Anyone else having major stomach issues?

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Jaylea
Jaylea Member Posts: 478
edited January 2019 in Stage IV/Metastatic Breast Cancer ONLY

I'm starting cycle 19 of Ibrance and letrozole. 4 months ago I reduced to 100mg from 125mg when my labs started to regularly tank. My scans are stable(ish) and labs, while low, are good enough to continue treatment. However, I'm having major stomach issues. No nausea, just unable to keep anything down except the blandest of foods. Even then I can end up throwing up. I'm basically living on smoothies, soup, crackers, and Ensure. I have an endoscopy scheduled next week to rule out anything mechanical, but my MO has cautioned me that it may just be a rotten side effect of the treatment. It's hard to imagine living 5-10 years like this. I'd seriously consider changing treatment if it would improve QOL, even if it meant burning this line. Anyone else had serious stomach issues with your treatment, and what did you do that helped?

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  • jensgotthis
    jensgotthis Member Posts: 937
    edited January 2019

    Once a month I get an upset stomach that I would describe as acidic or sour. And although it’s embarrassing I also find that it plays with my gastro system, resulting in urgent, immediate need to go #2.

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  • Jaylea
    Jaylea Member Posts: 478
    edited January 2019

    Thanks, Jens. You've been on a good long run with Ibrance. I remember when I first started Ibrance I'd have that same issue - a once a month issue with diarrhea, especially at nighttime. Everything settled down around 3 months in and I thought I'd be in for a nice, long run. Now DH and I spend all day every day trying to figure out what I can eat. Something can be good one day and not the next. Eggs on Friday, no problem. OK, Eggs are on the nice list! Eggs on Tuesday come right back up. OK, Eggs are on the naughty list!

    I'm a regular on the Ibrance thread and haven't heard anyone having this severe of GI issues, even though vomiting is a listed side effect. So still hoping there's another, treatable cause.

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  • ABeautifulSunset
    ABeautifulSunset Member Posts: 990
    edited January 2019

    I was on Ibrance and letrozole for about 20 months. The entire time I had horrible diarrhea and didn't even know if I was going to make it to a bathroom sometimes. As soon as I went off it and onto something else, all GI issues and diarrhea stopped. I think everyone's SEs are different. Ya never know, but I hope you feel better soon

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  • Jaylea
    Jaylea Member Posts: 478
    edited January 2019

    Thanks, Beautiful. People don't realize how debilitating these issues are. I'm sure you were scoping out where the bathrooms were when you went out to eat. I've had some close calls and thankfully there wasn't a line for the ladies room (although I feel sorry for what stall mates have to hear.) Right now I'm just not going out to eat. I'm so glad your new treatment is easier on your GI tract, may it serve you long and well!

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