My first post

[Semple]

I was diagnosed with MBC June of last year at age 79 and I am still in shock. I was on Tamoxifen for 3 months which made the breast lump bigger. I am now on Ibrance and Faslodex and so far show shrinkage in breast and 2 lymph nodes lumps. Aside from occasional tiredness and nausea, no other side effects from the medication. However, I have gained almost 10 pounds. Has anyone experienced weight gain from Ibrance/Faslodex.

[Barbteeth]

Hi Semple

I’ve actually lost weight with Ibrance and letrazole..I do feel nauseous though quite a lot so just pick at food..can’t eat big meals

Nice to meet you and love the pic of your dog..what a cutie

Barb xx

[Semple in reply to Barbteeth]

Hi, Barbteeth. I know most patients experience loss of appetite with Ibrance. My oncologist is actually glad I am gaining weight. Maybe It’s because I am

eating more protein to help with blood count and not exercising as much as I used to.

The important thing is the treatment is working with minimal side effects and I am grateful.

Nice to meet you too.

[Arkait]

Hi Semple. I am 81, --so feel akin to you in age---but I was first diagnosed

with stage III MBC 5 and a half

years ago. I had both breasts removed, but 5 and a half years later,

the cancer moved to my right lung and chest lymph and sternum, 'I have

opted to take only Letrozol, for now (started about 5 or 6 weeks ago) to

see what happens. I have fluid in my right lung which curren†ly ge†s

drained every other day with hopes it will dry up. I am also looking

to take other supplem,entys besides Letrozol, as I hate side effects

from anything. I am also struggling with heart valve issues--

so being eighty not so fun

Mary in Maine

[Semple in reply to Arkait]

Were you surprised to learn you have MBC in your 70s? I thought it was uncommon for older women to have BC, specially if there is no family history of BC, that’s why I didn’t ask to have mammograms after I turned 75. My primary doctor didn’t say anything about mammograms either.

Anyway, I am glad my treatment is working. I am hoping to hear from women in our age group as we have our own issues; living alone, children living far away, financial problems, needing care givers, etc.

I am sorry you’re having complications right now. A lot of women here are on Letrozol and having good results with it, so give it time. I agree, old age is a challenge. Hang in there.

[Rotagirl in reply to Arkait]

Hi Arkait, I am 78, in the UK and was diagnosed last May with mets in bones, lung and liver, having had BC when I was 70, had lumpectomy, radiotherapy and took a pill for 5 years then Wham it was back and had spread. I started letrozole and palbociclib (ibrance) in August. So far it is holding back the cancer. My hair is very thin....I look 90! So I often wear a beret when out. My breathlessness was a problem and after an echocardiogram they found I have a leaking heart valve. Waiting to see if anything can/will be done. You're right, getting old is no joke plus this MBC...well! I meet up with friends a lot and we have coffee or lunch, perhaps that is why I have put on some weight, plus not as active as I was before diagnosis. Wishing you well with your treatments, hang in there. Fay

[SoCalLady]

Seems like the meds are doing what they should. Welcome to this site. Does Medicare pay for Ibrance & Faslodex or do you have private insurance?

[Zebra2018 in reply to SoCalLady]

Hi SoCalLady, I am 70 and met in my neck bone. started IBRANCE, faslodex and xgeva in December 2018! I paid 25% of the price for IBRANCE, first month which was around $2400 and after that you pay 5% which is around $630 monthly for the remainder of the year! However Medicare pays for the other 2! It is expensive to be sick.

[SoCalLady in reply to Zebra2018]

Thank you Z. I will have to look into it further with my Medicare plan. Was told by my Onc Insurance Dept that my Ibrance (or equiv: Ribociclib) would be $2,700 and Faslodex $650 monthly. I have Aarp United Health Care Advantage which is an HMO. Am I understanding that your Ibrance & Faslodex are both going through Medicare? You might have a better plan than me, and maybe I need to switch in October.

[Zebra2018 in reply to SoCalLady]

I think the shuts that administer by onc is covered by Medicare 80% and my supplemental insurance (I have Aetna) pays the rest of it. I don’t have Medicare advantage insurance. For part D drug I also have Aetna which pays for my IBRANCE.

Good luck. It is so expensive to be sick! I hope they lower the price because we have to take it as long as we are alive!

[Semple]

Yes, so far meds are working great. My oncologist is already checking new medication soon to be approved by FDA, should the need arise. I have private insurance, but I am almost sure Medicare pays for them. I have a friend with Crohn’s Disease and her treatments are also expensive Medicare pays for them.

I love SoCal. My sister lived in San Diego.

[4thTimesTheCharm]

Hey, Semple. Glad you’re on the I+F treatment now as it seems to be helping you. As far as weight gain, yes some for mr too, but I think the cause is indirect. I mean that it’s not the drugs per se, but our lack of ability to tolerate moderately vigorous activity, or even steady activity that matched our levels before MBC and drugs and fatigue. Combine that sudden-tendency towards a sedentary life-style, and POOF we gain a pound here and there.

