Pain and Other Things

Nan - Have you ever been on Tamoxifen or currently on it?

There is a risk of 30-40% in developing Non-Alcoholic FAtty Liver Disease from taking Tamoxifen. If I'm reading correctly, they found evidence of this in a recent US of yours?

The reason I bring this up is I recently found out about liver damage risks due to Tamoxifen, thanks to a member, CanadaLiz. My MO never ever mentioned it to me. I posted some info and studies regarding this on the Bottle O' Tamoxifen thread (posted 12/16/18). (linked a few below for you if you are interested)

I'm sorry that you're experiencing pain and no one has been able to quite figure it out yet. Maybe this might be relevant, maybe not. Either way my thoughts are with you and hoping they can find the source of the issue soon. Healing and hugs.

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26071793

A prospective, randomized study on hepatotoxicity of anastrozole compared with tamoxifen in women with breast cancer

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4462391/

"In addition, fatty liver disease, also known as non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) or non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), was observed in more than 30% of patients with breast cancer who received tamoxifen as adjuvant therapy.10,11 The first anastrozole-induced hepatotoxicity case was reported in 2006.12 A retrospective study demonstrated that fatty liver disease detected using ultrasound was more frequently seen with tamoxifen than with anastrozole (30.4% vs 6.25%).13 "

Association between tamoxifen treatment and the development of different stages of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26071793

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S092966461500176X

"Several studies showed that taking tamoxifen may incur a 30–40% risk of developing nonalcoholic fatty liver disease(NAFLD), according to different diagnosis instruments."Conclusion

The current study suggests that tamoxifen treatment is associated with the risk of fatty liver either by increasing the risk of newly developed fatty liver conditions or worsening previous fatty liver conditions, and even retarding fatty liver improvement."

"Our study suggests that tamoxifen is associated with the risk of NAFLD development, either by increasing the developed fatty liver or worsening the previous fatty liver condition and even retarding fatty liver improvement. The severity of fatty liver is associated with higher rates of abnormal LFT. During the follow-up period, regular abdominal ultrasound checkup, not just for detecting liver nodules, but also for identifying fatty liver change, is crucial. Further checking of liver function and other metabolic conditions once the fatty liver condition has progressed is essential."

Joe -- I recall reading specifically in at least two of those studies that they did do pre-screening for FLD via blood work, US, and biopsies. I am unsure about the remaining studies.

Hi, I was no tamoxifen but not anymore d/t side effects. I am feeling better these days accepted a pulled a muscle in my hip. My pain is improving, still have bad days but I am not on the lyrica anymore and still doing ok so I am excited to see hope at the end of the tunnel. I confess I have a big fear of this cancer.

Please make sure your oncologist knows about the pain. I was treated with meds and physical therapy for almost a year only to continue with pain and the DX metastatic.