Med Side Effects & Tumor Markers

[Survivornow]

Well, I saw my Oncologist's Assistant today and explained that taking the Ibrance 75 mg and Tamoxifen 10 mg every other day wasn't working for me and I had only taken half of my dosage for the month. She informed me that I was supposed to be taking it every day! Say what?! Never heard that! And she wants me to at least take the Ibrance after lunch for 7 days, then 2 days off till my next PET SCAN December 10th. She also mentioned something I've never heard, that my tumor markers look great! They have never mentioned my tumor markers. Ever. But she is insistant that I take at least the Ibrance till then. She also told me that by not taking anything, I was risking cancer showing up somewhere else, even tho all the evidence of cancer may be gone from my chest wall & lung. I told her I was doing everything natural that I can to avoid that.

[Southside25]

My understanding is that MBC cannot be cured, only treated. I'm taking Ibrance/letrozole and will continue to take it as long as it works. You never go off the drugs even if there is no evidence of disease. It's manageable, somewhat like diabetes, but not curable.

[mariootsi]

I pray for continued success on your treatment.

[hdhonda]

Glad your tumor markers are down. I would follow my oncologist advice even with good tumor markers. Best wishes. Blessings Hannah

[MusicRose]

I agree with Southside 85. MBC can be controlled, even to “No Evident Disease or NED” but not cured. I too take meds - Letrazole ( Femara) 2.5 mg ( aromatase inhibitor) daily and Palbociclib ( Ibrance) 125 daily for 21 dats then 7 off then back on for 21. Been at this for 2.5 years and will stay on as long as NED. The theory is there are undetectable cells that the meds keep dormant ( sleeping, not dividing and growing) . Do both - meds and natural healing. But take the meds. Wishing you strength and healing

[Euebdbdbddh]

Hi I have been on Ibrace 2 years. Beginning was not great , had horrible side effects , ended up in Hospital. It was HORRIBLE . After 2-3 months it got better . Hope this helps

[Lisa-n-AZ]

Hello, I am currently on my 32nd cycle of Ibrance 125mg/ Letrozole. I have been NED for just over 2 years. Here is to staying NED and staying on same meds. The devil I know is much better than the chemo I don't. Mouth sores and fatigue are manageable. Stay low and run fast...and we can stay ahead of it.