With liver disease, OTC medicines aren’t always the answer for a cold

Have you ever had an off week?

I suppose that’s what I’m dealing with this week. After rushing around to pull together my daughter’s homecoming attire, we had no luck finding the right shoes. We finally resigned ourselves to making do with what she has. I was relieved but exhausted, and I woke up this morning with a wretched cold.

Last week, during orientation for my new job, I grabbed the last easily accessible seat. Unfortunately, it came with a man who spent the morning coughing in my face. I requested a face mask, which was provided, but I suspected I’d still get sick.

I hate being right about things like this.

When you’re living with a chronic illness, even an ordinary cold can become complicated. Many over-the-counter (OTC) medications require special consideration when you have metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH) and cirrhosis.

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My training class let us go two hours early Thursday, and I was relieved. I came home, took care of my cats, and texted with my daughter about her dance. Then came the crash.

When I awoke, the clock said 8. I thought it was morning. It wasn’t until I received notifications that my ride had arrived (I currently don’t drive) that I realized it was still Thursday. It was 8 p.m.!

I felt silly canceling the ride, but fortunately, the driver was understanding.

Now, through wheezing breaths that make me sound like Darth Vader’s daughter in Baltimore, I’m writing this.

I wish I had more options for medications. Unfortunately, some cold remedies can cause problems for people with advanced liver disease.

Take acetaminophen, for example. Found in many combination cold medicines, taking too much can cause serious liver damage. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration warns against accidentally doubling up on products containing it.

Then there are nonsteroidal anti-inflammatories (NSAIDs), including ibuprofen and naproxen. These can increase the risk of bleeding, kidney problems, and fluid retention in cirrhotic patients. The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs offers medication guidance explaining these risks.

This is very much a “talk to your doctor” moment.

I emailed my primary care provider for advice. She’s a thorough professional who cares deeply about my health. She explains her reasoning, particularly when prescribing medications that might affect my liver.

I wish everyone had that kind of relationship with their doctors. Building a partnership with your healthcare team means asking questions, sharing concerns, and making decisions together. I’m grateful for the medical professionals who keep me and my liver out of trouble.

So far, rest has been my best medicine. Colds often amplify my existing aches and pains. I took doctor-approved acetaminophen for my headache, shoulder pain, and chest discomfort. However, I still wish I had better relief from the coughing and congestion.

Every time I research another cold medication, its warnings give me another reason to keep it out of my online shopping cart.

Sometimes it’s hard to know what’s best when you’re sick, especially when you’re dealing with something as ordinary as a cold.

I also want to get my flu, COVID-19, and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccinations this season. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends RSV vaccination for adults ages 50 to 74 who are at increased risk of severe illness. At 57, I’ll discuss my eligibility and timing with my doctor.

I haven’t had the flu in years, and I’ve never had COVID-19. I’d like to keep those streaks alive! But vaccines help reduce serious illness, not guarantee that we’ll avoid infections altogether.

Since I’m currently sick, I’ll also ask when it’s appropriate to get vaccinated. No fever doesn’t automatically mean I’m ready.

I’m not taking unnecessary chances this winter. I’m preparing for future surgeries, and a respiratory infection could postpone them in the blink of an eye.

Tomorrow, I’ll make a travel mug of hot black tea with honey and lemon, my mother’s favorite cold remedy. For a more luxurious experience, try her trick: Cut a lemon in half, microwave one half briefly (30 seconds is usually long enough), scoop out the warm pulp and add it to your tea with honey to soften the tartness. It’s one of my secrets to surviving a miserable cold.

I hope cold and flu season passes you by. I’d love to hide from every circulating bug, but somehow, they always find me.

Now, please excuse me while I retrieve the lung that escaped during my last coughing fit. I hear they’re slippery suckers.

Note: Liver Disease News is strictly a news and information website about the disease. It does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. This content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website. The opinions expressed in this column are not those of Liver Disease News or its parent company, Bionews, and are intended to spark discussion about issues pertaining to liver disease.