[LizzyPWParticipant]

Hi, this is my first post. My sister has just finished her first cycle of chemo only to develop an inflamed liver, brown urine and problems with her pancreas. She has been in hospital for the past few days and they have stopped chemo and can't get to the bottom of why her liver is inflamed and her urine's brown. She's not eating and keeps heaving whenever she tries but she is now hungry. I'm extremely worried especially as the myeloma is not being treated. Has this happened to anyone else? Thanks for any info.

[jmsmythParticipant]

Hi Lizzy

Welcome to the forum. I'm so sorry that your sister is having a bad time. When my hubby had his first Chemo he had different and weird side effect but nothing like that. I'm sure someone will come along who will be able to help

Best wishes Jean

[VickiParticipant]

Hi Lizzy,

Sorry I can't help either but hope that your sister starts to feel better soon. Have u spoken to the mm nurse on this site for information? 🙂

Vicki and Colin x

[sanParticipant]

Hi Lizzy, not sure if this helps but my Mum also has inflammed liver and has just come out of hospital i think that she is very slowly improving, still jaundiced, urine a little less dark and not feeling so sick, the hospital pharmacist thinks that its the drug combo [revlimid being one]and she too has stopped all chemo in fact really all medication except blood pressure and anti sick meds, we are waiting to see a liver specialist in the next week or so and have weekly bloods[liver function test], guess that the chemo will not start until the liver recovers somewhat so we wait to hear. I so hope that your sister feels better soon dear of her its bad enough putting up with the drug making you feel poorly and the Myeloma without added complications, San xx

[eveParticipant]

Hi Lizzy

When any one is first diagnosed,the rush to just get on with treatment comes to the fore,but it will not help if other urgent medical problems are apparent,the experts will see first to the one that is most important.A number of people have had to stop treatment for awhile because of different illnesses,so do not worry about the Chemo side.:-)

I cannot help with your problem,but i do advice you to ring Ellen or Maggi,they might be able to answer questions,or at least put your fears at rest.
Lizzy this is a large roller coaster ride we are all on,and it last the whole lifetime of the patient,some manage to get off and have remission,but are very aware they could be joining it anyday.So take everything one day at a time,try not to look to far ahead,and try to make every day special even if it is in a small way,like a walk in the park.Eve

[dickbParticipant]

Hi there, I did not have an inflamed Liver but very high Liver enzymes. I had the same symptons, very dark wee, jaundiced and the other thing to look for is very light coloured pooh. My first bout happened 4 weeks after the initial Chemo, that was PAD, one enzyme level went up 20 times another was up 10 times, it took another 4 weeks before it started to drop. The doctors believe it was the middle drug, the 'A' in the PAD that caused the problem, they then put me on Revlimid which is known to cause Liver problems. Again my Enzyme levels shot up before dropping down again, this was a bit quicker than before. Now I am on Velcade, the Doctors are being very cautious giving me one chemo a week with Dexy and regular blood and Enzyme checks. I think you need to ask for a print out of your sister's blood tests and a look at the enzyme levels. There is not a lot they can do, it's one of those things the liver has to deal with, especially as the Chemo drugs stress the liver so much.

[LizzyPWParticipant]

Hi all, thank you for your replies. I spoke to someone on info line who suggested the bile duct or duodenum but I believe the doctors had already ruled this out. I will however, ask about the blood tests and look at the enzymes too.
Thank you all for your support and advice.
Lizx

[HelenRParticipant]

Hi Lizzy,

I can't help on your question but just wanted to say good luck and I hope things are getting easier for your sister. It's all such a shock at the beginning but she's in the right place to get all the help she needs.

Helen

[LizzyPWParticipant]

Hi there,
just updating this post, really. Having waited a good few weeks for the liver to start to heal itself, the myeloma started to increase. The doctors changed the combination of chemo drugs only to have the same effect on the liver. My sister will now have to go into hospital so they can give more intensive therapy. They know the liver is reacting to the treatment but can't understand why. Any advice would be welcomed.

Thanks Liz

[sanParticipant]

Hello Liz, i wondered if the liver specialist would know?, has your Sister's liver had enough time to recover fully? my Mum was in the same position but on Revlimid at the time fortunately after 2 cycles she went into remission and her liver has had time to heal, however when she relapses we may be in the same position again with the liver and chemo. Usually the chemo is given at a reduced dosage i understand when the liver is struggling but as you know by now everybody is so different in their response, please send my best to your Sister, i know how worried you and the family may feel, best wishes San x

[LizzyPWParticipant]

Hi San,
thank you, I will pass on your best wishes. I'm glad your mum is in remission, long may it stay that way. 🙂 Apparently, my sister has seen the liver specialist which is why they are going to give the chemo intensively. She had about a month's break between her first and second course to let her liver calm down, I don't know if this was enough. All we can do is wait and see. Lizx

[dickbParticipant]

It took at least two months before my liver behaved itself, the upshot is I cannot have PAD or Revlimid because of the concerns that they may cause more damage. The Celcade is working without the side effects. Hopefully things will get better now for you

[LizzyPWParticipant]

Thanks dickB. I don't know what combination they are going to use next, we're waiting for the hospital appointment. I hope it works out okay for you. 😀

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