low labs

[worldtravel75]

after only 2 weeks on Ibrance my platelets have dropped from 200,000 to 117,000 and my neutrophils are 1.1 with wbc 2.2. - to me this is quite a drop but oncologist said that is why they take you off 1 week per month to try to recoup. anyone else have this much of a drop without problems?

[Hidden]

My wbcs are usually around 3+. My neutrifils are low but bounce back. The first round I took a 3 week break because of low numbers. You will either adjust or maybe dose changed.

[Barbteeth]

Hi there

My neutrophils are around 1.0 and my oncologist is happy with that

I’m on 100mg dose..was only on 125mg for 2 weeks due to neutrophils plummeting..been on the lower dose now for 6 months

Hope that helps

Barb xx

[worldtravel75 in reply to Barbteeth]

thanks to you and nRocks - they are going to leave me on the 125 until my labs again in 2 weeks - my platelets plummeting almost have me more worried but my oncology team doesn't seem upset so we'll see. Its good to see how other people respond and how their meds are changed so thanks to you both

[Barbteeth in reply to worldtravel75]

Hi there

It’s early days and even if you have to change to a lower dose it’s just as effective apparently..which raises the question why give us a high dose?

My oncologist told me she only has one patient who can tolerate the 125mg so the rest of her patients are on 100 or 75mg

You’ll get there

Barb xx

[worldtravel75 in reply to Barbteeth]

thanks Barb - don't know what I would do without this site

[blms in reply to worldtravel75]

I agree!! Great women sharing our rough ride. At Lombardi onco said sane, very few people tolerate 125, most on 100. I had same experience as you and felt AWFUL on 125

[Teddielottie]

Hello! It is usual to be checked after the first two weeks on ibrance , but normally I and most people on here have bloods tested monthly thereafter, towards the end of my week off (usually around day 26 ...usually on a Friday for me , as they do bounce back up after i come off the 21 day ibrance cycle . So just give it a bit longer... I have been fortunate to have tolerated 125mg Ibrance so far (just started my 13th cycle ie., 1 year on Ibrance / Letrozole combo.) But don’t worry , as in the early stages , it is not uncommon to be given a week extra to recoup , or even later , to be reduced to 100mg ibrance (or some to 75mg) , if it works better for you ...and many women on here are on that dosage and do well with it! I have just had a flow sheet for the first time from my chemo nurse ,which shows over the last 7 months my wbc have between 3.3 and 4.3 , my neutrophyls between 1.8 and 2.39 and my platelets between 179 and 226 , so they can vary a lot month to month ! ... Just hang in there and trust your onc., who will do what’s best for you , as everyone is different ! Wishing you well on this combo x

[Snowcone16]

Had similar. We measured again a week later and it was acceptable. I took like 3,000 mg of C daily just in case. I did get sick once and onco made me go to urgent care for labs. Everything was fine though. ❤️

[Bailey3266]

Hi. I too have been on 125 mg Ibrance somewhat successfully for 13 months. I wish you well & don’t have much insight to labs. My INC doesn’t really review the labs & not sure what they all mean. I guess I intentionally remain blissfully unaware...I know that’s silly & I should advocate for myself but more; but I guess all I can handle is taking the pills and getting my scans & bloodwork every 3 months-which scanxiety is horrible enough for me that maybe is why I let my lab values lie unexplained. I am very optimistic st times that I could live for years; but at same time I feel impending doom that this Med will stop working & then what? Immunotherapy sounds promising & I think when all options are exhausted (my INC says there are “several” options after Ibrance) I will do clinical trial to help others potentially survive this nightmare & hope my participation leads to a real “cure”. I’m in a rant, sorry; but I began my “journey” (hate that term in 2010 & I hate October & the word journey and cure; but I do believe that immunotherapy and one other type of treatment Experimental Alpelisib May Help Treat Advanced-Stage, Hormone-Receptor-Positive, HER2-Negative Breast Cancer With Specific Mutation are both promising!). Good luck to all & happy holidays🎄!

[Hidden in reply to Bailey3266]

Agree that the word “journey” doesn’t quite do it justice, but haven’t found a better socially acceptable alternative. Also hate October and the pink celebration and all the d@mn Ibrance ads. When I’m watching HGTV I just want to zone out...I am pretty ignorant of all the research by choice. It’s an effort for me to have a “normal” life with this “new normal”. Hoping for that miracle but have Plan B...Pray to God and hope the Ibrance keeps working. I’ve been on it for over 3 years.

