Ibrance helping pain: Hi ladies I had a... - SHARE Metastatic ...

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Ibrance helping pain

Barbteeth profile image
17 Replies

Hi ladies

I had a vertebrae fracture discovered in April..that’s when my bone mets were found..big shock after 24 years after initial cancer

I’ve had radiotherapy to the fracture which helped a little but I’m still in pain

I’m starting Ibrance again but on a lower dose of 100mg..been on letrazole for 3 months

My question is this..will Ibrance help with the pain?..apart from this I’m not feeling too bad but it’s spoiling my life as I can’t do the things I enjoy

Love to all

B x

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Barbteeth profile image
Barbteeth
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17 Replies
Clair19 profile image
Clair19

I can’t tell you yes, however if it shrinks the tumors or tumor I would think that would help pain. I have had it in spine and lung after almost 18 years. I would suggest a mild pain medication until then. Tylenol or Advil, if ok with oncologist. I so far haven’t had a fx, probably just luck. I will say I don’t run anymore or extreme workouts. I miss the gym and my friends but they are filled with germs. My spine is filled with lesions, so I’m very careful. I’m scared to end up in a wheelchair or worse.

Barbteeth profile image
Barbteeth in reply to Clair19

Thanks Clair

I also have widespread bone mets but still ride my horse but it hurts where I had the fracture..as you say the medication if shrinks the tumour may help the fracture to heal..I wish someone could just say’youll be fine in 2 months) but mbc is so uncertain and I get cross sometimes!!

Best wishes

B x

Clair19 profile image
Clair19 in reply to Barbteeth

Your so polite, it’s cute. I won’t say what words I use, as I’m a military brat when I get upset. You might have a little arthritis where you have the fx. I’m glad you’re doing things you love, good for you. I’m just a bit to cautious but do live my life as much as you can with always worrying. My friend fractured a couple spots on spine and ended up with electric wheelchair. She also has a more aggressive form of Braca. She was only 46 now twice they thought it returned. I worry because they see other spots but just come to a conclusion without more tests, however if it does only harsh treatment for Barca. She is now just 51. I was wondering how long you started riding after your fracture.? The Nurse coming out in me asking questions. 😁

Barbteeth profile image
Barbteeth in reply to Clair19

Hi Clair

I was riding when I felt the fracture happen..my horse was pulling and I got the most horrendous pain between my shoulder blades..still rode a few times but in agony

Had about 3 months not riding but miserable as it’s my passion..so back in the saddle..think will just increase pain medication and try that..I don’t really like taking codeine or morphine but occasionally I guess is ok

Hate this disease!!

B xx

Clair19 profile image
Clair19 in reply to Barbteeth

Yeah me too, it’s a real pain in the ass, no pun intended. You just have to make lite because it can literally drive you crazy. It’s so demanding on your life, family, friends. I just knew one day it would return but not when, so I went on with life, got remarried and wham! I would never have thought it would have went to rt lung because I had recent x-ray when I had resection of breast’s. I think when I had trouble breathing from workouts. I hope your pain subsides and yes take your pain medicine. I take Percocet for breakthrough pain. Just be careful because it can mask your pain when riding and you might not realize your hurt. Hope you feel better. I know it’s the hardest thing we will go through in our lifetime, health wise anyway.

Barbteeth profile image
Barbteeth in reply to Clair19

Hiya

Thanks for your good wishes

It must have been horrid to get recurrence after getting married

I’m defo going to take a strong painkiller when riding and not do stupid stuff..no jumping for example..I have one of those air vests that inflated if you part company with your horse!!

I wish you well

B xx

PJBinMI profile image
PJBinMI

Hi, I agree with Clair19 that healing the fracture and the met there is likely to help with the pain. Do talk with your onc about what pain meds to use and what to not use. I've been advised that when it comes to OTC pain meds, acetaminophen is the only one I should be using. You have several things going for you! One is the long time between initial bc and finding mets--that suggests a cancer that is not aggressive and fast growing. Alot of us with an E + mbc, bone mets only, and a good response to hormonal treatment do well for a long time. I had bone mets from the time of initial diagnosis, over 14 years ago. I've never had fractures or pain from the mets. I met a woman with mbc on another web place who rode and showed horses and won a big event on a mare that was also a cancer survivor! My long time onc, who just retired, rescues retired race horses. I had horses as a kid but haven't ridden in a long long time though I sure understand being passionate about horses and riding. My husband and I are animal lovers and just rescued a tiny kitten found abandoned at about 4 weeks old. I've never had a kitten without its mother before! A very different experience! He is generally either extremely active or asleep! Only in-between to eat and use the litter box. Ask your onc about whether you might get some relief by wearing a wrap around back brace when you ride. I have one that is about 8 inches wide from a non cancer related back issue and it does help when I garden, not that I have done that this year, unfortunately. I hope you do well. Much to be hopeful about.

