Drug break

[Bekadawn]

So I am MBC with extensive bone Mets. I was premenopausal so they put me on Lupron inj. I also take Xgeva for my bones, Letrozole and Ibrance, along with various other pain meds, depression and anxiety meds and several different nausea meds. For 3 months I have been very sick with vomiting and bowel issues.

They have run tests and done procedures and we can't figure it out. So I am thinking of stopping all medications for a month and then adding each one back one at a time to see if it is med related. Not sure if my Dr will be onboard. I know my husband is not.

Thoughts?

[Hidden]

Hi Bekadawn - I'm sorry that I have no advice or insight re: your terrible stomach/digestive issues, but I have to chime in with one piece of info about treatment. Like you, I was diagnosed with bone mets, premenopausal(ly?)...At diagnosis, I had one tumor, T12 vertebra, 2.5 cms. I got onto Ibrance right away, and took the Lupron shots, and 7 months later I had widespread bone mets, dozens of small tumors. I finally had the oopherectomy (sp?) my docs had recommended, and since that time -- more than 2 years ago -- my condition is stable w/ actually slight improvement. I'm still on Ibrance/Letrezole. Most docs would have switched me with the progression at 7 months in, but my onc thought that if I got the ovaries out, that might give the meds a better chance at success, and it looks like that's exactly what happened. I'm so grateful that my doc had that perspective because I feel like it's already added two years to my life...if I had not had the oophorectomy or if i had ditched Ibrance for the next best thing, I'd be two years into the next treatment, and probably the next one, or who knows what! I feel like this is one of my most important "lessons learned'...pluck out those ovaries and stay the course (in spite of progression) on Ibrance...so thought i'd share.

Best wishes to you, and i really am so sorry about your stomach/digestive issues plus the depression and anxiety. Take care...

[lpostmus in reply to Hidden]

I agree in the ovary removal. Thats the tirst tjing my doctor had me do after radiation plus going on Arimidex and I am 4 plus years out with NED. I think its key when one is metestatic snd ER+

[Shelly265 in reply to Hidden]

I can’t agree more on the ovary removal. I was on Lupron shots that caused all sorts of issues. After my opherectomy life was so much better. I did go through some depression but overall it was worth it!

[Wintervt in reply to Shelly265]

I’ve asked my doctor to remove my ovaries because I hate having a Lupron injection each month.

[spouseM]

I like the idea. Have a look at the vid as well: youtube.com/watch?v=t1b08X-...(Not working as expected?)

I fast sometimes up to 3-4 days (excepting black coffee (I am an addict!) and a hand full of nuts and dried fruit when I take my Ibrance and Let.), up to 2 times a month. It has had no ill effect at all.

My very best to you. It sure seems like a miserable way to live right now. I hope your health care providers are open to your idea.