Gallbladder abnormal with herceptin

[penelope]

Anyone had their gallbladder go bad while on herceptin? I am wondering if this is a side effect.

[karenann]

I have had a problem with one of my liver enzymes being high since before bc diagnosis and with this, ruq pain. I have had tons of blood tests, for a myriad of auto immune diseases, hepatitis, etc. all came back negative. I finally had a liver biopsy and everything came out normal and the pain went away.

However, my doc said she thought all of the above could be gall bladder related.

I just completed Herceptin in August and ever since then, I have had acid reflux, ruq pain and sever back pain (gall bladder pain can radiate to the back) that feels really odd. I would describe it as a tingling/burning/scratching feeling.

Anyway, here we go again... I have an abdominal ultrasound scheduled to see what is going on with my gall bladder and kidneys.

So, to answer your question, yes, I do think the Herceptin did something to once again trigger a gall bladder problem.

I'll keep you updated with the test results.

Karen

[Lani]

to affect the respiratory system--another of the bodies systems beside the breast glandular system which is lined in epithelial cells. In the paper I piosted (in one patient who was biopsied during her time on herceptin and again when her symptoms resolved after herceptin was stopped) it was shown that while on herceptin something like 50%-70% less ciliated cells are found in the upper respiratory tract and there is approx 50% less of certain specialized cells lining the upper respiratory tract. Another paper, proposed/implied that the same thing happens in other systems lined by epithelial cells, particularly the GI tract. That is why, when I started the roll call on herceptin side effect, real and/or perceived, I included GI symptoms.

As I recall some had upper abdominal pain but I recall either in that thread or another several people describing gall bladder like problems. Now, gall bladder problems tend to occur in 40+ year old women yesterday and who knows if being on antiestrogens or having been put into early menopause by chemo potentiates it, or if it is just a long term side effect of radiation (which side was your breast cancer on?) or chemo(which affects all the epithelial cells of the GI tract including those lining the gall bladder and its duct, as they are some of the cells in the body which are replaced most often and therefore more rapidly dividing.

I hope people resurrect the roll call re herceptin side-effects. If I do, it will automatically get put into the "articles" category..... Anyone?

Sorry about my lack of correct statistics---tired! Feel free to search for my original post!(PS ciilated are hair-bearing cells which help filter germs in your nose and upper respiratory system)

[Hopeful]

Lani, how about the cilliated cells in the inner ear? I am still trying to determine whether my tinnitus is a result of the Herceptin, AI's or the combination.

thanks,

Hopeful

[Lani]

tinnitus is something which is not well understood in the first place

I suppose possibilities could include--late effect from chemo, late effect from radiation (is the ear on the same side radiated?), Herceptin or the ai

Not having ciliated cells has never been found to be the cause of tinnitus.

If I find something I'll let you know...

[penelope]

Does this mean that herceptin could cause upper repiratory problems. I have had two colds this year that went straight to my chest and have left me with a chronic cough. Incidently I had the CT scan and found that my luns are clear. Could herceptin be causing respiratory problems?