Ibrance (Palbociclib)

Monika, yay!!

Jazzy, that lady is cray-cray!

My TMs dropped for the first time since I started Ibrance 8/9 months ago. Finally! I'm sure the fact that I had a CyberKnife treatment to my C7 lesion also helped reduce the tumor load. Either way, I'm pretty happy it's finally moving in the right direction.

Stefanie

stefjoy. Congrats on lowered tm's ?

Congrats to all on the great news!!!

Lindatwo - I would definitely send them the Paloma 3 study with the pertinent information highlighted. CVS Caremark is almost pushy when it scheduling my next shipment. They start calling wanting me to set a delivery date for the next shipment during the first week of treatment cycle. So, I'm thinking there must be a fair amount of profit in it for them and they would do what they can to get you approved. Just speculation though. My MO told me to send the Pfizer patient assistance application in when all of this started even though I still have a decent income with my IRA. He said they are very generous on their cutoff levels so I would say go for it.

Stefanie

Great news on your falling markers!!!!!

Babs

Hello, I've just joined this forum and am looking forward to connecting and learning more about my disease and treatments. I was stable on Femara for over 3 years, and then some activity was found in some of my bone mets (I have mets along my spine, in ribs, pelvis, and hips) in October. I began taking Ibrance with Faslodex injections, and am on my third course. I also get Lupron shots and Zometa infusion every 3 months (for just over 3 years). I've been experiencing some bodily weirdness and having some weird side-effects, like eye sensitivities, more frequent moments of anxiety/panic (I have been taking anxiety meds all along the cancer journey), and strange headaches: it moves around, top of the head, the sides, the back, and comes and goes, is not progressive or terribly painful, but super annoying. I believe the headaches are a side-effect, but my nurse navigator seems to think it shouldn't be a continuing side-effect (but she does admit she doesn't have a lot experience with Ibrance and is trying to learn from my experience). I haven't had a chance to read through the board yet, but glanced and saw that some others have experienced headaches. I find it alarming, as I'm concerned about brain mets, but it doesn't seem to quite fit the symptoms of that. It also looks like others are having eye issues as well. Anyone else have the anxiety and/or weird and frequent bursts of adrenaline? Perhaps I am just really anxious with this change in treatment after being stable for awhile. I do see a therapist, meditate, and am trying to work through anxiety, but I think it would be really helpful to hear some you lovely people. I feel like I need some assurance. My last bloodwork 2 weeks ago showed a spike in tumor markers, from the forum, it looks like others have experienced this as well. I am really hoping that the Ibrance/Faslodex combo will work and I will adjust and feel better. Thank you for any advice or words of encouragment.

oh Dancing Veggie, I'm so sorry to hear you have strep! Can you call your onc's emergency on call number for more guidance? I would definitely call my onc asap to be sure.Hope you feel better soon

Vair, welcome to the group! I have not had any headaches, but I believe others here have experienced this. I have had some blurry vision at times, and some tearing up of my eyes at times. I started adding Claritin every day and this has helped. I haver some moments of anxiety, it comes and goes..sometimes hardly any and sometimes more. Usually around scan time. I think anxiety is quite normal given our circumstances. I have been on Ibrance for 10 cycles and it has been very effective for me..tumor markers down to 44 from 203 and scans stable. You will learn more here from these ladies then any doctor could ever tell you.

Has anyone switched from Ibrance with Femara to Ibrance with Faslodex?

Dancing veggie- do take care!

Vair, welcome. This is a great place for information. I've had the vision issues off and on. I've actually had fewer headaches than normal. I also believe the anxiety is related to our situations, but I think some pain meds can cause anxiety too

Nature gal

Add it as a targeted therapy and you can make any date you want Keep going through all the prompts

Good luck!

Bab

Thank you Moissy!

thanks, artist. Why were you changed?

Hi Crone - Welcome to Ibranceland. Yes, most of us have had low counts and been able to continue on. The protocol is to check at the 14-day point to see how low you've fallen. I was dropped in dosage two times because of low counts and have been on the lowest dose for several cycles now with good results. I did have to sit out 2+ weeks after the first cycle waiting for counts to recover after my initial 125 dosage. It seems to be pretty common that extra time off is needed sometimes.

Artist, thank you.
I did well on Ibrance and Femara the first 3 months. All counts were fine on 125 dosage, pain was fine, TMs dropping, and first scan (at 3 months) was stable. Then the middle of November hit. New, extreme pain in my left hip, 2 nights in the hospital, rads, TMs up (from rads??) and scan showed some progression, especially in T10. So, we are doing TM again February 1. She said Faslodex is next. And it sounded like she meant only Faslodex. Wondering which is failing-Ibrance and/or Femara. We have a lot to talk about too.

Thanks. And let me know how your appointment goes.

Kaption, yes it is truly a gorgeous place to live and the summers are spectacular! Although I have lived here for 30 years and we used to be big skiers, and I love the beauty of the winters, the older I get and with my health issues now, the cold and snow is starting to be less thrilling! I now prefer riding my bike and hiking in pleasantly warm weather!