Ibrance Fatigue help

[Fight2016]

This is my first time ever posting anything like this, but I am looking to the breast cancer community for advice. I am on letrozole and ibrance and seem to have overwhelming fatigue as I approach day 21. I work full time and have a kindergartner. I count my blessings daily. Has anyone found any relief from the fatigue? If so what are you doing for it?

[Maludagui]

Hello very good morning 🎀 I am in cycle 13 of ibrance -Letrozole My experience is to have fatigue. I work in a school cafeteria. What I do is when I leave work I bathe, like my lunch and lie down for a while to recover. Then I continue my home activities. I also have 2 days a week a job in the cafeteria of a high school stadium. I really try not to think too much about fatigue. Not all cycles are the same. Get plenty of rest on weekends. We are warriors. If you can 🎀💕 have a nice day 🎀

[hopenowandtomorrow]

I take sublingual vitamin B12. That increases my energy level. ❤️🙏❤️

[Hidden]

I didn’t encounter increased fatigue at a specific time but had overall fatigue after several months. Upon consultation with my doctor, my own research, and advice here, I switched from 125 mg to 100 mg. It’s made a huge difference. I still tire but not in a crushing way. Good luck

[Hidden]

One more thing and apologies for sounding like a broken record to those who’ve seen me post this before. If you’re in the US, you are entitled to ask and receive reasonable accommodations for your condition under the Americans with Disabilities Act. A good non profit neutral site for ideas about the right accommodations for you I recommend is askjan.org

More than 90% of accommodations require no capital outlay by the employer. Accommodations can include increased break times, adjusted tasks, flex time, etc. If you have other questions about this process, please feel free to ask. I’ve helped many folks navigate the process. Good luck

[Sunny2020 in reply to Hidden]

I would like advice for when I go back to work. What is the best way to contact you?

[Fight2016 in reply to Sunny2020]

Not sure if you are meaning me or the person who posted above you. I am new to the app. Is there a way to private message on the app?

[Hidden in reply to Sunny2020]

If you mean me, I’m unsure how to PM on this app

[Red71]

Your problem is common to many of us and there are no great answers. We just suffer through it. But having a full time job and a kindergartener will make it especially tough to get the extra rest that will help. I don’t know what your home situation is, but if someone could takeover kid and dinner chores after work during that time so you could get in a nap it would be really helpful!

[Hidden]

I have had chronic fatigue since starting Ibrance and Letrozole in March 2018. Try takin B12 and Folic Acid. They helped me a little with my fatigue. Other than that try to nap whenever you get a chance. Even 15 minutes at lunch time might help.

[nstonerocks]

All great suggestions and advice. I advocate for juicing greens. I feel noticeably more energy when I drink greens. Sometimes I need a nap after work. I don’t know how you work that in with a young child. Can someone help out, make dinner? Can you get to bed earlier and crash for a few hours on the weekend. The suggestion to lower your dose might help. I’ve been on it about 4 years. Work full time but no kids and I’m 65.

[Livinthedream]

Request a dosage reduction! Immediately!! Ibrance caused me crippling fatigue, and dangerous wbc and neutrophils.

[Hidden]

I don’t know what dose you’re on, but I was on 125 mg for one cycle and had to have dose lowered due to neutrophils. I had a good amount of fatigue on the 125, but it’s been good so far on 75 mg. I’ve been on them for three cycles.

[Mammyhen]

I had my dose lowered to 100. It made a huge difference in the fatigue. I did 125 for 8 months and it never got better. Now I have quality of life.

[Jeremiah2911]

First of all just want to say I’m in awe of us all, but big props to the ladies who work full time while battling this with these meds! Y’all are rockstars!!! I’ve been on Ibrance/Faslodex adventure for a year now and intense fatigue is my number one side effect. What has helped me is high quality B supplements, juicing, green matcha for afternoon pick me up and power naps. Be kind to yourself & your schedule as you get further in to know when you need a break. Acupuncture helps for sleep at night because I get SO tired at 3:00 in the afternoon but wide awake at bedtime. Ahhhhh this journey! I’m glad to read about less fatigue on a lower dosage because I’m switching to 100mg next month! Hallelujah! Prayers are lifted daily for this group and how many lives we will touch because we’re not silently struggling. Have a blessed weekend ❤️

[Fight2016 in reply to Jeremiah2911]

So kind and thanks for all the suggestions!

[Jeremiah2911 in reply to Fight2016]

One more thing that may seem silly but don’t forget to eat throughout the day. These meds have effected my appetite and I’ll go for awhile without eating and then all the sudden feel super wiped out. Eating a snack helps perk me up because our bodies need the fuel even when we don’t feel hungry. This just now happened so sharing!

[Charlie_99]

I also reduced my dosage to 75mg which definitely helped lessen side effects. And I found Vitamin C IV helped my energy levels. I would go once a week. Made me tired the day of my IV but the next day I would pick up.

[Fight2016 in reply to Charlie_99]

They gave you IV vitamin C? Hadn’t heard of doing that before. How did they decide to do this or what made them think it would help?

[Charlie_99]

Hello, sorry for the tardy reply. My Naturopath who specializes in cancer patients recommended the Vitamin C IV. I've been working with him since my diagnosis in 2016 and he's helped me manage the side effects along the way. He's the type who supports the complimentary therapy approach. Has been very helpful for me in getting my digestive system sorted out and helping build my immune system.

[Fight2016 in reply to Charlie_99]

Does your insurance pay for naturopath or is it all out of pocket? Just wondering

[jantexred]

My Insurance provides for a Ibrance Nurse to follow me for 6 months, she is a expert on this drug and suggested I take at night, which I do. I take at dinner time. It seems to help.

[Lordmandy]

Just knowing that it will soon improve gets me through.