Ibrance Letrozole Newbie

[lindak220]

Just started my first round about a week ago. Took till last night but the nausea seems to be kicking in. For whatever reason, I seem to get every possible side effect that ever seems to come with any prescription drug. Have any of you tried holistically to combat the nausea? I hate prescription drugs all together so being on this targeted therapy is pretty hard on me mentally as well as physically. Any suggestions welcome!

[Barbteeth]

Hi Linda

I’m exactly the same as you with prescription drugs..I think of Ibrance as poison but have to take..no debate!!

I find that ginger tea helped me..some ladies on this site have experimented with taking Ibrance at different times..I remember one lady recommended taking it at night ..this worked for her but we are all different

Your body will adjust to the Ibrance..make sure you take it with food..I find yogurt works well

I also take probiotics to encourage healthy gut flora

Sorry I’m not much help..don’t despair you’ll find a way

Barb xx

[lindak220 in reply to Barbteeth]

Thanks Barb. Yeah, I forgot to grab my ginger tea before leaving the house. I do have a solid probiotoc in the fridge at home too...i'll havre to go back to taking that too. I do take the Ibrance / Letrozole combo in the evening after I eat dinner and then I usually go for a walk to help with digestion.

Appreciate you jumping in so quick. I feel like I am on a deserted island. I have a super awesome support system in family and friends but I really hate to always burden them with how awful this is making me feel.

Gotta keep moving and pushing through!

[dreamboatannie in reply to lindak220]

Ginger tea,carrot juice and plain yogurt with honey and applesauce have been great in combating nausea

[lindak220 in reply to dreamboatannie]

Thank you for the additional suggestions! I Actually have unsweetened applesauce in the fridge now. I think I will use that to take my meds in a little bit (just finished dinner ... My goal is to get the meds in between 7:30-9:00 pm daily).

[Snowcone16]

You can try adjusting the time. I took mine at 5pm. When I had nausea (which wasn’t constant), I would take it with ondansetron. Even if I didn’t feel nauseous, I would combine it a couple of days. It works pretty quickly. I also can alternate w compazine. For me, each cycle was different. And each week was different too. 🤗

[lindak220 in reply to Snowcone16]

Thanks for the suggestions. I'll make note of those other drugs but to be honest am not a fan of the whole poly-pharmacy thing. I can't take at 5. I work full time and on a good day am not home till 5:45 and I eat dinner then take the pills within 30 min of eating then go for a brisk walk. Thanks for the feedback!

[Jamie724]

What dose are you taking? It may need to be lowered. I've had to decrease to 75 from 125. Had all the side effects too. But feeling good on this dose. The only thing I found for nausea was ginger tea and medical marijuana. Now I don't need either.

[lindak220 in reply to Jamie724]

I'm on 125 mg. Not sure why he hit me with such a high dose out of the gate. Cells from my scan showed up in 2 lymph Nodes and no where else (most of the lymphnode in my neck was surgically removed for biopsy. A small portion was attached to my spinal nerve so that did not get removed). My doc is on vaca this week and I see him again next week for bloodwork. I will raise the question of lowering the dose. Thanks!

[lovetopaint in reply to lindak220]

I was at a MBC Conference this weekend and the Ibrance rep said that the high dose is needed to start with, but it can be lowered after 2 cycles. I have been on anastrozole for 5 months and Ibrance for 2 cycles and my 2 cm breast tumor no longer shows on PET/CT scan. So the combo does work! I was diagnosed in May 2018 de novo with one brain tumor and one breast tumor. Brain tumor surgically removed and they left breast tumor in--partly to see how drugs worked--plus they said outcome in stage 4 is not better if breast tumor is removed. Drink lots of water, eat well, and exercise. Best to all of you!

[shannamilton]

I second the dose lowering. I'm in the same boat as getting every possible side effect. I start my second round Sunday, but it will be at 100mg instead of 125. Hope it help. Ginger tea is definitely the way to go.

[lindak220 in reply to shannamilton]

I brought my Ginger Peach tea as well as a Ginger Turmeric tea today to work! First real fall feeling day too so a cup of hot tea will be welcome on many levels!!

[Kimr2081]

I have heard that peppermint works really well. Also, not sure how you feel about this but I used some CBD oil that helped. Not sure that is available everywhere.

[lindak220 in reply to Kimr2081]

Hi Kim! I have also heard about peppermint. I do have some peppermint tea as well. As for the medical marijuana, still waiting on my card (I live in IL). Not opposed to it and my Onc signed the paperwork right away. I need something natural in this whole regimen to keep me sane! Thanks for the note!

[pinkeins]

I use CBD oil. A few drops and the nausea stops. It also really helps you to sleep at night.

