Well, now on top of everything else, it seems I have a fatty liver. Have been referred to a liver specialist to determine if tamoxifen is the cause. I have been on tamoxifen for 2 ysears. Prior to taking it, I didn't have a fatty liver and I know this because I had a previous ultrasound for another reason prior to my BC diagnosis which was just fine.
Saw my onc today and he wanted me to stay on the tamoxifen until the liver specialist can make a determination about what caused the fatty liver. I am not obese or overweight -- the number one cause and I do not drink -- so what's left? I think it is the tamoxifen.
If I can't take tamoxifen, I will have to switch to an AI -- kind of a big switch since I am still premenopausal and would have to either do Lupron shots or get rid of the ovaries? Anyone have this issue? Can someone weigh in on Lupron shots vs. removing ovaries? If I have to, I think I would just prefer to get rid of them.
Any advice?
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SoCalLisa Joined: Jan 2006 Posts: 3,146 |
Nov 7, 2009 12:25 am
SoCalLisa wrote:
I had liver problems when I was on Tamoxifen, but noone ever could figure out if it was the cause..I also had gall bladder issues with the tamoxifen...I was post menopausal so I changed to Arimidex in 2002 even before it was approved for early breast cancer .I hope they can figure this out for you... DX 2000-IDC- 2B..POS NODE--ER+. PR+, HER2 NEG
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orange1 Joined: Oct 2008 Posts: 512 |
Nov 7, 2009 09:26 pm
orange1 wrote:
Hopefor30 - Since removing your ovaries is irreversible, before going to this step you may want to try the Lupron shots for a few months to see how well you tolerate very low estrogen levels. Diagnosis: 8/2007, IDC, 1cm, Stage I, Grade 3, 0/3 nodes, ER+/PR-, HER2+ |
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AnneW Joined: Oct 2002 Posts: 3,009 |
Nov 7, 2009 09:30 pm
AnneW wrote:
I had trouble with Tamoxifen (cognitive issues) so went to Lupron + AIs. I didn't have much problem with hot flashes, so after about 6 months of Lupron, I had my ovaries removed. It's not an easy decision. Yet I was 45, and only wanted to do menopause once...Figure out where you are with fertility. And know what your options are. If you must do hormonal therapy and you can't take Tamoxifen, then there's just about no other choice. Anne 2002 IDC stage 1, grade 1, rads & AI
Diagnosis: 9/18/2007, ILC, <1cm, Stage I, Grade 1, 0/1 nodes, ER+/PR+, HER2- |
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momtobkands… Joined: Feb 2009 Posts: 16 |
Nov 9, 2009 11:33 pm
momtobkandsd wrote:
I have found quite a bit of research elsewhere that is starting to show that Tamoxifen indeed can cause liver problems, and it seems to show it is more widespread than the oncs want to let us believe. Diagnosis: 3/2008, IDC, 1cm, Stage II, Grade 2, 2/21 nodes, ER+/PR+, HER2- |
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mags Joined: Sep 2005 Posts: 678 |
Nov 10, 2009 06:41 am
mags wrote:
Hi ladies, when I found my lump I stopped smoking. Less exercise, comfort food and tamoxifen and I put on 44 lbs. I developed a fatty liver, probably a combination of the food and tamoxifen. I went on a low fat diet and managed to get my liver problems under control. I also did Zoladex shots for two years which is similar to Lupron. I suffered terribly with hot flashes, aches and stiffness in my joints. I was so relieved when my two years on it was up. Now I'm back to normal or as normal as I'm ever going to be now. I suggest trying the injections before ovary removal. I'd tried to persuade my doctor to remove mine and I am so pleased now that he refused. I don't know if age has anything to do with it but I was only 39 when I started the injections. Maybe if you're nearer menopause age the reaction might not be so severe. Good luck ladies Hugs Mags |
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mistikal Joined: May 2008 Posts: 12 |
Nov 12, 2009 02:52 am
mistikal wrote:
Hi there hope430 Sorry to hear about your liver. I've been on tamoxifen for 16 months. I don't have any major side effects other than slight weight gain and benign ovarian cysts. I know a lady who spoke to her oncologist and they agreed to lower her dose to 10mg (instead of 20mg) tamoxifen daily. I would think things through and see if the benefits outweigh the problems as we all have different side effects. There is risk in everything, unfortunately the options are not what we wanted in the first place! Diagnosis: 11/2/2007, IDC, 2cm, Grade 3, 0/1 nodes, ER+/PR+, HER2- |
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hopefor30 Joined: Aug 2007 Posts: 1,184 |
Nov 12, 2009 08:18 am
hopefor30 wrote:
Well, I have seen my onc and he is not making any decisions until I see a liver specialist -- that will happen next week. He did say that if it was determined that tamoxifen is a problem that they will switch me to lupron shots and and AI -- really not happy with this whole situation. I tolerate tamoxifen very well -- no real side effects -- switching to ovarian suppression and a new drug will be traumatic, but I guess I will just have to wait and see what the liver doctor says.....and yes, it does come down to benefits vs. problems.....and yes, you are right, the options are not what we wanted in the first place. I will post back after I know more..... |
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Jill45 Joined: Jun 2009 Posts: 17 |
Nov 12, 2009 08:29 am
Jill45 wrote:
I had been on Tamoxifen for about 5 months when they noticed new spots on my liver at the same time my existing liver mets were shrinking. The onc believes that they may be fatty tumors from the Tamoxifen and switched me to Femera. I had very few side effects with Tamox and have been on Femera now for about 1 month and have really not had any side effects. I get a zoladex shot once a month which keeps the ovaries supressed, the shot can be a little painful but I have found that using ice on the shot area for about 10 minutes helps dull any pain from the initial shot. Good luck with your appointment Diagnosis: 5/19/2009, Stage IV, Grade 2, mets, ER+/PR+, HER2- |
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