Ibrance (Palbociclib)

Montana,

Thanks so much for the website and the info. I love the calendar on the website because it gives me lots of ideas. I hope I can get this going! Thanks for taking the time to share with me.

Vanessa

Grannax - I believe I have found it - Bravo!!

Sep 29, 2018 08:10PM - edited Sep 29, 2018 08:14PM by Grannax2

Here it is:

There's a monster in my life. He's real, not just a nightmare. He killed my mother and her mother. He haunts me and my family, including my sister. The monster is metastatic breast cancer.

I, however, am living with, not dying from metastatic breast cancer. I've had four diagnoses of breast cancer ( the first at age forty four) and even though I've had six different chemotherapy drugs, countless surgeries, radiation, hormone therapy, and targeted therapy, my monster still came back with a vengeance. However, successful treatment to the metastases in my liver has given me new hope. I knew nothing about SIR- Spheres Y-90 as a local therapy to treat "a lot of liver tumors." This treatment is my superhero that fights my monster. Liver tumors no longer have to mean certain death. I had my SIR Spheres Y-90 procedures 1-1/2 years ago and my tumors have been inactive since May 2017. My superhero zapped them into oblivion with the power of Yttrium.

I don't see my monster anymore.

Hi Amica,

I had awful fatigue at the beginning, but it lifted a great deal by the third cycle as my body got used to it- sometimes it comes back and hits me (no doubt exacerbated by whatever else I've been doing) but it overall has been fine and I'm still on the 125mg dose. I am struck by how long it took your cancer to return, so lots of reasons to hope for a good long run on this drug combo once you get past this part and things calm down..

Amica - my fatigue was awful the first few months And now at cycle 9, it is indeed better. I attribute it to 3 things:

1- anticipation, I was looking for it and gave into it.... sleeping more often than i actually needed - which is related to #2....

2 - depression, I didn’t realize I was actually also mildly depressed until I started to come out of the fog of my diagnosis. Recognizing this was critical to addressing it. For me, I needed to move my body to feel better. I started walking and it helped immensely.

3 - radiation, I had a single bone met that was radiated at the same time that I started Ibrance. This combo for sure had an impact.

Having said all of this, the fatigue is real and for sure the most common side effect. I am amazed by how much it has improved over time, though just today i took an hour nap after work! 😴. I have settled into it, I now know what’s ‘normal’ and what’s not and I’ve found it varies through the cycle.

Here’s hoping yours also improves!

Amica, I agree with the others. I felt better when my body adjusted some. I am on cycle 28 now and some days I actually feel good--just as long as I don't do too much. Walking does help and I pace myself between days I walk and days I do other activities, but most of the time I do ok. I am actually worse on my week off and on Letrozole alone.

time-for-a-cure, You look fabulous, Dahling!

To those of you getting scans this week, knock 'em dead.....oh, maybe that's not appropriate....well, sure it is!

PatG

I wish I had a stealth radiologist!! Great news Joyner. I agree, no more monsters only superheroes!

Amica, the fatigue got a bit better after a few cycles. I've only been on it since the end of March. I still have fatigue but it's a little less. I agree with IntoLight that I feel worse during the off week with only the letrozole.

Joyner, great report!!

Grannax, sparkly shoes! They are pretty.

Yay Joyner!!! What a great way to wrap up your incredible trip!!

My bone scan showed no active lesions. Something did light up on my jaw bone but they suggest it’s dental related. I’m having it double checked. For now, I’m celebrating.

Well, right this actual minute I’m choking down the barium drink before going in for CTs once I finish the second bottle. Man I hate this stuff. Blarg

Jensgotthis - YAAAAAAY!

Hey, jensgothis...

Jen's got this! I'm happy for you!

Penny, surely someone hacked into my account.

PatG

Jen...YAY! Let us know on the CT!

Meanwhile...we're quanked and headed to bed!

Hi Mlotti and welcome here. So sorry that you had to join us. I would love to be able to answer your question but that post about superheroes was written by Grannax. She posted it to a different thread and wanted to share it here so I copied and pasted it for her. I am sure she’ll be around at some point soon to answer your question!

In the meantime - we’re all here to help and support you! By the way - you might want to check out the liver Mets thread, where Grannax originally posted her message.

Love to all -

Lauren