficiency, Exzema, Stomach Pain with distension which I was treating with Proton Pump Inhibitors and frequent headaches. I am wondering If I have been dealing with issues of the liver or Pancreas before Crestor and this is why I am having this experience? right now I am feeling alot of malaise and fatigue, I cannot function very well or do much.

Thank you Dr. Klerida
I have forwarded your reply over to a Gastroenterologist that I have seen before and I am awaiting his response. I will keep an eye on this condition. As of right now, the earliest appt I can get is for 06-10. However, at least he has this information prior to my appt. Unfortunately my Cardiologist was not very interested in the replies from the 2 cardiologist and has passed this issue off to whom ever I can find for Gastroenterology. Your answer was very helpful.
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Dr. Klerida
Thanks, I am actually getting a response back from my Gastroenterologist. I have copied and pasted your answer on a messaging system called My Chart that is part of XXXXXXX New XXXXXXX Health System. He will be calling me. I have also scheduled an appt with my primary for this afternoon. Your replies back are giving me valuable information to provide to my Dr.'s. My Gastroenterologist is going to respond to me directly. I believe this service provided important and valuable information to give to my Dr.'s.I will follow up with you as indicated on future questions.
Thanks again.
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Thanks, I will. I will have to open up another question when I get the results. Unfortunately I am also learning some hard lessons about how Dr.'s are responding to my using Health Care Magic. My Primary did order the Ultrasound after she examined me. When I asked her for the Blood Tests her reply was "Why don't you ask your online Cardiologist" referencing the answers I received from Dr. Shakra and Dr. Shehu last week in Cardiology. My Gastroenterologist never got back to me, I know he is busy, however with the symptoms that I have and the advice that you have offered, I thought he would of gotten back to me by now. I sent him 4 online messages and left at least 3 calls to his office and spoke to his assistant twice. My Cardiologist responded with a short phone call. I copied and pasted Dr. Sharka's response to his office last week, and his APRN called and responded with the answer that I should see my Primary for "Strep Throat." I will try to get the results to you, however I can no longer share this information or service directly with the Dr.'s I am seeing. My Primary went on to explain to me that she has 18 years of Post Secondary Education, that she is a Medical Dr. and that when I come into her office asking for a specific blood test she was actually insulted. She said it was like me coming in to her office "to order a Pizza." She was very angry and was yelling at me in the hallway of her office when she said this. She then said "'we are going to do this my way or no way at all", and then went on to tell me that "I read too much" She then went on about her education and how much more educated she is than me, and that with 18 years of her advanced education;she is the one with an opinion not me. That with my lack of an education I cannot ask for blood tests or inquire about other diagnostic procedures. Therefore I cannot share your information directly with any of my Doctors because I am concerned that they will actually become upset that I am using this service and not solely relying on them. Which I do not think is very fair. So I will get the results to you, but I have to be very careful in how I communicate with my Dr.'s so they do not feel upset that I am communicating with another Dr. I did not think I was going to get that kind of response. So much for collaboration. Oh well. At least I am getting better, slowly, but I am improving, very slowly without getting the medical help I think I need. Perhaps it is just the time away from Crestor. It will be almost 2 weeks.
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