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Ibrane

marianne88 profile image
24 Replies

Just wondering what people do for the exhaustion that comes with this pill. Finished week 1 and I’m so tired.

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marianne88 profile image
marianne88
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24 Replies
Boogitymom profile image
Boogitymom

My fatigue seems to have gotten better, my 3rd week is always the worst. And when I’m tired, I’ve learned to surrender and rest. Really the exhaustion is so extreme you don’t have any choice but to rest.

alicehblack profile image
alicehblack

I am in my 7th cycle of Ibrance and it really does get better. I am on 100 though not 125 and that helped a lot! Hope you feel better. It's all about having a good life!

Moveit2012 profile image
Moveit2012

I have done one cycle. 125 mg and by the end of week two the fatigue started to build. I do work 11 hrs a day so I was just coming home and laying down. The nauseous ness is the worst for me. It’s fairly constant. I’m wondering if it’s the letrozole and not ibrance. Has anyone experienced this?

spouseM profile image
spouseM in reply to Moveit2012

I have no trouble with this myself, but I hear nausea can be reduced if you take your meds at night (maybe you are nauseous still but can tell because you are asleep!). My very best to you!

marianne88 profile image
marianne88 in reply to spouseM

How long have you been on ibrance?

spouseM profile image
spouseM in reply to marianne88

1 yr...I just wrote a yackety response to you under the question of how long.....Have a beautiful day Marianne88!

marianne88 profile image
marianne88 in reply to spouseM

Hi. Would u mind tellin my ur details of ur mets. I’m looking for someone I can talk to daily or weekly I’m so sad

spouseM profile image
spouseM in reply to marianne88

I am so sorry...I think sadness is a part of this entire journey, but dont forget you are also living,,,,everyday is a beautiful thing. I dont know how good I will be at being a constant companion to you, I work each day, but check in here in the morning, in that way we can try to keep in touch. My mets are currently restricted to my lymph nodes, scapula region. Cancer was found first in my gall bladder, upon removal, but never, ever in my breast tissue. So, tumor of "origin unknown". But, cancer had markers like those of breast cancer, so BC it is. Marianne,,, take care of yourself, and remember this is a journey. You could live a long life with this and it could be a story you tell many years down the road. Keep that in mind, as it may give you focus. Signing off now, will check in tomorrow. My very best to you, Michelle

marianne88 profile image
marianne88 in reply to spouseM

Thank you so much michelle. My meds are in my iliac Reyes rads but still have awful pain. It’s only been a month that I have known my Stage 4. Thank u for ur support.

spouseM profile image
spouseM in reply to marianne88

Marianne, So, you have constant pain in your lower back, and pelvis? That does sound awful. I am so sorry. I have been spared physical pain. To tell you the truth, if I didnt know I was sick I wouldnt know I was sick....But sick is not even the right word here, and I dont identify with it. I see that you have known for 1 month of your condition. I remember that myself, it was the most difficult for me, early on. I isolated myself because I didnt want to have to answer tons of questions, hear everyones advise, hear horror stories about someone with the same condition (it is so amazing how many thoughtful people do this!). Then I was terrified that I would get sick because my immunity was sure to be suppressed by my treatment. Then sometimes people just get plain strange...maybe they dont know what to say.. I can remember my cousin, my extremely loving cousin...talking to my husband, but not me. It was so painful to not have her company. I dont know how your experience is right now, but being scared is very normal, as least in my experience. Something a friend told me early on, when we talked about possible horror stories..."that story is not your story". This was a huge help to me. Something else that helped immensely is: Please have people around you that you love and love you. Open your heart to love, it is in so many places, and sometimes we close ourselves to it. The transmittance is there, we just have to receive (as is said by Thich Nahat Hanh, a wise monk), and I believe it is true. One thing that has helped me is my meditative practice. If you can find a group, I encourage you to go, sanga is the term that is used for a med group. There are many guided meditations on the web as well, one that I listened to nearly everyday for my first months is: google.com/search?rlz=1C1GG...

