Ibrance/Palbociclib Side Effects Reporting ONLY

I'm on cycle #15 of Ibrance with Faslodex and my worst SEs have been malaise (not fatigue where you need to sleep, but more like the inability to get myself in gear), as well as thinning hair. Early in the regimen, I experienced some gastro issues (nausea, reflux, heartburn), but they were all fleeting. More recently, I've had hot flashes, which is a bit odd, since I am well past menopause.

Hair thinning for me has meant shedding -- hair on my clothes and a significant amount in my hair brush vs. anything others would notice. It's slowed down considerably the past few months, perhaps partly the result of cutting back on washing it to 1x/week, which also means less frequent drying/styling. I also now drag out having it colored to every 7 or 8 weeks. And I've also had the very tender scalp at times.

Another bothersome SE I've had is bloating, which is helped some with (1) eating fewer cruciferous veggies; (2) an OTC gas med, when needed (the chewables work fastest for me); and (3) eating natural sauerkraut, a probiotic. Before I did these things, there were some nights (it's worst after dinner) when I looked 5 mos. pregnant -- the bloating was that bad.

Recently I've experienced some weight gain. It's only a few pounds, but it's totally around my midsection -- the "middle age spread" I never had before -- and some of my jeans no longer fit right nor are they comfortable.

My nails are thin and have developed deep ridges (like a vertical washboard) and even some horizontal "dips." I wish I had the fast-growing nails SE! Mine have never looked this bad!

I am still on 125 mg., but I normally have to wait 10 to 14 days for my counts to rebound enough to start my next cycle.

In spite of all this, I love and am very grateful for Ibrance. I think you just learn to roll with the punches... Deanna

PS ~ We're all different, but I would venture a guess that one reason I've avoided mouth sores, UTIs and some other common Ibrance SEs is that I have always been a supplement user, including Vitamin C, which may help to prevent those things. I'm not recommending it for anyone else, but I've used supplements for 35 years and have always believed they've kept me very healthy, except for having mbc.

I've only just started... am on Day 6 of first cycle. Initially I thought the racing heart was a reaction on the first night but that was just anxiety. The hives on the second night were due to a lack of hydration. Other than tiredness, I have noticed a bruise on my right breast which I will get checked out tomorrow. Anybody had this? Also I feel really quite chilly and was wearing a sweater all day today whilst everyone's else was in shorts and tee shirts as it was a hot day in London today. Anyone had this SE

Grannax, the fatigue is very much related to lowered blood counts. Oncs watch granulocytes or neutrophils or ANC most closely (the part of the white blood cells that fight infection), but Ibrance can also lower red blood counts, for which fatigue (not enough oxygen) is a major symptom, along with shortness of breath, racing heartbeat, dizziness, anemia, and other common Ibrance SEs.

VonHilda, welcome to BCO. Yes, Ibrance and other meds can mess with our internal thermostats, as can a lack of estrogen. I'm no longer on Ibrance, but when I was (for 19 months), I found the SEs got much better over time. Hope the bruise turned out to be nothing serious.

My platelets were consistently very low on the first 3 cycles of Ibrance 125. My MO dose reduced me to 100mg and platelets now measure between 55-75 around day 21. I am also on Letrozole and just started Prolia subq (was Fosamax 70) for worsened osteoporosis..due to Letrozole. My Ca15.3 is now in normal range and liver mets are down to one measureable lesion with scattering mets.

Mouth Hygiene: For irritations, I gargle with Biotene mouthwash. For minor sores, I gargle with baking soda mixed with warm water. If sores continue and become painful, I switch to Magic Mouthwash Rx.

For Fever Blisters I am prescribed Valtrex.

For Shingles, I will be getting Shingles vaccine when my counts are at their highest range.

For Intestinal bloating, I suspect it is Letrozole and take lactaid. I am lactose intolerant and Letro has a very, very small amount of lactose. Helps.

For tears to mucosal tissues in urogenital/rectal area, I use spray bottle with water with baby wipes to gently clean, followed by Boudreaux's Butt Paste and apply thin layer until healed.

For achy joints, I keep moving..walking helps a lot.

For constipation...I drink 1/2 gallon of water/ day.

For fatigue, I rest when possible by taking naps.

I am on 10th cycle and so glad Ibrance/ Letrozole are working. SEs are manageable.

Hello Ladies,

I haven't been up here in so long but now that I have to be I knew just where to go to get some information because I am so nervous. I been doing great for 5 years on tamoxphin now it's nor working and I have small spot on my breast bone. My doctor recommended me starting on ibance, fastlodex, Zoldex and the X-geva shot. I am so nervous because I don't know what to expect. I am fairly healthy not on any other medications. The Ibrance is suppose to come tomorrow morning so I guess I will take a pill with my dinner. I can't seem to sleep at night because all I can think about is this new medicine. I had zero side effects of the tamoxphin or Chemo other than the losing hair. Can someone please help a sister out and ease my mind. what I am grateful for that it's something we can take. I know everyone is different I am just praying that I can just continue to live a normal fun life while I can. I have an 8 years old and we are very active I would hate for that to stop. Thank You and I am praying everyday for us all.

Darnette, I agree with Granna2x...the Ibrance thread is very supportive. I have been on Ibrance for 15 months and am doing very well. Today I actually feel good. There is a lot of hope for us with new breakthroughs happening everyday.