Neut count low after first round of Ibrance

[Mootzi]

Hello all. I completed my first cycle of Ibrance 125 mg, and after my week off, my neut count was .83, so I was unable to start cycle 2. I am having to wait 10 days for my next blood test. Is that typical? Does it take that long to get the count up? Thank you for your input.

[KMBL_]

Hi, Mootzi. I had one cycle of 125 and dropped really low. I’m not sure how long it took to come back up, but I want to say it was three weeks. My doctor dropped me straight down to 75 mg after the first cycle. I’ve gone low even on the 75 and have had to be off an extra week. This last cycle, my neutrophils actually popped back up on my week off, so hopefully my body is adjusting. It’s not uncommon to have to stay off longer than a week.

[KateBush]

Hi , my neut count didn’t come up even after 10 days on 100 . I’m on 75 two weeks on two weeks off. Still working well after 1.25 years! Good luck and don’t worry they will find the right dosage and timings for you. Best wishes

[Barbteeth]

It’s early days so don’t worry

My oncologist has only one patient who can tolerate the 125 dose

I’m doing ok on 100 mg with only a few progressions in 18 months

I recall my neutrophils bounced back fairly quickly

Barb XX

[Godbeforme]

I had started ibrance at 100 mg. and took it 5 days on and 2 off. As a result, my neuts never dropped below 1.3 and I felt good. I just made the decision to stop it when I had chest pains ... I was either stupid or brilliant in my decision making, only time will tell. The reason I did the 5 2 is first of all because I heard of it and other dosing schedules and the article said the 5 on 2 off let your neuts recover faster from the treatment and my onc knew what I was doing, but for the record he said 21-7. Everyone is worried about germs and going around sick people, and with good cause, however, I read that your neutrophils are the white blood cells that actually keep your body from getting sick from the bacteria already IN our bodies, our mouths, etc. I'm not recommending you change dosage/method, just stating what I did and had good success with until the chest pains, which happened two nights in a row an hour after taking the med. I felt much better taking the ibrance for the most part, it seemed to take away all my bodily pain caused by the letrozole and I had much better energy. Hope this helps in some way. God bless you xo

[Maludagui]

Hello 🌺 good morning I am in the cycle N.- 14 Ibrance 125 mg / Letrozole 2.5 mg. From the first cycle all my values ​​went down. I have tried to have a diet that raises my immune system values. I drink a lot of berries and eat vegetables. In general, my results have always been for the best. If you feel good, don't mortify yourself much. Give thanks to God every day for a new dawn. Let's go forward despite the adversities 🌺🌹😍

[Klamato]

I just had to take an extra week off of Ibrance due to low white blood cells. This has happened to me a few times, pretty common. It is one of the biggest side effects from Ibrance! You will do fine, I’m sure! Blessings to you!

[Wolverine19]

I had to wait an extra week my first two cycles of ibrance to start up again. FYI I was on ibrance for about eight cycles and recently my cancer has progressing in so I will be going off ibrance. I don't know what will be next probably either piqray or xeloda. I am going to the genomics clinic January 2nd to be evaluated for that.

[Hidden]

Hi Mootzi -

As others have noted, lower dosages seem to be just as effective.

I imagine you know this, but the end of the first week is when your counts are lowest...which is why it's standard procedure to do the labs at that time.

I'll mention that my neutrophils, when measured at the end of the break, have been mostly between .8 and .9 for the duration of my time in Ibrance (almost 5 years), and I've remained on the 125, with no ill effects, e.g. I've not gotten one infectious illness, not even a cold.

But, again, the science seems to point to no decrease in effectiveness at lower doses.

Take care,

Lynn

[Hidden]

CORRECTION: End of the OFF week, not end of the first week...

[Mootzi]

Thanks for getting back to me everyone. I appreciate you!

[ReikoM]

Hi - I don't post that often, but I have to add that my dr has taken me off Ibrance, because my neutrophils were always so low. Even after reducing to 75 mg - every other day.

So starting next week, when I go back for the faslodex injections, I will start taking Vernezio - another CDK inhibitor. This drug is supposed to be easier on your white cell counts...

I'll let you know how it goes. By the way - I was just diagnosed with MBC last June - so I was on Ibrance since July - and stopped in November. I have alot of pills left over - feel so guilty throwing them out!

Judy (Reiko is my Japanese name!)

[Red1246]

No worries - it has happened to many on this site. I had the same experience and when my time off was extended to 3 weeks and the wbc count was still too low, I went down to 100mg. I’ll be starting my 3rd cycle at this dose and see how it goes. My wbc’s are still low but my oncologist isn’t worried. We all metabolize the iBrance differently so don’t worry and try to be patient. It will take a while to find the right dosage for you without compromising your wbc’s.

All the best!

[mariootsi]

I know through my experience with low plateletes, that your onc will adapt your dosage and schedule so you can recover before starting your Ibrance again. It seems to be very individual ized.

Good luck and try not to worry. They will figure it out.

[AuntyJane]

Just finished 4th round of Ibrance. After first round my neutrophils count was so low I now do weekly CBC blood test to monitor. My ANC went down to .2 after first round, then .4 after 2nd round. Dropped dosage on round 3 but I still can’t complete the full 21 day cycle as ANC drops under 1.0 after the 2nd week so my doctor pulls me off. Everyone is so different -after 4 rounds I’m still trying to find what works best for me. Good luck!

Round 1- - 21 days @ 125mg >off 21 days

Round 2 - stop after 14 days @125 mg >off 27 days

Round 3 -19 days @ 100 mg > off 21 days

Round 4 -16 days @ 100 mg > will be off for 21 days

[AimToHelp]

I'm writing on behalf of my wife. She's been on 125 MG Ibrance plus letrozole for two years. Despite widespread cancer in her bones there has been no progression! Her blood tests on day 6 of the off week are sometimes at 0.85 or 0.9 but a re-test on the morning of day 7 comes out above 1.0. That extra recovery time seems to help. Lately she's also trying bone broth. In any case, Ibrance dosage seems to be not so critical for good results. Ibrance has been great for my wife so far. Try to keep that in mind.

[Terilyn12]

I have been on Ibrance almost 2 years .. started at 125 and 12 months ago moved to 100 - I have never been above .7 and been as low as .2. My oncologist is hemotology oncologist so an expert on blood. Push your dr - I have never skipped or delayed my dose and my neu as well as white blood count is low

[Mindysooty]

hi,

Sorry for late reply - mine usually hovers at around 1.1/1.2 . It did once drop to 0.7 and my next round was delayed for a week but by then had bounced back up to 1.8. It's quite common so try not to worry.

best wishes

Josie