Markers stable but not normal range

[lweaver]

Hi,

I've been on Ibrance/Letrazole for 7 months. My markers were very high at diagnosis, but now CA 27 29 is holding in the low 40s. I'm wondering if a higher dose could get it down lower since Im on 75 mg of Ibrance. I'm also doing nutritionist consults which could also boost my immune system. I also wonder if taking a break could be helpful to see if nutrition/ supplements take away my pain.

Just where I am now. Hope everyone has a wonderful Christmas!

LeAnn

[SusieIM]

Hey LeAnn,

I am new to the cancer markers thing. Is 30 considered normal or am I mistaken? If you are in the low 40s, if 30 is normal.....that sounds pretty good, unless I am mistaken. Hope you have a wonderful Christmas too and hope everyone else also does.

I am doing pretty good. I am going to have a pet scan done in January, will see how it goes. My cancer markers were also high (128), after treatment it went down to 49. I just started treatment, this is my third cycle of Ibrance and Femara.

[lweaver in reply to SusieIM]

Hi SusieIM,

Yes 40s are not too bad. Under 38 is considered normal. I still have tumors in my sacrum, spine, and hips. Probably still on cranium too. I want the tumors gone and the pain to stop. I look fairly normal, but the pain reminds me I still have MBC. I can work 30 hours and do almost anything I want. Square dancing has been harder lately. I just want my whole life back. I am doing keto diet and intermittent fasting too.

Sounds like you have responded to treatment, so Im happy for you.

Have a Merry Christmas,

LeAnn

[PJBinMI]

Congratulations on doing so well! One thing to keep in mind is that TMs are not precise, being that a change of 10 points or so can be totally meaningless. So a little bouncing around still indicates stability, which is a great goal to have with mbc. And doing this well on a lower dose of Ibrance is really good news. The lower the dose, the less likelihood of rough side effects. So personally, I wouldn't rock the boat. Is your pain in the joints? I was on Celebrex for a bit of arthritis in the wrist I'd injured, and whenever I've had to go off of it for a procedure, I've had some joint pain from hormonal treatment, but Celebrex 200 mg in the morning generally takes care of that. If OTC meds help, I'd just keep on doing that, but do ask your onc which OTC pain med is best for you to be using. My onc has strongly recommended that I only take acetaminophen and limit the amount I take per day. Pharmacists are good sources of info about what OTC meds to use but they need to know what Rx meds we are using, too. Easier to get to them often than phoning our oncs. There are two pharmacists at the local grocery store pharmacy that have been hugely helpful to me in the past couple of years. I've been living with MBC for almost 14 years, and one of my long periods of stability had the CA 27-28 bouncing around in the 36-57 range. My onc just uses the TMs to make decisions about when to scan. I am fortunate to have a nice polite cancer that is easily controlled (so far, knock on wood, lol). Your response to treatment is really hopeful! More and more of us are living longer and longer......

about boosting immune system, my former DO pcp recommended 1 cup of tart cherry juice a day, plus turmeric (aka curcumin, a spice), fish oil and glucosamine-chondrotin. Boosting the immune system can be helpful. A good place to look for info about CAM is the Annie Appleseed website.

[lweaver]

PBJinMI,

I have pain from bone mets in spine, sacrum, hips, sometimes cranium. I can do everything I did before. I want my tumors gone so I can dance and be normal. I sometimes use CBD balm where my pain is. I don't use any other pain meds and prefer not to use tylenol. I still dance anyway.

What meds did you take in your 14 yr journey? Do you take Ibrance now and if so, how long? Anything else you've done along the way besides what you mentioned? I do now have a nutritionist who tells me what foods to eat and supplements to use. I've taken many supplements over the 8 years between diagnoses.

I do appreciate you sharing your information!

I wish you well and many more years!

LeAnn

[Kate407 in reply to lweaver]

I Weaver, what is CBD balm, please?

[lweaver in reply to Kate407]

Hemp cream that contains cannabidiol.