Clair19 profile image
Clair19 in reply to PJBinMI

Glad you rescued a kitten. At 4 weeks it would not have made it. Before my second diagnosis we rescued a Manx, omg! She is a mess literally. She loves socks and carries them until she can’t and drops them in my husbands shoes! She had a bowel prolapse and no one wanted her. She does drop poop but I love her so much. Manx continue to grow up to 5 years, she is 10 pounds at 2 years. Good luck with your new baby and of course your health.

Barbteeth profile image
Barbteeth in reply to PJBinMI

Hi pjb

Thanks for your positive reply and advice re pain medication

I love cats as well and have two.. marmaduke and twinkle..also have a rabbit called domino..guess what colour he is!!!

Always have had a menagerie..can’t be without my fur babies

Best wishes

B x

SeattleMom profile image
SeattleMom

Hi, Barb!

My mets were primarily in my spine; and I began treatment with ten rounds of radiology to that area. My back remained achy for a couple of months but the follow-up with letrozole/Ibrance relieved the pain primarily by diminishing the mets. Not sure if either of these have pain-killer qualities.

I used a heating pad on my back for a while and it helped a lot. After pain diminished, I just used a couple of tabs of X strength Tylenol and that seemed to knock it.

Sometimes, I find that taking the Tylenol at night seems to relieve discomfort the following day. I do find that, with above average activity; i.e. lifting, excess muscle movement, etc., my aches kick in.

I truly feel that eventually you find what works best for you! XO Linda

Barbteeth profile image
Barbteeth in reply to SeattleMom

Hiya

I think we just have to experiment with different painkillers and find out what works and vice versa

I’m wary of using heating pads or hot water bottles as I burnt my skin by overusing..stupid I know!!

I was prescribed morphine capsules for pain but prefer not to use these

Whole things a nightmare

B xx

BeckyHobson profile image
BeckyHobson

I’m pretty much the same story as you. I don’t think the Ibrance or any of the drugs help with the pain where the break is BUT since the radiation gets rid of the cancer, the bone does heal itself so that relieves the pain. I had relief within just a couple weeks of radiation to remove the tumors in the bones. Stay strong and take those pain meds as needed.

Barbteeth profile image
Barbteeth in reply to BeckyHobson

Hi Becky

How long does radiation take to work?.. I had one dose on the fracture area and maybe my expectations were too high..I’ll take my painkillers and carry on !!

I just want the old me back but that’ll never happen ..disheartening

B x

BeckyHobson profile image
BeckyHobson in reply to Barbteeth

Good morning! Keep that chin up Barb.

It did take some time for the pain to subside after radiation. When you say “one dose” do you mean just one day on the table or did you go get radiation several days in a row? I’ve always had at least 10 days of radiation.

Hang in there and don’t feel bad using the meds until it subsides. If you are getting no relief then I would definitely talk with your oncologist.

I use alternative relief as well. I love my essential oils, do yoga, walking, swimming. Try anything to get your mind off of the pain and praying for you that you find something to help.

NPmary profile image
NPmary

A little more than a year ago l had tremendous bone pain (lots of bone mets including a vertebral fracture). It took months for the radiation therapy to make a difference but it has l am in less pain. Ibrance doesn't decrease pain per se.

Barbteeth profile image
Barbteeth in reply to NPmary

Hi there

Thanks for that

I was persuaded to have a vertebraplasty in October to help the pain but the result was disappointing and I wish I hadn’t bothered as I need strong painkillers in order to function

The surgeon who did the procedure had trouble getting the cement into the fracture as the radiotherapy had hardened the bone....so that obviously did do something .. I’m just hoping now that time will heal..I’ve started having shiatsu massages which helps a bit..and is enjoyable

All the best

Barb xx

NPmary profile image
NPmary

Sorry you went thru that and have to be on pain killers. Take care, Mary.

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