Verzenio

[Ycats277]

So my kidney function are very low 31 GFR NEVER was before . Now that’s scary . Has anyone’s kidney function go low on therapy. Did they get better . He just lowered my verzenio from 150 mg to 100 twice a day . I hope this works and still works on the cancer . Now more to worry about .

[Hidden]

I see that is a possible side effect of taking Verzenio (copied from their info sheet): "Liver problems. VERZENIO can cause serious liver problems. Your healthcare provider should do blood tests to check

your liver before and during treatment with VERZENIO. If you develop liver problems during treatment with VERZENIO,

your healthcare provider may reduce your dose or stop your treatment. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you

have any of the following signs and symptoms of liver problems:"

So I am sure he will continue to monitor it and hopefully, the lower dosage will be better.

I am also on Verzenio. I have mets to the lungs and spine. My last CT Scan my onco told me that the report stated that there is severe inflammation in my lungs that is NOT caused by the breast cancer. The onco told me she was more concerned with the inflammation they are seeing in my lungs. I am having another CT scan at beg. of January. I then seen that Verzenio, in a small amount of women, states below:

"Lung problems. VERZENIO may cause severe or life-threatening inflammation of the lungs during treatment that can

lead to death. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you have any new or worsening symptoms, including:

– trouble breathing or shortness of breath

– cough with or without mucus

– chest pain

"

I could not handle the 150 mgs., nor the 100 mgs. so I am on smallest dose of 50 mg. twice per day but I think if this inflammation or bacterial infection (they are not sure...next CT scan will show more) , then I will be taken off this medication.

The fun never ends.

[Ycats277 in reply to Hidden]

It’s my kidneys not liver . My fingers are crossed for you also that we can get to NED ❤️thank for responding. He reduced me to 100 mg from 150 . Just had my PET SCAN WAITING 😢for results . Crying all the time . Xx

[Hidden in reply to Ycats277]

That was me this week. I only lasted on Ibrance for three months not because of progression, but I had very low wbc on it, developed an infection in my leg that would not clear up bc my immune system was shot, had to have surgery and they had to cut tunnels in my upper thigh and it took FOUR months for them to close. My onco said she had to take me off the Ibrance. I hated it. My week off I was so so sick. But now nervous that I am on Verzenio that my last CT scan showed severe inflammation of my lungs. So now waiting until beg. of January until my next CT scan. If the severe inflammation is still there (which I am suspecting it will be), they will have to take me off verzenio bc that is a rare, but still, a side effect of taking Verzenio. That would not be good.

As for the injections. Even during my recovery during surgery (which was a horror bc my immune system was so bad), I still only got my injections. The falsodex injections is the easiest part of this whole treatment. They give them to me (I go to a cancer center) to get warm after they take out of fridge. 5 mins holding both under my armpits. And its nothing more than a pinch for me and I can easily sit down and walk and feel no pain. Just a pinch but then again, I have a meaty butt Sometimes it is itchy in that area (been doing the injections for about a year and a half) for a day or so, but other than that, it's nothing.

[Ycats277 in reply to Hidden]

Me too the shots but I also get zometa infusions when I go 1 a month for shots . The infusion is 30 minutes . No big deal and they warm the shots also . I can’t stop crying though and feel mentally exhausted 😩

[Hidden in reply to Ycats277]

I had a week of crying on and off. Besides what is going on with my physically, a friend in the hopes of cheering me up a few months ago sent me an Ancestry DNA kit. I was completely confused when the results came back. I am 59 and also thought I was 1/2 Puerto Rican (mother side who died when I was four and she no had no family or was estranged from them) so I was then raised by my PATERNAL Irish grandmother. It came back that I was 38% European Jewish and no IRISH (I look more Puerto Rican and olive skin and dark hair and eyes). When she died, I was sent to live with her brother and his wife. My father never came over to visit me even while his mother was raising me but I found out (I was born in 1960...different times) that he was NOT my biological father. Found out another man was (he is also deceased) who was 35 when he met my mother and she was 22. I was out of wedlock so my Irish Paternal grandmother forced my father (who admitted to being with my mother) after I was born. He then had to pay child support, medical and my schooling for years until I was 18 when raised by my Great Aunt and Uncle. Turns out he was NEVER my bio father. Some other man is and I apparently have three 1/2 siblings through him with 1/2 niece and 1/2 nephews (adults now) and loads of 1/2 great nieces and nephews. I cried for a week straight bc I was not prepared for this. This was on top of dealing with this crappy disease. I decided after a week that I am who I am because of who raised me anyway and my life experiences. I have no desire to connect with any of the 1/2 siblings (67 and 65, I am 59). I am over it now but it was a rough time.

Crying is good and cleanses the soul. We are all going to have those times, but then we just get up again and do what we have to do.

[Gwennie123 in reply to Hidden]

I like your spirit. You r inspiring. I cried all afternoon today.

Let’s see what tomorrow brings.

