Faslodex and Ibrance

[Jerseygirl45]

I am new to the group. I received my first Faslodex injection on Fri, I also take Ibrance. Has anyone had side effects from this combination?

[HopeinNJ]

I’m taking Letrozole and IBRANCE since Nov 2017 and tolerate them both very well. My markers are down 75 percents and half my tumors (Lung nodules) have disappeared! Good luck. I’m sure you will have great success!

[Hidden in reply to HopeinNJ]

Thank you for replying. I am glad you are doing better. I was on letrozle and Ibrance for 18 mo. The only side effect was some hair thinnning. My back hurts most of the time so I need to sit for 20 min then I can get up and maybe vacuum or something. Tumor markers started to go up pet scan showed new timers. I just started the Faslodex this week. Hope it works. Hope you continue to improve. Nice to be able to talk to people that understand what I am saying. Talk to you soon.

[SusieIM]

Welcome Jerseygirl45. I take ibrance, femara and faslodex injection. I am on my 5th cycle of ibrance and femara, the injection for faslodex is every 3 months. It is different for every person but so far I noticed I am tired, have some aches, lately some leg cramps at night, some tingling. I can work, I try to take care, rest extra. Overall I am doing good. I wish you well, I am sure you will do well too. Drink plenty of liquids.

[Hidden in reply to SusieIM]

Thank you, I am going to have the injection once a month along with Ibrance and exgeva. Hoping it will lower my markers quickly. Glad to hear you still work. I was diagnosed July 2016. I went on disability until radiation was finished. I was 72 years at the time and decided to retire and take some trips while I can. Glad to hear you are doing well, I guess we just need to keep pushing on.

[Clair19 in reply to Hidden]

I know we all get treated different but usually with Faslodex they load you up. I got 2 injections every 2 weeks for 3 cycles., then monthly. Just wanted to mention in case they give them like that you would be prepared. I notice some fatigue but not bad and no hair thinning. Good luck...

[Hidden in reply to SusieIM]

Thank you. I will have Faslodex every two weeks three times then once a month. I also take Ibrance and xgeva. So glad you are doing well. I am lucky to have been able to retire and take some trips. Just nice to find this group of people to talk to. When markers whet up again thought this was it. Until I found this group and now I know there are always new meds to try. Hope you have a good day.

[lynnhbtb]

HI JG45 -- I've had three sets of Faslodex injections and one round of Ibrance so far. Most side effects I've noticed that I think are from Faslodex is insomnia and increased hot flashes. The first night after getting the shots I am somewhat achey in my back and pelvis, but that gets better with movement. With the Ibrance my white counts and ANC (absolute nutrophils) as well as red cell counts are down. My dr. is holding off on the second round of Ibrance to see if my white counts come up. Also, I've had some intestinal distress, nothing awful, but just more bloated and gassy. They started me on 75 mg. Hope you have an easy time of it. From what I can see, it's the best treatment for MBC. Take care.

[darlenejulien]

Welcome to the group! I started Ibrance (125mg) in Sept 2017 with faslodex & Xgeva injections once a month. So far my only side effect has been fatigue & thinning hair. My met's is in the bone in my spine. So far my scan (due for #2 in a month) has shown that the cancer is "controlled". I guess thats a good thing, not sure if this can go into remission or will just be controlled. Take care

[Hidden in reply to darlenejulien]

Thank you, glad you are doing well. I have been on Ibrance for 18 cycles, I guess that is what caused the thinning hair. My mets are also in the spine,pelvis upper arms etc. did have one in. My lung that they say went away. I have pet scans every 4 months. Blood work once a month. All in all I feel ok , tired back will begin to burn need to sit awhile. But could be worse. Hoping to get markers down again. Good to have people to talk to. Thank you.

[lynzer]

Hi, Welcome to the group. I've been taking a combination of falsodex, Ibrance and Xgeva for about 3 months. So far the regression is controlled and I feel much better than on Chemo. I have Metastatic Breast cancer that spread to spine and bones. The only side effects I have, is achy bones and hot flashes. I have been working every day and it seems manageable. Also, yoga, walking and movement helps.

Lynn

[Hidden in reply to lynzer]

So glad you are doing well on this combo. I hope it works for me as well. I also have mets that spread to the bones. I never know if my aches are from cancer or the fact that I am getting older. Pets scan showed arthritis in knees, so I will be going for gel injections. When first diagnosed in 2016, I felt like I only had months to live. Now it is 18 months and I am feeling more hopeful. Joining this site this week is sooo good. IThere are women dealing with this for 12 and 14 years. Gives me hope that I have a long life ahead of me.. will deal with the bumps as they come along.

