Just starting ibrance

[Kimr2081]

I was originally diagnosed in 2002 and had a bilateral mastectomy and then in 2006 it moved to my bone and had 28 rounds of radiation. 11 years with no evidence of cancer then in August it reared its ugly head. I am not on ibrance and Letrozole. I honestly do not feel any different so it seems that I am tolerating the medication fairly well. Am suffering from insomnia but my doctor thinks that's from the Letrozole. I am not an overly vain person but hoping I really don't lose my hair. It doesn't seem to be thinning. I just started my 4th round. Sounds like not everyone looses their hair. I have been wanting to join a community like this to share war stories and find encouragement from others.

[tmills64]

I just started my 10th cycle, my hair thinned a little but has now stopped. Good luck and God Bless!!!

[Kimr2081 in reply to tmills64]

That is good to know. Thanks and same to you!!

[darlenejulien]

2014 I had a mastectomy & then end of Aug. 2017 I was told it metastasized to the bone in my spine. I just finished my 3rd round of Ibrance. No real side effects other then being real tired during the day, but I have issues sleeping at night. I was told that I would not lose my hair, it's a bit dry but that's it. My 1st scan will be in Jan. just hoping it hasn't spread. When they did the marker it was just a tad higher & I was told it usually climbs before it drops. I'd like to know about the testing of Ibrance. The good & bad. I'm glad what I do hear is all good, but is that all too good to be true! Sending good vibes!

[Kimr2081 in reply to darlenejulien]

Are you also taking Letrozole? I am and my doctor said that it can cause menopausal symptoms which of course can include insomnia. He feels it will get better but in the meantime I take 1/2 of an Ambien almost every night. I hate doing that but I also hate not sleeping. In the middle of my third cycle they tested my tumor markers and they had both gone down. My doctor was happy about that so of course I was too. Hope it continues. No scans for me until the first part of the year. He wants a good 6 cycles of Ibrance under my belt. I hope it's not all too good to be true. Stupid cancer. We have to try and be stronger and better than it is!! Hang in there.

[BeckyHobson]

Sounds like you are a strong woman that isn’t going to let this get the better of her. 👍. Attitude is everything.

19 months of Ibrance and Letrozole and I still have a full head of hair😊. It is pretty dry no matter how much I condition but all still there .

Keep up the good fight and Welcome to the group !

[Cheryk]

I have breast cancer stage 4 went to bones was doning good but it jist rear its ugly head again i will be starting ibrance on thursday and shots i feel the same way i really dont want to loss my hair im really nervous about starting this so we shall she how it goes.

[Kimr2081 in reply to Cheryk]

Not sure if it is helping but it can't hurt - I take biotin everyday and am using Nioxin shampoo and conditioner. Like I said it may not be helping but it makes me feel better doing something. Another friend who has naturally thin hair uses a product she gets at Whole Foods called Collagen Peptides from Vital Proteins. She said it has helped her enormously.

[darlenejulien in reply to Cheryk]

I'm stage 4 also, it went to the bone in my spine. Ibrance is the new miracle drug & everyone seems to do well on it with minimal side effects. No hair loss, just a bit dry. The shots do hurt a little but not unbearable. I'm tired during the day & try not to nap, but then at night I'm wide awake! Welcome to the group & fight, fight, fight!

[Kimr2081 in reply to darlenejulien]

Thanks and yep we have to fight!! If you aren't opposed to it I would try and get some Ambien or something. It sucks not to sleep and I have to work each day and would be useless.

[sweeetk in reply to darlenejulien]

Shots from what? Xgeva?

Since Ibrance are pills.

[darlenejulien in reply to sweeetk]

I get 2 injections a month, Xgeva & faslodex.

[Selmac]

Sounds like you are doing well with Ibrance. I will start my 5th round Saturday. Also on femara, have been for over 3 years. Now that I'm stage 4 I am also on faslodex and xgeva. I am losing my hair. It bothers me. I hope you continue not having that problem.

[darlenejulien in reply to Selmac]

I was taken off the femara when I was DX with MBC.

[Kimr2081]

Thanks - I was on Faslodex for 11 years but when it appeared again they switched to the Ibrance and Letrozole. I hope your hair loss gets better. When I went through chemo initially and wore a wig I hated it. Felt like I had a swim cap on all day. UGH

[Kiera49]

Hi I have been on Ibrance since feb 2019 and dont notice a difference when I'm on it or when it's my week off, good luck with it.