Which is your worst week? : Hello... - SHARE Metastatic ...

SHARE Metastatic Breast Cancer

6,604 members8,140 posts

Which is your worst week?

Annadm profile image
17 Replies

Hello thriver!

I’m on Ibrance/Letrozole. I’m on day 16 of my 21 day cycle. Every month around this time I feel awful. It feels like I’m coming down with the flu or a bus hit me.

Anyone feel the same towards the end and better energy levels week 1 and 2 ?

Thank you Ladies and have a wonderful evening :)

Written by
Annadm profile image
Annadm
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
17 Replies

Hi Smurf1212...

When I was on Ibrance + Letrozole, I definitely had a cycle of fatigue that hit at about that time, although I think it got progressively worse until the end of the off-week. But I do remember that "hit by a bus" feeling! For a long time I fought it....caffeine, force of will, even Ritalin, but I ended up just admitting to myself that I had to rest a lot and managed my life accordingly.

So, I'm sorry to report that I think it just goes with the territory... but worth it, for the good, effective meds!

Take care (and rest up! :) ),

Lynn

Annadm profile image
Annadm in reply to

Thank you Lynn. I guess I have no choice. Again , thank you for responding 🤗

Annadm profile image
Annadm

Hi Sandra,

WINE is WIN with an E at the end lol. Enjoy it if it helps you. Good luck with your scans tomorrow. Mine are next week. First ones after my first 3 rounds.

Thank you for responding. Keeping you in my prayers 🙏😊

Moon-and-Stars profile image
Moon-and-Stars in reply to Annadm

Wine is Win with an E. That’s hilarious 😂 I’m going to poach that saying. I get really tired in the second week, so day 8-14 roughly. But then on the last week I perk up and sleep better (the insomnia and restless arms and legs improve).

The joys wha?

xxx

LeeannW710 profile image
LeeannW710

Good luck tomorrow!!

Arisgram profile image
Arisgram

It's Scotch for me. The end of the cycle is rough for sure.

How is your husband doing Sandra? Good luck with the scan. Here's to a good result. Cheers!

Andi

Same here. I always think I’m the only one. I feel awful sometimes. I’m on my Denosumab jabs again as well and end of week three the pain raises its ugly head. So, really don’t feel you are alone on this, many of us have the same. Best wishes and release those endorphins

Lordmandy profile image
Lordmandy

Yes!

mariootsi profile image
mariootsi

Yes! I think it's just the way it is on these meds!

mariootsi profile image
mariootsi

Thinking of you, Sandra! Good luck!

SeattleMom profile image
SeattleMom

Probably more affected on week off. Sometimes wiped out with fatigue and nap time feels so great!!

Totheriver profile image
Totheriver

My worst time is the last couple of days of my cycle and the 1st and 2nd day of my week off. I have extreme fatigue those days. On week one and two I almost feel normal 🙂 I often feel anxious when I have to start a new cycle.

Have a good weekend everyone!💕

Red1246 profile image
Red1246

Yes, I too feel more tired last few days of cycle and certainly in the week off. That week usually gets extended as it takes more time for my wbc’s to reach a normal level. I’m learning to love afternoon naps and limit my activity those days when fatigue the worst.

Enjoy the weekend!

Red1246 profile image
Red1246

Hi Sandra!

Hoping scans went well and you’ll have good news for us soon. Enjoy the weekend with your fabulous husband!

🙏🏻K

I am no longer on Ibrance. I only was on for three months. I feel my onco dropped the ball on this once. It was the first treatment for me and I never had chemo, radiation, etc. so I did not know what to expect. She started me on Ibrance (I had mets in the lungs) and all she told was that I take it for three weeks and then a week off.

The only side effect she mentioned to me was that food may taste different. For the first two weeks, I thought oh this is not hard. Then by the third week, I had my first bout with the fatigue. I felt like I had been hit by a train. Never experienced it before so was shocked by it.

Then I could not wait for my week off. I assumed I would feel alot less tired and would have more energy. OMG. Not what I expected. It was summer in August in Brooklyn and very hot and humid outside. I always keep my central air on (electricity included in the rent:). Well my week off came and I never felt so sick in my life. First, although it was hot as heck, I was freezing. I shut off my a/c and I could feel how stuffy my apt. was. But it didn't matter. I put a wall robe on, and then three blankets and I laid in bed with the covers and my teeth were actually chattering. I felt like death.

I told her when I went back and I was upset bc I had so much to do (I had no food in the house) but I was basically unable to move from my bed and I was shivering like my blood was ice.

You think (I didnt know better than) that she would have lowered the dose or taken me off or checked more. She seemed surprised. The second month the same thing. The week off was awful. I started to feel like a drug addict. I would have the meds delivered and they would be sitting there and I felt so so sick and wanted to take them but I didn't.

It got to the point that I got scared and depressed when my week off was coming up. She never once suggested lowering it (I didn't even know that was possible..it was all new to me).

I finally developed and infection that they took me off Ibrance and put me on five weeks of antibiotics that did nothing and then I had to have surgery that took me four months to recovery from. And THEN she tells me she is not putting me back on Ibrance bc of very low white blood cell counts. Why, she didn't do this sooner bothers me and maybe that infection would not have gotten out of hand and I would not have to have through the surgery and horrible recovery period.

I just feel with what I know now, she should have taken me off sooner or adjusted the dose as I learned from this board.

Arisgram profile image
Arisgram

Well, that sucks! I'm so sorry he isn't feeling well on top of everything else. I hope it passes quickly, and you don't catch it!

I bet you were one of those children that didn't shake your Christmas presents. I on the other hand would unwrap and rewrap mine! I admire your discipline more than I can say. I wish you the best of luck in your conversation.

Andi

lashinator profile image
lashinator

The first few months of the drugs are so tough. Eventually the side effects of fatigue subside a bit. I find the week off to be the most sluggish for me. I am aware, so I try to keep my social life scheduling down that week and napping would be great if I can get to it...

You may also like...

Worst week of ibrance

Hey ladies. Just wondering what is your worst week of ibrance including the off week. Thanks....

What to discuss with your oncologist?

oncologist at the monthly meetings? On assumption side effects remain the same, you feel in good...

End of third week into week off.

and it is still a problem. I’m also working full time and don’t miss a day. I need my medical...

Memory books; letters to family for after I pass on (which I hope is a long time)!

experiences guidance and just support Wondering if anyone has done this; for me I’m not very...

Thanks everyone for your replies!

I’m still thinking. I have another appointment with my oncologist Feb 6. I’m going to talk more...