Ibrance/Palbociclib side effects vs chemo questions

Come visit the full Ibrance thread and you'll find a range of SE - some people barely have any while others are finding it to be a tough medication. I can only compare it to Taxotare and Cytoxan chemo and can say Ibrance is about a million times easier. I have a bit of hair thinning but it's only noticeable to me. I haven't had any nausea but know some others have. The primary SE seems to be neutropenia but there's a lot of options that vary from dropping the dosage to changing the dosing schedule. Most people start on 125mg for 21 days, and then have 7 days off. It's a pill form and should be taken with a meal that includes healthy fat. I still work full time and am raising my son. Lots of travel too. The fatigue is real (been on this just about a year now) but I hope to stay on this a long time because it's not been too bad for me. We stay on this until there is progression, and then its on to the next drug. Are you on Letrizole or Faslodex with it

hi, I would go check out the ibrance thread you may get a few more answers over there.

You are right it is super scary! but somehow it becomes your new normal. Many women still work and some do not. I have been on ibrance since February 2017 and have found it tolerable...... My biggest complaint is fatigue. About hair, I was bald when starting and now have a full head of hair. Maybe a tad thinner than I am used to but everyone is different. Good luck!

I have been very lucky.  I am still on 125 mg of Ibrance, since the Spring of 2015.  There is fatigue, and blood counts do vary and dip, but I still work full-time.  My hair did thin, but because I had very thick hair to begin with, it was not that bad in retrospect.   The hair thinning was most noticeable to me.  I am on Letrozole with the Ibrance.  However, one of my co-workers could only stay on Ibrance for one month.  I would recommend being careful about being around sick people, but you may not be able to help that situation.  Best wishes.

I am on Ibrance, faslodex, and Xgeva which is an alternative to zoledronic acid.  Xgeva is just a shot rather than an infusion, so if you don't have a port it's easier.  I think in my case the Xgeva helps with energy more than it hurts.

ceci, It's been so long since the first infusion that I don't really remember. I might have had to take a couple of ibuprofen/paracetamol the second day. But a lot of women do have serious bone aches the first time. If you have a lot of trouble ask the nurses to slow down the infusion. They can give it over 30 minutes rather than 15 minutes.

There are two reasons cancer centers give Zometa rather than Xgeva. The first is that Xgeva is a LOT more expensive. Some insurances may not pay for it. It's possible your National Health won't pay for it.

The second reason, at least in the US, is that cancer centers make more money giving infusions than giving shots. So it's financially better for them to give Zometa.

Ceci, I had Zometa infusions every month for two years, then every three months for one year then switched to Xgeva. Never had any nausea. Only had bone aches the one time. No port. My veins are still OK but when we move to iv chemo, may that be many years away, I'll get a port.

I too have been at this for almost 5 years. You have many good years ahead of you. Once Ibrance and letrozole fail, may that be many years in the future, you'll switch to something else. Probably Faslodex. Then something else. and again. There are dozens of medications. If each works one year you ave dozens of years yet.

So glad I found this site. Sometimes it feels like I am alone even though I have a loving a supportive family and friends. You dont share everything so they wont worry.

I didn't have IV chemo but did have a double mastectomy. I have been taking Ibrance and letrezole since October 2016. At my first 3month CT scan nothing was there. 8 months a very small tumor was found on the kidney and was surgically removed. It proved to not be breast cancer but a beginning kidney cancer. At12 and 16 months nothing . My 19th month scan will happen in May.

Some naseau hair thinned a little but most likely would have anyway with age. The only SE I deal with on a daily basis is achy joints. I had to stop the ibrance for 3 months while the kidney was taken care of. The achyness was still there so I feel it is the letrezole doing it.

I was told I will have to take them for the rest of my life. I am OK with it. I went back teaching in Sept. Elementary kids, as my oncologist says, are virtually petri dishes ,and have just this week caught my first cold. I feel very blessed to be living in a time where stage IV doesn't mean there is no hope. I am looking for joint pain release. Might check out the CBD oil that people that have fibromyalgia have found helpful. Blessings to all and stay strong

I was encouraged by your post. As a retired elementary educator, I salute your decision to return to the classroom and the world of awe and wonder where young dreams are molded. I retired fully in 2015 when I was first diagnosed with Stage III breast cancer. When I started my treatments in July of that year, I was told by my oncologist that I had about a 45% chance of an early reoccurrence because the cancer had metastasized to numerous lymph nodes and my chemo treatments were limited due to my heart condition; however, I did receive 30 radiation treatments.

I  was allergic to my first two hormonal therapy drugs - tamoxifen and femara.    I have been on aromasin since Nov of 2016. Yes, I was somewhat taken back when my PET/CT Scan this past January revealed cancer mets on every visible bone viewed. So I started on Ibrance and Aromasin in February along with monthly Xgeva shots. I had to take a 3 week break from Ibrance 125 mg due to neutropenia and very bloody stools.   I just started last week on Ibrance 75mg with the hopes that my WBC will be healthy tomorrow and so far - only one bloody stool.

So now  you understand why your post was good news. I am going to stay the course and continue the healing journey. I don't want my cancer fight to be about meds. Like you my energy needs to be focused on embracing a healthy quality of life- exercising, enjoying the grandchildren, traveling, and celebrating my 70th birthday in June.