Thank you for getting back to me. I feel better about my new treatment. Hope you continue to do well also.

[lynzer in reply to Hidden]

I also have have arthritis so it’s hard to tell if it’s that or cancer!!!

[beachlover65 in reply to lynzer]

Hello Lynn!

I started on the drug combo that you are on in November. I have had a hard time adjusting and my markers have gone up from 81 to 146. I want to keep trying this, but I'm having my doubts. Did your markers go down, or remain steady so far?

[lynzer in reply to beachlover65]

I don’t know...I’ll get scans mid April. Hopefully not!! Did your doctor change your treatments?

[Kimr2081]

I have not taken them together. I was on Faslodex for 11 years and had no side effects. I had five cycles of Ibrance and Letrozole recently and didn't really have any side effects. I am off on another regiment of drugs now. Been on a clinical trial for 28 days. Think I am doing okay with them, at least for the time being. Good luck and hope you do well on them.

[Hidden in reply to Kimr2081]

Thank you for getting back to me. 11 years sounds good to me. Feeling better already.

[Kimr2081]

Prayers for us all!!

[lashinator]

Welcome to the group. I too am new. Thought my insomnia was due to my heightened anxiety. Now I'm seeing it could be the drugs. !!! I was never a good sleeper, but have since discovered the 20 min power nap to be awesome. I have not given up my rigorous gym routine, but have finally accepted the realization that I must add yoga. Starting that next week. Trying everything....

[HopeinNJ]

Where in NJ do you live? Not sure if I told you about Mary’s Place by the Sea. Wonderful retreat in Ocean Grove. I live in Rockaway NJ. Go into Sloan for second opinions but my oncology group is out of Morristown NJ.

[Hidden in reply to HopeinNJ]

I live in Bayonne NJ, not to far from Rockaway. My daughter lives in Denville NJ. I go to cancer center in Newark as it is so close to me. What cancer center do you go to in Morristown?

[HopeinNJ in reply to Hidden]

I work in Denville. Saint Clares Hospital as an RN. hematology and oncology associates.

[Hidden in reply to HopeinNJ]

Wow, my daughter loves St Claire's. How do you work with being tired all the time? I was not so tired until I started all the meds. Was working 12 hrs a day 3 days 4 hr one day. I could not do that now. What is NED

[Jerseygirl45 in reply to Hidden]

I had 2 accounts somehow.one with old email. Not sure how that happened. Deleated 2getinfo I am jerseygirl45.

[HopeinNJ in reply to Jerseygirl45]

No evidence of disease. I work as a nurse educator 4 days a week. 9 hour days. I can leave early if I’m tired. I am very tired most of the time. Bedtime is 9 pm. I’m hoping to rejuvenate with warmer weather on the horizon.

[Jerseygirl45 in reply to HopeinNJ]

I know I have had enough of this weather, don't want to get out of my chair. Going on a cruise at the end of the month, can't wait I have done all I can in the house, it is very clean. I want to be able to go outside and read. Need some air.

[HopeinNJ in reply to Jerseygirl45]

Me too. Going to Austin Texas next week for no reason other than to get away!

[Jerseygirl45 in reply to HopeinNJ]

I would love 2 go there. But I hate flying. Thinking of driving.

[Jerseygirl45]

I have seen a commercial twice on tv. They have discovered a fluid in the body that they think it is they way cancer spreads to other parts of the body. They are working on seeing how they can block the cells in the fluid from spreading. That would be great. Won't stop cancer but maybe keep it from metastasizing.

[Snowcone16]

I started my letrozole and Ibrance on April 24. Feb 24 was my first faslodex injection. In March, they added xgeva. So this past Tuesday, got all 4..faslodex, letrozole, xgeva and Ibrance. My blood work Tuesday showed low iron. Honestly, I noticed it was low when we did it February but I figured it was just a one day thing. Dr told me to start taking 325 mg of iron. Overnight I felt like my old energy returned. So, actually since Tuesday, I have felt really good.

[Jerseygirl45 in reply to Snowcone16]

That is great news.

[DebRachal]

Just soreness from the injections. But it is getting better. I've had 2 and Monday, March 18 will be 3rd.