I have a scan tomorrow and I’m terrified. I have been on ibrance/letrozole for a year now. My first scan was excellent and my second scan was even better than they could have expected! My oncologist said if it stays like this I’ll live to 108!! Haha.
So afraid it’s not going to be the same(no reason) massive scanaxiety. I have 1 spot in my lymph nodes on the opposite side and a very time bone met!!
Does everyone feel this way? Anyone been on ibrance for a while? I’ve read about 20 months average?
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Ppppopp
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Hi, I get scan anxiety all the time. I get scanned every three months. Congratulations on the past two results. Will be thinking of you and wishing for another excellent scan! Keep us posted. Best of luck!!
I have been on Ibrance/letrozole 33 months with all great scans. Next week I will have bone and ct scans again. Praying for good results again but I really don’t stress about it. We make it a mini vacation in Houston and go out to dinner and visit dear friends. You sound like your Mets are small and stable. You should be fine for a long time. Enjoy living and pray for a cure.
I have been on ibrance and stable on it for just over 2 years . I’m sure you will be fine tomorrow , but we all get some degree of scanxiety , especially close to the appointment ! Good luck 🤗 x
I can relate!! I have my mammogram and a CT scan scheduled for the 27th. Then middle of February a bone density check. I feel good but like everyone else every twitch or sore spot you wonder is that more cancer. I know it's easier said than done but stay positive worrying isn't going to change anything!!!
I get it to and have been on Ibrance since April 2016- in fact I have scan coming up in a couple months - I do every six months . I hope yours goes well.
Hey I’ve my 3 rd scan in Feb I’m nervous to hell too , I’ve been on the same Ibrance n letrazole for 16 months and feel fab. Bone scan was clear too. I’m hoping to last years n years on these or others out there. I’ll fight fight fight
I know that feeling. Since I have changed to private care, I get a total body MRI and CT scan every nine weeks. This is great in one way but it seems so little time until the next one comes round again. I have both on Friday. It should have been next Tuesday and results from oncologist on Wednesday. Unfortunately the machines are getting serviced next week so scans brought forward. Should not complain as at least the oncologist is getting an up to date picture very often.
Just went through this with scans this week. The scanaxiety is terrible! I'm one year into treatment also with Ibrance. I'm finding that just going with it is somewhat helpful. Know you will be nervous and maybe plan a treat for after. My treat is a browse through a craft store on the way home. We have all been there!
I would be surprised if you said that you did not have any anxiety. Many of us feel anxious around that time. Please try to stay positive! Mine is on 14th February.
We are get anxiety with each scan. I have just started my 35th month of Ibrance. I worry every quarter when scan time comes around. Good luck with your scan. Blessings Hannah
As you are likely to hear, EVERYONE suffers from MBC scanxiety. I’m sure it never disappears no matter how long you’ve been treated.
I was diagnosed with MBC in November 2017, now 2 years, 2 months on the Ibrance/Letrozole combo, following initial radiation treatments.
Yesterday I had my first onc appointment in six months, along with blood draw. Onc said all looked well and she’s recommending I proceed with blood draw every 3 months with annual pet scan. This comes with reminder that if any pain or unusual health issue arises, to contact them right away.
My spread was much more extensive than yours, including solid lump in armpit and several mets to spine and pelvic bone. Knowing that, as of today, MBC is incurable, just keep remembering that the scan is the most important method of detecting progression. And alternative treatments are out there fortunately.
God bless you, Poppy. Being anxious is totally normal. Just imagine all of our arms wrapped around you in a warm embrace!!
my mets are to pelvis and all of my spine... Spine looks like Swiss cheese, but I keep going. Have blood draws every month even though one oncologist says she doesn't think they mean anything. Scans every six months.
I was on 18 months. It worked great, but I couldn’t tolerate the drug any longer.
It’s normal to be worried prior to a scan. I’ve been doing this for 7 years, and that never changes. Remind yourself that even if something does show up, there’s always another treatment waiting for you. Ibrance wasn’t in existence when I started this roller coaster ride, and maybe my next drug is being released today. Sending hugs and positive energy.
54 months of treatment... started Ibrance and Letrozole in August 2015; switched to Anastrozole at year end. first follow up scan in Nov 2015 indicated tumors were shrinking.NEAD with March 2016 scan. stable and NEAD with each scan, thereafter. as of last scan in 2019, on the 8 month scan plan; onc will adjust if bloodwork or i indicate concerns.even with "excellent" (per onc) bloodwork and "normal range" tumor markers, still experience scanxiety. for me, each scan is a new experience, thus the scanxiety.
I too get worried before I get my scan results. The scan I am going to have next week is particularly adding worry as my tumor markers have been above normal for the past two months. I am waiting on the results form my latest blood test.
Worrying will not change the results. I wish I could focus on the positive things like the fact that I feel good, have energy and can do most everything physically I want.
I have been on Ibrance and Letrozole for 18 months.
In April 2018, I had mets in my spine, right hip and a 2cm dot in my right lung. Since starting Ibrance and Letrozole I have no progression of the cancer . The 2cm dot had disappeared on my lung.
I got the results on my January tumor marker today. It has dropped to 45.
My understanding is that the average efficacy is now around. 34 months. I’ve been on IBrance for 45 months. And there is another effective drug as a back up and more in the pipeline. It’s hard not to be terrified, but since that’s a tough emotion that probably isn’t conducive to good health, I hope you can find someone or something to help you through it.
At 45 months, I definitely get worried between scans. But I’m a long term survivor (first diagnosis in ‘94), so I tell myself I’ll continue to help stretch the average ....and see my first grandchild born in May, and hopefully the second — my son gets married this summer. Remember, the drug has only been on the market for 5 years. They really don’t know the full effects yet.
I've been on Ibrance and anastrazole for 18 months and have scans every six months. My anxiety comes after the scans - waiting for the results. Hope they went well -- the Paloma study showed that Ibrance improved longevity from 14.8 months to 24.8 months but many people seem to have gone longer than that. Other folks???
A lot of us feel this way! I have been on Ibrance letrazole with good numbers for 15 months and I still stress about scans. Thankfully the most recent one two weeks ago was good. Sorry this stresses us out. It’s natural to fret.
19 months on same drugs for me too Ppppopp. I have Mets to spine, skull, multiple bilateral ribs and sacroiliac. I also have some “spots” on lungs and liver.
So I feel that every day that I don’t get bad news is a good day.
My next scans are on 4th February.
This is a wonderful string of posts for anyone wanting to see how well we are all doing. Loving what you started here. Thank you.
I get horrible scan anxiety, I have been on Ibrance/Letrozole for going on 3 years in May and all my scans have been great , I had 1 bone met . Yet every time leading up to the next one it's horrible, I'm trying not to worry until I have something to worry about! We'll see how that goes!
I recognise this very well, today I got the answer from my last scan, NED again, started Ibrance April this year. I am so thankful this medicine exist🥰
Your not alone. My scans are Monday and I find that I always expect the worst.. So far I have been on the Ibrance for a year and been blessed with good results and what I consider manageable side effects. I keep thinking it wont always be this way. Best wishes for continued response to the Ibrance for you.
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