Anyone take Milk Thistle for liver repair?

Good morning
I would talk to your transplant Dr. Milk thistle could possibly cause a rejection of your transplanted organ.

My husband took it prior to his transplant, with approval. Was told there is no proof it helps but nothing to indicate it hurts. Don't know if it helped or not.
After transplant we don't take anything, prescriptions from other doctors nor over the counter medications or additives without approval. We appreciate all the patience our Mayo Clinic Liver Transplant team has shown us with our messages.

Hi @echo2022. I have never taken milk thistle. My transplant was in 2009. In all honesty, I have never felt the need to add it or anything else to my vitamins/supplements unless recommended (or approved) by my transplant team. I personally have a bias against anything that ‘may help’. I encourage you to speak to your doctor because your transplanted liver is hopefully being well cared for with current transplant medications and monitoring.
Echo2022, Are you having symptoms that make you wonder about your liver health?

It has spread into my lymph notes in my chest. But the liver looks really good. Now no tumors they wany to put me on chemo now for that. I have been on immunotherapy and really do not want to go on chemo any suggestions?

@dmoceri31, I am trying to imagine how you must be feeling after learning about your lymph nodes. I looked back at your previous posts and remember that you were treated with y-90 for liver cancer in the past. Are you saying that cancer has spread to the lymph nodes in your chest? Is that why the doctors want you to have chemo?

You have been through a lot, already, and I can understand you not wanting to have more treatment. That is how I would feel! However, before you refuse the chemo, I would encourage you to talk to the oncologist about you and the chemo. Start a list of questions like the duration, and the possible side effects, your liver, immunosuppression,_and what can be done to control side effects. Write down anything and everything that you can think of.

There are many members who are taking chemo and i know that any one of them would be willing to share with you their thoughts and experiences. What are some questions about the chemo that you would like to ask here?

Using the Search function in the Transplants Support Group, I found a number of discussions related to Milk Thistle and liver transplant that might interest you.

See search results here: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/search/discussions/?search=Milk+thistle

I am studying in a community college. I often felt uncomfortable in the area of my liver in last semester. And there are red and very itchy bumps on my skin one after another like I was bit by the mosquito, but it is itchier, and it usually takes two weeks to go. It has been lasting for four months. In the blood tests, ALT was a little bit higher sometimes. Sometimes it was normal. My doctor just asked me to repeat the labs.
I reduced 1mg Tacrolimus since last year in the doctor's instruction. I guess the cause was that I was too tired, so I reduced the time on studying, but the bumps issue is still bothering me. I sent an email to my doctor's nurse （I'm not able to send messages to my doctor directly）, but she asked me to see the skin doctor. I suspect the bumps and unstable liver function are caused by the liver issue. It isn't a good signal. I had never happened it in last 15 years. A friend recommended the milk thistle. It could reduce immunosuppression drug toxicity. I sent an email to the nurse again. She said she would ask the pharmacist, but I've never heard back.

Yes, I sent an email to my doctor's nurse. She said she would ask the pharmacist, but I've never heard back.

I want to know who you consult to when you have the questions about the food and medication. I only can send emails to the doctor's nurse, but I don't think she knows it. She always responded me to see my family doctor, other doctors or she would ask the pharmacist, but I haven't heard back about the milk thistle.

@echo2022, I am fortunate to have a primary care doctor who is readily available, or I can ask my local pharmacist in person. They have an awareness and respect for my post transplant care needs and will refer me to transplant team when they are unsure.
While it is possible that the nurse is extra busy and considers this milk thistle question a non-urgent request, I think that I would re-send the message because it might have gone to spam, or have not gotten thru the system. Have you checked to see if you used the correct spelling of the email address? Have asked your local pharmacist, of a local pharmacist?

When is your next doctor appointment? This might be your best option, and it would be my first choice.