I was diagnosed in June 2018 with stage 4 MBC to the bones. Was on Ibrance and Femara until about 2 months ago. I had a pet scan done and it showed some progression in the bones but nowhere else. My oncologist took me off Femara and put me on Faslodex. I have had 3 treatments of the Faslodex now but my cancer markers continue to climb this past week it was at 549 went from 314. This concerns me anyone else experience this
Thank you in advance
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Lilian848
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I had same experience/ numbers rising on faslodex so ibrance got added on. This may be your next step or onc May Change treatment altogether. I get concerned when my markers rise as my body is sensitive and I know for me it means something is going on. When do you see your dr again? I would discuss how you feel with him/her about this. Good luck.
Thank you for responding. I have been in Ibrance for a year now but since my cancer markers jumped in April the dr took me of Femara and but me on Faslodex. Oddly enough my oncologist called me this morning because she knew I would freak out when I say my cancer markers so high. She told me let wait till next month since I have only had two treatments of the Faslodex so the Saga continues. Hope you have a Blessed day
Ok. Haven’t had the 15 but the 27,29 go up every month so am expecting not good news next pet scan-July 5. I am the type I have to prepare myself for the worst, look fear in the eye and go forward; then whatever it is, if not the worst, will be easier to accept and handle.♥️That’s just me tho
You sound like me. gotta deal with the hand that the good Lord has dealt me and take it one day at a time. It was great corresponding with you. Will keep in touch. Best wishes with your journey
Hi Lilian848 - I'm so sorry for the TM stress, I know it can be awful. From what I understand, it can take several months, up to 6, e.g., for Faslo to really work. Might not bring much comfort, as you stare at the numbers on the screen, but I'm glad your doc is not trigger happy on making a change...Best to you, Lynn
I'm sorry to hear about your rising cancer marker. I assume you're talking about the CA 15-3? I had a similar experience with Faslodex + IBrance; my CA 15-3 also went up over 500. Before that I had been on just Femara for 15 months, from the time I was diagnosed in Oct 2017. It dropped my number from 927 to 18 within three months. But then it started going up gradually and continued to rise so I started Faslodex in February, then two rounds of Ibrance. The CA15-3 kept rising and a scan in May showed new and larger liver mets. I know from other posts here that I'm not the only one who didn't do well on Faslodex, though others have been on it for months or years. It's just so individual.
Have you had a scan recently or are you scheduled for one? Much as I hate getting them and waiting for results, it seems to be the usual course before changing treatment. I recently switched to Xeloda, an oral chemo that I take it 7 days on/7 days off. After just one week it seems the marker has stabilized. I'm very hopeful that it will drop in the next month, and so far no side effects. Whenever I start a new treatment I find it very helpful to search for it here; so many have gone before us and shared their experiences and wisdom.
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