Appetite loss? Liver mets question.

Nichola
Nichola Member Posts: 402
edited June 2014 in Not Diagnosed With a Recurrence or Metastases but Concerned

Hi Girls

Although I've had a pretty crappy year (few years!!) ...DX with 2nd recurrence among other things back in May etc., I am the eternal optimist and after various tests all seems fine except for the last 4 weeks in which I have lost my appetite.  I can usually make myself eat so haven't lost much wieght (7lbs - yippee!), but just have no desire for food which is VERY unlike me.  I have also had bouts of mild abdominal pain accross my middle to lower abdo and occasional nausea.  I have had the all clear from colonoscopy and endoscopy apart from a couple of small, now excised polyps.  I've had ovaries and uterus etc out so the only thing I'm wondering about now is my liver?  

Have any of you ladies with liver mets had this as a symptom?  Is this a syptom at all?  Should I tell my onc?  I don't feel anxious, but need to be cautious...?

Thanks in anticipation

Nikki

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Comments

  • ElaineD
    ElaineD Member Posts: 2,265
    edited October 2010

    As all tests have been returned clear, I would take comfort from that. Appetite loss can be caused by many things-so to assume it could be mets is rather premature! In addition,pain would normally pressent in the upper right, not lower abdomen.However, if you are going to get stressed unless you have further investigations, then maybe call your bc nurse in the first instance, and she could evaluate if you have cause for concern?Perhaps some liver function blood tests would give a clearer picture as to what is happening?

    I have liver mets, and admittedly don't have much appetite. But I've been on chemo now for 3years, and this is naturally having an impact.The early stages of liver spread can be difficult, however, to assess, as changes can be subtle, so you are quite right to remain vigilant and cautious.

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  • mcbird
    mcbird Member Posts: 381
    edited October 2010

    I had extensive liver mets and never lost my appetite, my liver is now clear, but since I started on Effexor I have to make myself eat.  With liver mets I started growing brown spots and my urine turned dark brown.  Doc told me last week that I was in liver failure at that time and didn't even know it.          Darla

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  • nancyh
    nancyh Member Posts: 2,644
    edited October 2010

    I had extensive liver mets when I was diagnosed a year ago and didn't have any loss of appetite.  Also, I think ElaineD is right that if you had liver pain (and most of us don't) it would be higher, like under your ribs on the right side. 

    There's lots and lots of reasons for lower abdominal pain and loss of appetite, so try not to worry.  You could ask your onc, but another idea would be to go to your Primary Care doctor since s/he might have other things to rule out (i.e. appendicitis, etc.)

    Good luck.

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  • Nichola
    Nichola Member Posts: 402
    edited October 2010

    Thanks so much Elaine, Daria and Nancy

    I'm so sorry I have not got back earlier re. your responses... I have been really feeling awful:  However I'm now hoping now that it's maybe Arimadex kicking in? (I changed from tamox back in May):  It certainly lists appetite loss as a side effect!  

    I've come off it for nearly 3 weeks now and I've had normal liver function tests, and I'm not anemic but still lack energy, lack my usual apetite and feel nauseus some of the time.  I also ache all over now, particularly in my right hip for 2 months or so!  Doc says it could take a month to start feeling better if it is Arimadex..then I'll try Aromasin....

    The great thing is that abdominal pains have gone, I've lost 9lbs and I'm sleeping!!!  (Amazing for me)!  

    I do wish you all the very best...

    Nikkix

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited October 2010

    Nothing I have ever taken has caused me to lose my appetite....wish it would.  However I know how when we have this disease, especially when mets are involved we worry and attribute every little change to the cancer.  Good luck to you.   Marybe

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  • Member_of_the_Club
    Member_of_the_Club Member Posts: 3,646
    edited October 2010

    I do NOT have liver mets and do have a lot of those symptoms because I have a digestive disorder called gastroparesis.  It isn't diagnosed with the tests you've had so you might want to talk to your gastroenterologist about a stomach emptying test.  You could also have an ultrasound of your liver, to give yourself some peace of mind.  If I were you I would start with the gastroenterologist.  Gastroparesis is an underdiagnosed disorder.

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  • Nichola
    Nichola Member Posts: 402
    edited November 2010

    Thanks MaryBe and MOTC

    I sure wish I could put this down to anxiety, but although I'll always be cautious, I'm not usually someone who overly worries:  I have a very pragmatic view to life and BC - even though I've had 2 recurrences, I'm a positive thinker who just wants to get to the bottom of this and feel well again!!  It's now been around 3 months of feeling fatigued, and most days, nauseus and lacking apetite...  I've been off arimadex for 3 1/2 weeks so beginning to discount that as a cause. 

    I am definitely going to ask my Doc about gastroparesis as it mentions one cause as being stomach damage:  I've also been getting this wierd feeling of a "spike" in my abdomen off and on so  am wondering if indeed it is a latent symptom of damage done by my tram-diep recon 2 years ago?

    I'm seeing my doc again on Friday.

    Any more suggestions would be most welcome!!!

    Nikkix

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  • sunny210
    sunny210 Member Posts: 292
    edited November 2010

    Nichola,

    I'm glad to hear all of the good news from the other ladies. I'm hoping for the very best for you. I did have one very small liver met, which I've since gotten under control. My only symptom was nausea and lack of appetite. Very unlike me. So it might pay to be cautious.  I had a scan which showed the spot on my liver. Good luck. Keep us posted.

    Sandy 

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  • Nichola
    Nichola Member Posts: 402
    edited November 2010

    Thanks Sunny

    Were your liver function tests normal?  I saw my family Doc today:  He said my liver function blood test was fine, but I'm sure I've read on this site that sometimes they can be normal when there is a small met?  Doc also said my thyroid and gallbladder both tested normal.

    I have decided to go back on Arimadex next week if I'm still feeling the same as by then if I'm still like this, it's then obviously not that.  Taking I don't get worst, I'll then grin and bear it over the next couple of months as I have an appointment to see my onc in January.  Fingers crossed it might all right itself!!!

    Nikkix

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