[Kate407 in reply to pinkeins]

Pinkeins, Where do you get the CBD oil and how do you know how much to use?

[Kimr2081]

I am with you about using more natural things. I have changed all of my skin care and household products to be chemically free. It is one way I feel in control of what's going on. CBD oil is good for a lot of things. We even give it to my dog for her arthritis. I am in CA so there is a dispensary on every corner and since its legal here everyone has access. Hope it helps.

[lindak220 in reply to Kimr2081]

Yeah. In IL still not legal and very monitored. Have you ever tried the gummies? I have heard good things about them as well. Do you capsulize the CBD oil or,just a few drops under your tongue?

After my first go round with BC, I started making a lot of my skincare products. Had to revert back to commercial lotions as eczema found its way to my chest and to date Eucerin is the main brand that works for me. Shampoo and conditioner is all natural and I have reduced how much I physically wash my hair vs. Use homemade dry shampoo. I use vinegar for so many things too! I've definitely learned a lot about a more simple way of life because of this disease and actually appreciate it much more.

[Gwennie123 in reply to lindak220]

I use shampoo sparingly . But I use conditioner ONLY every time.

It also helps with curly hair

[Kimr2081]

I haven't tried the gummies but my friend has and for her they relax her. Yes, I put the CBD under my tongue. They make CBD oils with hemp. I wonder if you could that without the license. I feel like maybe I should have started this natural product thing earlier and maybe I wouldn't be where I am now but I try not to look back since I can't change things and just have to do the best for me going forward. Take care and hope you feel better soon.

[lindak220 in reply to Kimr2081]

Woulda, coulda and shoulda. I play that game every day on what I should have done yo prevent all this. The only thing I can do is stay on top of my kids so it does noy happen to them. Thank goodness my BRCA gene was not affected (I had the test run during my first go round with BC). Hope we ALL feel better.

[blms]

Try with biggest meal and drink a gallon of water daily

[blms]

And yes! Ginger tea is great!Note: the CBD you can buy anywhere I found useless. But I bought some recently

In Vegas at a dispensary and bought highest dosage dropper bottle, $100, and one drop works pretty well

[Klamato]

I find drinking ginger ale really helps! If I need more help, I use Zofran, it always does the trick! Hope this helps!

[lindak220 in reply to Klamato]

Thanks for the suggestions! I'm trying to stay away from extra meds. I just got my confirmation letter that I should have my card soon! Once I get the card I will experiment on the weekend! I don't think my employer would appreciate me showing up to work half baked.

[Ange0901]

Do you take it either with or straight after your biggest meal of the day? I was advised to do this and haven’t had any nausea. I take it around 8pm which is when we eat.

[lindak220 in reply to Ange0901]

Hi Ange, yes my biggest meal is dinner and I also strive to take between 7:30-9:00 as we do not always eat at the exact same time. Nausea has been come and go but the newest thing I have to contend with is leg cramps. It could be my diet though..,plan on discussing with my daughter (who is my personal Registered Dietician) this evening.

[Ange0901 in reply to lindak220]

Hi Linda.

My right leg really aches and feels crampy, especially at night. It’s so uncomfortable when I’m trying to sleep. My oncologist says all of my aches and pains are down to the zoldex and letrozole and that there’s nothing I can do about it. 😳

Please let me know if your daughter suggests anything.

[Bishtown]

My evening meal is usually my largest meal, so I take my Ibrance in the middle of the meal...eat half of the meal, take pill, and then eat rest of the meal. Surrounding the pill with food seems to help with side effects. I have no nausea at all. Only side effect seems to be some tiredness, but am coping pretty well with that.

[lindak220 in reply to Bishtown]

Agree. I can deal with the fatigue. It's feeling crappy and not getting proper sleep that does me in. I had a rough night last night and have more or less been up (with intermittent sleep) since 1:30 a.m.... TGIF!

[hdhonda]

I take a ondansetron pill when I take Ibrance and never get nauseous. I have always heard that nausea medication needs to be taken before one gets nauseated. It works for me. Good luck to you. Hannah

[Terilyn12]

I was the same for first few rounds and then it gets better. I have tried cbd oil but find that I need the THC also in order to combat the pain or nausea - unfortunately not legal in TX

[Merma]

I take compazine with the Ibrance. That really helps.

[mjmom]

I take Ibrance at noon and Letrozole at 8pm. I didn’t have any side effects other than a mouth sore that went away after using CBD oil.

[Have-faith]

Hi. I used a "sea band" to prevent nausea. A friend suggested it when I was afraid I might not handle the Ibrance. I don't know if it was psychological or not, but I did not experience nausea. A sea band is used for sea sickness or pregnancy sickness. It works by applying pressure to an acupuncture point. You can buy them on Amazon or Wholefoods. I hope this helps.