What can I expect with Ibrance?

Momdin
Momdin Member Posts: 25
edited April 2019 in Stage IV/Metastatic Breast Cancer ONLY

I have so many concerns about Ibrance. I recently was informed that my cancer spread to my bones. I knew it had spread because of the pain but was in denial. Now my oncologist has put me on Ibrance and I will also receive Flasodex shots. I guess I'm the type of person that plans for the worst case scenario . What will life will be like? Will I be sick and bald? Can anyone give me some suggestion or tips on this medicine?


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  • Lexica
    Lexica Member Posts: 259
    edited April 2019

    Hi, Momdin - I am sorry to hear about your progression. F*ck this cancer thing.

    I have been on Ibrance (in a clinical trial) for about a year. It is manageable. My hair has thinned, but that could be from the aromasin. I have fatigue and occasional mouth sores. Occasional migraines, that may or may not be due to Ibrance. Of course a steady low WBC count, but that is expected, and I have not noticed it other than on the bloodwork paperwork..Overall, not too bad. Hoping the same for you and that Ibrance is effective against your mets for a long time to come!

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  • Momdin
    Momdin Member Posts: 25
    edited April 2019

    Thank you!! Can I ask when your WBC are low do you stay away from crowds ? Do you take anything to build your immune system ?

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  • ann273
    ann273 Member Posts: 209
    edited April 2019

    Hello Momdin,

    I have been on Ibrance for only 7 months and there are some on here that have been on it for years. Ibrance does not typically make you lose your hair, I for one still have the same thickness I had as when I started. The main side effect most of us is low WBC counts which basically suppresses your immune system. You do need to be careful about being around people who have an ongoing infection and when you are in crowds. Again, its a very manageable side effect if your doctor works with you to adjust your doses.

    As far as I know I heard of very few cases where Ibrance was not tolerable or was severely affecting their quality of life. I wish you good luck with it and a long side effect free run!

    Ann

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  • Lexica
    Lexica Member Posts: 259
    edited April 2019

    I haven't stayed away from crowds or anything except when my WBC was critically low and I had to take a week break from Ibrance. Since then, they have been steady and I have stayed on the 125 mg dose.

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  • candy-678
    candy-678 Member Posts: 3,950
    edited April 2019

    Check out the Ibrance Thread on this site.  It will be a great help to you.  Sorry I don't know how to post the link.  Look on "Active Topics" or look on  "Member List" for me and it should show that I have recently posted on the Ibrance Thread and you can access if from there.  

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  • DivineMrsM
    DivineMrsM Member Posts: 9,620
    edited April 2019

    Here is the Ibrance link

    Topic: Ibrance (Palbociclib)

    https://community.breastcancer.org/forum/8/topics/828848?page=550#idx_16492

    Momdin, I was diagnosed with bone mets in 2011 at which time I had chemo, lumpectomy, radiation and then was on antihormone medicine (Arimidex) until just last month when I had my first progression. So I’ve been put on Ibrance along with a different antihormonal medicine (Aromasin). I’ve only been taking Ibrance one week but I wanted to say that it was not even available when I was first diagnosed back in 2011. It has such positive buzz about it for helping women stay progression-free for longer than without the drug.

    The ladies on the Ibrance thread are such a great help. I had the same fears as you and am gradually becoming less afraid, and the support from the Ibrance thread is a huge help. My pharmacist said that once patients taking Ibrance find the right dose, which may take two or three months, most seem to tolerate it fairly well. She gave a very sincere smile when she said it, so I knew I could trust her words.


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  • Momdin
    Momdin Member Posts: 25
    edited April 2019

    Thank you ladies for all your help and info! I'm sure I will have more questions as all this is so new to me.


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  • Iwrite
    Iwrite Member Posts: 870
    edited April 2019

    Momdin- Welcome to the club no one wants to join. Ibrance can be very effective and very tolerable. I’m at 41 months on it right now and feel good on a reduced dose and schedule. Divine is right- it can take a few months to get the dose right AND the first few months when the mets are healing can be uncomfortable. After that I felt much better!

    I’ll quote advice from an old friend of ours-Z. “Keep moving.” Exercise moves the meds through your system more quickly and helps you maintain strength. And it improves mood. I started on pain and anxiety meds and needed them. Now I manage with just Tylenol and have much less anxiety. Join us on the Stage V fitness board for encouragement. Hoping Ibrance is wildly successful for you!

    Everyone is unique and has a different path. You’ll find yours. Welcome

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