[worldtravel75 in reply to Hidden]

So glad to hear how long this has been working for you

[Nananewf54]

My has dropped 2 times already.... .05 and .o8..took me off for extra week after my 21day treatment ..

[Hidden]

I always have to have a three week break instead of one week with my Ibrance. My neutrophils drop low each month. My dose was lowered to 100 mg and so far it’s the same. This weeks blood work after one week off my neutrophil count was 0.3. Mine will go above 1.5 and then I restart by Ibrance. My doctor isn’t sure if it is better to go to 75 and only have one week off or stay at 100 but be off three weeks. He said I am his trial patient but not sure I like being that. I wish there was clear evidence of which would be better.

[Nelsonyong]

Hi. Just to share with you my mom experience with low neutrophils. Her count was down to below 0.5 last year during chemo. Strange thing happen to her where she became very confuse and started doing and acting weird things. Those are the very rare side effects of neutropenia. Ask your close one to keep an eyes on you and shall you behave strangely, pls urgent to hosp. Take care

[mariootsi]

Had my blood labs yesterday.Low again in platelets. Need labs again in a week. It just seems this is the ongoing battle with Ibrance. It is just the way it works I guess! I wish you well. Love, Marianne

[blms]

Yep, common although shocking!!

[worldtravel75]

again - thanks to all for your insights.i am now just going to go blissfully ahead!

[NPmary]

Not to worry, as long as neutrophils are 1.0 or more you can take ibrance. When its too low it's called neutropenic good news hardly anyone on Ibrance with neutropenic get a bad infection that puts them in the hospital. My ibrance dose has been lowered twice over the last14 months. I'm on 75 mg now doing ok and finally just had a month without neutropenia.

[Hidden in reply to NPmary]

My doctor won’t let me restart until my neutrophils are 1.5

[Bailey3266 in reply to NPmary]

Wow; thanks for insight there; sincecday 1 on ibrance I’ve had consuming fear that I could be here today-gone tomorrow (literally). I don’t go crazy with antibacterial sand I fly and take both mom & mother-in-law both in 80’s to all their medical appts (germs galore-🤞). Prayers & best wishes to all!

Fondly,

Bailey5

[hdhonda]

I am finishing 20th round of 125 Ibrance. I have problems with counts but have discovered they are lowest the week off and then start rising after that regardless of whether I skip a day or two. They are always low. My onc likes them to be one or higher . I think we just have a new normal. Blessings, Hannah

[Julie2233]

Yes, I think the drops are expected and mine dropped in a similar way to yours.

My neutrophils stayed at 1.2 for first few months on ibrance (125) they then rose to 1.4. I was told that as long as they didn’t drop under 1 there was no concern.

I find that if I get a graze it takes longer to heal and colds hit me harder and take longer to go but apart from that I feel very fit and healthy.

When I was having TAC chemo for my primary breast cancer 2 yrs ago I was admitted to hospital because my neutrophils had dropped to 0.1 but I felt absolutely fine. I was released when they rose to 0.7.

Your medical team will watch your blood results carefully and will have set parameters that determine their action.

[Hidden]

Reading all these great responses from the strong, fabulous women on this site makes me teary eyed. So many people sharing their clinical experiences and opening their hearts to complete strangers. How often does that happen??? Human nature has potential to be kind and generous as seen here. Sometimes I get so jaded. I really depend on this site for support and inspiration. You all rock!!! 🕺💃💫

[Juliandrea in reply to Hidden]

Well said Nrocks, I feel the same way. I stay focused and sane by reading everyone’s post. I come from work do all that I have to, and as soon as I sit down, I connect with each of you. Although I have tons of support, if I didn’t have all of you, I would not be in a good place. Thank you

[Mimigram]

I did i picked up a virus and ended up in the hospital. They lowered my dose from 125mg to 100mg. I am do much better and my wbc does not drop as much.

[Bailey3266 in reply to Mimigram]

Hope you are well? It must be so scary?

My

Biggest fear of ibrance is infection (other than losing its effective SS or low blood counts) how long have you been on Inrance/Femara combo?

[Terilyn12]

I have been on Ibrance (125) and letrozole since May 2018 - my neutrophils stay between .3 - .5 and my hematology oncologist is keeping me at the 125 level . You just have to be really careful - wear mask, watch for germs like a crazy person. It’s working so I am holding on!! (My wbc stays around 1.4 - 1.6)

Having an oncologist who is also a hematologist is a blessing and gives me that extra confidence!!