Hello I live in Iowa and was diagnosed with stage IV breast cancer in 2014. Metastases to ovaries and bone. I have had a hysterectomy been threw chemo and 4 different cancer meds. Last pat scan showed no chance sense 2015 , nothing lighting up. However my issue is that the meds do not agree with my system. That is why i have to keep changing meds.
Thank you for listening
Hi tchawkeye ! Thanks for joining us. Glad to hear your last scan was clean! Though I'm sure it's exhausting to have to keep switching regimens... best to you xoxo
Hi tchawkeye,
What type of BC do you have? Ductal, Lobular, ER+ and Her2- or Her2+. I have Lobular, ER+ Her2-. I too have been on 4 different cancer meds. The anti-Estrogen drugs didn't help me much so I've been on oral chemo drugs, so far Xeloda and now Afinitor with Aromasin. It seems to be agreeing with me.
A consulting Oncologist told me that I shouldn't cycle through the different drugs too fast because I could run out of them in the long run. I agree with her. I hope I can stay on my current treatment plan for a good long while.
Instead of completely changing your meds, could your Oncologist lower them so that you can stay on them longer? They say that you should stay on a drug for at least 3 months before switching to another. Tumor markers and scans after the 3 months will indicate whether you should change to something else.
You're lucky that your last PET scan came out so good! That's great news!
Wishing you continued progress with everything!
Kats2
I want to say AR+ PR+ Her2 - . I am usually on meds past 3 mo. Last one was a year but the side affects were getting to bad to stay on them. I'm on Ibrance and shots now. Sorry can't remember the two drugs in the shot. The Ibrance is making my white count drop to 1.5 so the doc keeps lowering med. I am coming to the end of my options. It's scary for sure. I think chemo is next and last step so I am hoping these meds work. He might have to give my body a brake , not sure. Otherwise I am good. Pet good number good (27-29) .
My ANC and WBC counts dropped to .4 and 1.0 respectively at their lowest. Medicine was lowered to the lowest dose. That helped but in the long run, 1 year, the Ibrance, and letrozole with Xgeva injection was no longer helpful. Back to Xeloda chemotherapy. This seems to be working again just fine. I will be on it till it fails. My side effects are tolerable for now. I have been on lots of medications and chemotherapies the past 10 years with each having their own adjustments for comfort. I recently had a liver biopsy and it has been genetically tested for future treatment. There are so many options these days. I hope there will always be options.
tchawkeye,
Please don't think that you're down to your last options. There are many drugs out there.
You mentioned being on 4 different meds in the past. Do you remember what they were? Were you on Afinitor with Aromasin? Xeloda? There's a new one out too, called Kisqali.
Some of these drugs have agreed with me, some not.
You are very fortunate that your scans are good, not " lighting up' as you say. Mine light up!
I've been on many drug protocols too, but never IV chemo. That may be recommended later.
Don't throw in the towel! You'll get there. It's just a matter of finding the right drug and treatment plan that works for you. I'm going through the same thing.
Stay in touch. Wishing you the best! Kats2
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Hi - I'm new here. Diagnosed with Lobular MBC -- mets to abdomen
