I Felt Dizzy After Getting Out Of Bed Last Wednesday,

Posted on Mon, 3 Feb 2020

Question: I felt dizzy after getting out of bed last Wednesday, then it got better. Later that day, I got a really bad headache, slightly nauseous no vomiting. Headache mostly gone the next day but still a bit sore. The next 3 days, i felt really tired and had no energy. Following these 3 days, I started coughing,, chills, sweats, body aches, sore throat, sneezing, temperature was high normal. No energy, no appetite. I had the flu shot this fall. I've been taking tylenol cold (only 1 at the time and the only thing I took except last night I took pantoprazole 40mg for heartburn) every 4 or 8 hours, when intolerable. I realize this is the flu and started feeling much better. This morning just a small headache when I cough (almost all gone now) and trouble hearing, ears feels full but no earache. Yesterday, I had watery diarrhoea once in the morning and again this morning, no cramping, It had a very foul odour nothing I've ever experienced before. Is this part of the flu or because of tylenol?

Follow up: Dr. AJEET SINGH (57 minutes later)

I worry greatly about tylenol and my liver. I had liver blood test done last year and they where normal. I've been having pain upper right under rib cage last month on an off, like a pinch. I've been taking pantoprazole 40mg and the pain completely gone after 2 weeks. I have hx of drinking 2-3 drinks a day for many years so worry about liver. I had to take tylenol for this flu and was worried about it. I have no other symptoms today other than watery stools twice. no nausea, no pain, not tired, everything pretty much normal following a flu. looking for reassurance I didn't overdose or damage liver with tylenol even at low doses. I have not drank any alcohol since January 01

Follow up: Dr. AJEET SINGH (4 minutes later)

Forgot to add, I have no appetite so I have had very little to eat the last 3 days. yesterday 1 orange, 1 toast, small slice of pizza. nothing yet today

Follow up: Dr. AJEET SINGH (16 minutes later)

This is when I took tylenol cold: Well below recommended maximum dose.
Wednesday 15th XXXXXXX one tylenol cold extra strenght at 0645 am, one at 1015 am, one at 4:05pm and one tylenol 325mg 1015 pm.
on Thursday one tylenol cold extra strenght at 0640 am, one at 3:15 pm.
no pain, nausea or nothing other than no appetite and watery stool this am
Should I worry about overdose or liver damage? thank you for the help

Answered by Dr. AJEET SINGH (17 hours later)

Brief Answer:
TYLENOL AND HEPATIC DAMAGE

Detailed Answer:
Hi...
Welcome to 'Ask a Doctor" service.

I have gone through your query and here is my opinion.

Most of your symptoms are due to catarrh which is quite common after a flu shot.
They would wean off with time.

Tylenol is generally a safe drug and has no adverse effects on kidney and liver in recommended doses.
As you have not taken the overdose,so liver damage is very unlikely.

Tylenol has a half-life of up to 3 hours in blood and all of the drug would have passed out through the urine within next 24 hours.

Even if there is a drug induced liver damage,a healthy liver usually repairs, regenerates and recovers fully and no complication arise.

Please take rich fiber diet,avoid fatty-greasy meals,stay well hydrated,avoid alcohol and don't overthink.
Do not take any medicine without medical supervision and take only as directed by physician.

Hope that I have answered your query.
Stay healthy and stay blessed.
Regards.

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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Nagamani Ng