Elevated alkaline phosphatase

[NanaJoni]

I'm recovering from a Strep A pneumonia and Strep A bacteremia (blood infection). Spent 6 days in the hospital - been home for a week. I went for my Herceptin yesterday which was postponed from the week before. My onc decided not to do it but to send me to a pulmonologist to rule out any underlying condition with the lungs (the pneumonia is exactly behind where my radiation treatments were). Today I got a call back from the onc saying my alkaline phosphatase is a little elevated and they want me to come back on May 2 to get it checked again. Of course, I'm terrified now of liver and/or bone mets and even something going on in the lung. Anyone had any similar experience who can give me some insights into what could be going on? I'm not sure how I'll get through the next 2 weeks til they do more tests. I know the pneumonia was opportunistic because my immune system is just shot but I had been feeling so good just before I got so sick. Now I can't walk across the room without stopping to rest. And I'm losing weight at a rate of about 1 lb a day. Mostly just terrified and not knowing how to cope...I had one tumor that was triple negative and this first 3 years are the worst for recurrence. I just hit the one year mark from my dx and surgery and feel like the other shoe has dropped on me.

[sassy]

Joni,

Sorry I can't give you any information on alk elevation, but wanted you to know I'm thinking of you and keeping you in my prayers. I do think any number of things could contribute to elevated levels. I remember mine were elevated at one point, but down the next so my onc was not concerned.

Waiting for tests is the pits! Think positively!

[Becky]

You have just been through alot. This can be caused by a wide variety of drugs - one of them being antibiotics. You have just gotten over pneumonia and I am sure they gave you lots of antibiotics. Rest up and recuperate. I am sure the rise will drop and it was probably caused by medications. It is always scary when things like this happen in cancerland.

[Lori R]

Joni,
I have had to deal with liver mets, so I get my liver enzymes checked every 3 weeks. I've had weeks where my #s were elevated and I just knew there was a recurrance. Only to find out all was well.

So...please don't let those enzyme #s drive you crazy. The Drs are looking for a long, consistent pattern of the enzymes climbing. Not a one time spike. Too many other things at play.

I hope this provides a little reassurance....Lori

[Adriana Mangus]

Hi Joni,

This is Adriana-- I did not sign-in today.

I have had elevated liver enzymes as well, the onc., thinks is nothing related to the bone/liver, but due to the toxicity of the TDM1 Trial drugs. The TDM1 onc., agrees with him.

I have been very apprehensive, so I completely understand you, it does not matter what other people say to us, it's our body and so its natural to feel the stress of not knowing the reason for those high marks. I asked my onc., here where I live to order a bone scan--just in case. I had it done today. Just like you I'm a nervous wreck!!! Waiting and waiting until I hear from the doctor. Stressful!!!!!!!!

I can only say this to you: Stay positive, try to go for walks,--even a short walk outside your house it would do wonders to your well being. Hang in there my friend!

Please keep us posted.


Much Love to you,

Adriana

P.S. I drive to Higland, Ca for the TDM1.

[NanaJoni]

Adriana - thanks so much for the response. Sorry I didn't answer sooner but have been back in the hospital for the last five days and came home yesterday. The liver enzymes are coming back down and I had an abdominal ct scan on Wednesday that was completely normal. Good news there. As it turns out my more serious problem is with my right lung. What had been thought to be pneumonia several weeks ago turns out to be some permanent scarring/damage. I had a bronchoscopy last week, too, and it didn't show any lesions so lung mets are probably not the problem - it could be from the radiation I had in that area or even from Herceptin (or a combination of the two). I've got some additional testing to be done. For now I'm on oxygen at night and very limited activity but hoping things will improve. It seems like one of those domino displays - treating one thing causes some other problem. Just a day at a time for now, I guess. Going to enjoy the beautiful weekend here in the mountains of East Tennessee. And as always, I'm so thankful for the wonderful people on this site who are so generous with their care and kindness.