Myself, I get a CT scan tomorrow, I feel that all will be well, these lesions I have, I cant say I understand. They are. What will they do...whatever they will. Maybe I am separating myself from them. They may just get right up in my face, but until they do, I have other things to do.

Thank you, Marrianne, for your companionship and be well, be so very well, as I will be. Lets keep in touch, I want to know how you are.

Michelle

marianne88 profile image
marianne88 in reply to spouseM

Oh michelle you are so so sweet. Yes this is new for me. If I wasn’t so tired I think I would feel better. In some ways I know I’m lucky I have a incrediable support team and they caught it early it’s onky in my iliac but I’m struggling with the stage 4 thing. How do I deal with that? I would love to talk with you maybe through email. If that’s possible please email me at kerrijoe12@gmail.com. You seem so put together and I would love to get there. I have so much to live for but can’t seem to get the fatigue in check. Thank u so so much michelle for reaching out to me. If email is too hard I will message you my cell and maybe we can text if that’s ok with you. You seem so put together and would love your positive vibes. Xxoo

spouseM profile image
spouseM in reply to marianne88

Thank you for this Marianne, I am so glad to hear you have loving people with you. It is a gift! Yes, Stage 4, and all we think about, scary. Had me shivering. In time it became more familiar, and less scary, I hope the same for you. Will send you a Email to make the connection. Best to you. Michelle

in reply to spouseM

Goodness, Michelle you are an inspiration - so good to read your wise words. I too am stage IV and every time a drug starts to fail and a new regime is started I go through the same battle with fear - mostly of the side effects and how they will impact our lives, I might say! - and depression. It does pass but I do find I gain a great deal from this site too. Hope your scan was good and best wishes. Izzy

JulSoul profile image
JulSoul in reply to spouseM

You are a beautiful writer, with an inspiring message! Praying for positive results from your CT scan.

spouseM profile image
spouseM in reply to JulSoul

Thank you JulSoul, I wish the best for you also!

Michelle

Jan_Schnabel1 profile image
Jan_Schnabel1

I am so sorry to hear of your struggles. I have been on Ibrance and Letrozole since January. I get a little tired the last few days but otherwise, have had no side effects. I feel very fortunate. But I also exercise a lot and take a lot of supplements which I know really help. Jana.

marianne88 profile image
marianne88 in reply to Jan_Schnabel1

What do you take for supplements

Jan_Schnabel1 profile image
Jan_Schnabel1 in reply to marianne88

I take Calcium, D3, Flaxseed, Krill Oil, and mega doses of Turmeric with Curcumin.

Tap321 profile image
Tap321

I take ginger pills. I think it helps

marianne88 profile image
marianne88 in reply to Tap321

Is that ginger root

Tap321 profile image
Tap321 in reply to marianne88

Not sure. Just get it from health food store

Tap321 profile image
Tap321

It is different for all. It was hardest first few or several months and got better for me.

spouseM profile image
spouseM

I have taken this for 1 year. I remember the first weeks being very tired. I dont know if it was the med or the reality of my diagnosis. I say go with it, if you feel tired, rest up. Allow the meds and the reality to sink in, then as it becomes more familiar see if you can increase your activity. This will give you more energy. Be well my friend.

wendle3007 profile image
wendle3007

Hi. I find the tiredness increases through each course, as do all of the side effects. As others have mentioned, exercise really will help. On your "good weeks" try to do more and you'll find on the weeks that you have been experiencing fatigue you'll have a bit more energy because your muscles are used to the exercise. I'm not necessarily meaning doing full workout at the gym, but walking or swimming is very good and low impact. Going for even a short walk (just around your garden if you have one) on your lowest days will make a big difference. It's very easy to fall into a lethargy cycle - the less you do, the less you want to do.Best wishes, Wendy