It also doesn’t help when I go off on the occasional pity-party and snack like crazy for 2-3 days until I straighten myself up! By making myself more aware of my tendency to binge off, I’ve been a bit successful in curbing my snacking, shrinking my portion sizes, and drinking lots more water. I also don’t tell myself “I can’t have X-Y-Z” as doing so will surely set me up to gobble all at the first opportunity. “Just a taste” works for me in these situations. I’m down 9 pounds from the 15 I picked up since last April.

Don’t lose hope, and don’t beat yourself up. Just eat as healthy as you can and enjoy a little of the yummy stuff and play with that adorable pooch as much as you can to increase your happy activity.

(Sorry for the book!)

[Semple in reply to 4thTimesTheCharm]

Yes, a couple other ladies said the meds don’t cause weight gain. I guess the lack of exercise, a bit more calories and depression are to blame. I feel better already. Those I can control.

I enjoyed reading your chatty, informative book. Have a good evening.

[HopeinNJ]

I’ve also gained 10 pounds on IBRANCE/letrozole combo but in my case, I honestly feel a little depression and stress eating contributed more than the meds.

[Rotagirl]

Hi Semple, hang in there. I have been on letrozole and palbociclib since last August and so far so good...it is holding it back. I thank God I do not have young children to care for and I feel intensely for those ladies on this site who are in such a position. I have a very supportive husband and family and friends have turned up trumps. Wishing you well through this journey nobody wanted Fay

[Semple in reply to Rotagirl]

I know what you mean, Fay. I feel for the ladies who are struggling with raising their children and/or holding a full time job and have this, too? Lord, give them strength. As I said before, I am so glad I am old.

[Hidden]

In addition to wishing you well, I want to thank you for making me smile with the photo of your adorable dog! So cute! I bet your dog is good company.

[Semple in reply to Hidden]

Max is very photogenic, a good companion, and a true lap dog. Wishing you well also.

[Arkait]

Yes, indeed, i was surprised to get breast cancer in my 70s. I'd not

had a mammogram for 13 years. Mine had already spread under my

arm to lymph nodes, so I had all that taken out. Two years later, had

second breast involved, so took that breast off, also. I was urged to

take Letrozol at that time, but refused. DId have radiation. Then,

5 and a half years later, it turns up in my right lung. For that I

agreed to start Letrozol, but am avoiding Ibrance, for now (I hate

drugs, and am already on a blood pressure medicine since 2011

when I had an aortic valve replacement surgery.). So, I am

uncertain if the damn cancer will spread to my other lung, or

wherever, and I have pleural effusion from it, which fluids have

to be drained every other day. I am on Letrozol for only under 2 months.

Have no idea what's next. I am researchaing all kinds of alternative

stuff, just to keep my hopes up, as Oncologist has gloomy outlook.

[Hidden in reply to Arkait]

For what it’s worth I’ve found ibrance tolerable.

[Kate407 in reply to Hidden]

Have you asked your Oncologist to reduce the dosage. It still works and has fewer side effects. I'm 66 and on Letrozole 2.5 mg, and 75mg Ibrance at 15 days on and 15 days off. Fatigue, low WBC and low Platelets are the side effects I experience for the most part.

You might consider getting a different Oncologist who's not so gloomy. That's the last thing we need, while trying to fight this dreaded disease!

Praying for you.🤗

[Julie2233]

Tell me about it! I gained weight with tamoxifen, lost some when I stopped tamoxifen, and continued gaining with ibrance and fastlodex - 2 stone in 2 years. Previously I've never had a problem with my weight, I still eat healthily, watch my calories, don't drink much and am very active. The consultant told me that it was important that I didn't try to lose weight but I'd really like to stop gaining it! I'm 51.

[Semple]

I have been on this site 2 days and I am reading several women’s first cancer diagnosis have already spread to other parts of the body. Did you have regular mammograms? I did until I turned 75 when my insurance no longer scheduled regular mammograms. At first I blamed them 100%. I probably should have at least ask my primary doctor about it. Now, I may be passing this horrible genes to my daughter, granddaughters and nieces and their daughters!

I am glad you’re putting weight back on and how lucky to have a live in chef and husband! I am on my 7 day break, which always me feel like my old self before MBC. I know the anxiety on lab, scans and oncologist appointments. But hearing good news from the onc gives you strength to go through the whole cycle again.

Max is our first dog. He will be 5 in October. He is a Shi-Poo mix and a joy.

Sending you positive thoughts for your scan next week.

Tess

[RLN-overcomer]

Sister/warrior you have a cute doggie. I am sure he/she brings you great joy. XoXoXo

[Semple in reply to RLN-overcomer]

Yes, Max is super cute. Having him on my lap calms me most days, but I do have days I want to be completely alone. I hope you’re having a good day, RLN-overcomes.

[The-artist]

Yes I have gained a lot of weight but I think it’s from the estrogen blocker. I’m on Anastrozole/Arimidex

[Semple]

Good morning. After reading other ladies experiences with weight gain, I realized it’s not something to be too stressed about. I am not familiar with your treatment but I hope it is working well and you are having a good day.