RUQ (liver pain) during week 3 of HD interferon infusions

Hey Everyone,

I was diagnosed with Stage 3B in late June 2016. I joined the interferon/ipi vs keytruda clinical trial and was randomized to the standard arm and went with interferon. I know that decision is somewhat controversial but that's not what I am posting about here.

After 2 weeks of high dose interferon infusions we had to hold because my LFTs were off the charts. My AST was in the 500's and my ALT was in the 200s. A week later one of my LFTs was still 5x the normal limit so we decided to drop from the trial in order to not miss out on 2 full weeks of HD infusions (which my oncologist felt was the most important part). We waited 4 more days until my LFT's were in the 80's (ALT) and 60's (AST) to restart treatment. That was this past thursday 9/22. They restarted me on a 33% dose reduction (21 million units or something like that). 

Yesterday, after my infusion when I was leaving MGH, I felt like I was having epigastric pain. It felt like a lot of pressure or gas. I thought maybe it was heartburn and I took some tums and rested for a bit before I went to ultimate frisbee practice where I ran around for 3 hours without any problems. Then last night when I went to lay down in bed I felt this overwhelming pain and pressure in my epigastric area. It was not a burning sensation like heart burn. It kept me up most of the night and eventually I realized it hurt more on my right side. This morning it hurts to walk around and breath deep and the pain is dull but hurts more on my right side, just about where my liver should be. I don't have any jaundice, nausea, or any other symptoms. My stools are light brown and not clay colored. The pain goes away when I sit upright. I told all this to the nurses and a doctor took one look at me and said I was fine. 

Mostly I am just wondering if anyone else has ever had these symptoms?  What it might mean? Should I ask to get my LFTs re-checked? I have my last day of infusions for the week tomorrow.

In general I have been doing great with the interferon treatments, my oncologist cannot beleive it. I am 29 and was in the best shape of my life when I was diagnosed. I have continued to stay active and only really ever have symptoms on the first 2 days of treatment, and they are managed well with excedrin/tylenol/zofran.

Any info people might have is greatly appreciated. Thanks!

Best,

Elana

If you are interested in my whole story, I have been writing a blog: https://schwamingcancer.wordpress.com/