[Hidden in reply to Gwennie123]

I thought the stage iv was the last kick in the butt to me from this life. I literally threw up when I first got the news via email from a DNA detective. It never even occurred to me that my bcf was not my bio father. I just could not understand why all these paternal side matches were names that I never even heard of and close matches (RED FLAG). I am on another support group for people who takes these tests and are called NPE (Not parent expected). You would be shocked. It says at least 10% of people who take the DNA test will find out that their father is not their bio father or that they have 1/2 siblings. 10% may not seem like alot until you realize that Ancestry DNA has over 15 million people's DNA in their databases. Think carefully bc choosing this as a gift for somebody.

[Ycats277 in reply to Hidden]

Omg 😳, that’s some story ! I don’t know why I never a answered this nine months ago but it was probably because I was having troubles myself at the time sorry. I think you should write a memoir that is so intriguing. I would want to meet every single one of those people and feel I had nothing to lose and maybe learn something about my own health but that’s just me. I hope you’re OK I’m doing OKBut not mentally I have been having a crying week. Oh well the ups and downs that we have to deal with the strong keep your chin up and live day today XX

[Hidden in reply to Ycats277]

Abemaciclib (Verzenio™) | OncoLink

oncolink.org › cancer-treatment › oncolink-rx › abemaciclib-..

.

Sep 23, 2019 - This medication can cause kidney problems, including an increased creatinine level, which your oncology care team may monitor for using blood tests. Notify your healthcare provider if you notice decreased urine output, blood in the urine, swelling in the ankles, or loss of appetite.

I am sure your onco is monitoring it.

[mariootsi in reply to Ycats277]

I pray for good scan results!

[Lokio in reply to Hidden]

I was on Verzenio for 7 months. I developed lung problems. I was quite ill. At first they thought it was covid but it wasn't. It was inflammation of the lungs! I was off targeted treatment for almost 3 months. Now I'm on Ibrance. I'm doing much better! I also am taking letrazole and monthly treatments of falsodex and zometa. It's quite the regime! My PET scan will be in October. If you need to go off Verzenio there are other treatments.

Wishing you the best,

Sue

[hdhonda]

Dear Greb, I had my kidney function go in the stage 3 range before I MBC. I went to a nephrologist. He did a bunch of testing. I went to him monthly for a year. He didn't give medication to me but talked me through it. There are many things you need to give up/reduce intake. I no longer take over the counter pain relievers, limit salt, etc. He gently talked to me each month and was an encourager. He talked me into life style changes. I am now stage 2 and have been for a number of years. You need to see a nephrologist. You can

make the necessary changes. Drink lots of water. You can bring it down. Best wishes. Blessings, Hannah

[Ycats277 in reply to hdhonda]

Dear hdhonda, I loved your response so much that I would love to hear more tips . My kidney number is 31 . I am happy you are now stage 2 . I am dreading to have to go to another doctor, my oncologist hasn’t sent me yet , he just lowered my meds . I am going to watch my salt , tonight will be my last hotdog . Please tell me more tricks if you don’t mind , hugs 🤗

[hdhonda in reply to Ycats277]

Hi Greb,

Mine wasn't caused by chemo. It was long before I was diagnosed stage 4. It was believed that metformin caused it. I was taken off of it immediately and put on another diabetes drug. You don't have to give up anything. Just start being aware of how much salt is in your food when possible. I always look at salt content when shopping. I never add salt to anything. I don't deny myself. The stages of kidney failure are - stage 1 normal GFR greater than 90, stage 2 mild decline GFR 60-89, stage 3 moderate decline GFR 30-59, stage 4 severe decline GFR 15-29, Stage 5 kidney failure, GFR less than 15.

It is normal for kidney function to decline as we age. You just want to keep it under control. I strongly suggest that you see a nephrologist or your family doctor for advice. You will need to be monitored. I was told to never take NSAID's again. I have a few times. My internist does it now.

My husband's GFR was in low 30's on his last blood test. They are going to recheck it to make sure that it was not a lab error or a fluke before proceeding.

I don't think you need to worry too much about it at this stage. You can turn it around. It did take more than stopping metformin to turn mine around. Salt and NSAID's are big culprits. Others are high blood pressure, high blood sugar, high cholesterol. Staying hydrated is good. Just follow your doctors recommendations. Blessings, Hannah

[Ycats277 in reply to hdhonda]

Thank you Hannah I will listen and go to nephrologist. You did make me feel better ty ❤️hugs Stacy

[Ycats277]

Omg 😳, that’s some story ! I don’t know why I never a answered this nine months ago but it was probably because I was having troubles myself at the time sorry. I think you should write a memoir that is so intriguing. I would want to meet every single one of those people and feel I had nothing to lose and maybe learn something about my own health but that’s just me. I hope you’re OK I’m doing OKBut not mentally I have been having a crying week. Oh well the ups and downs that we have to deal with the strong keep your chin up and live day today XX