Ibrance

[Sejj]

How long can you be off Ibrance for surgery

[8576]

I had breast surgery this year on Jan. 3. I had just started Ibrance in November. It was stopped for December and I didn't go back on until end of February. I stayed on the Faslodex once a month though. Surgery went well and scans were good. Hope that helps.

Cheers, June

[Sejj in reply to 8576]

Thank you. It offers me some reassurance. I hope you continue to do well.

[8576 in reply to 8576]

I need to add some information. I am now on the lowest possible dose of Ibrance, 2 wks. on one off because of my immune system.

My oncologist called today and she is concerned that the nodules in my lung are multiplying. I didn't pay any attention to this as they hadn't progressed much and nodules can develop for other reasons than cancer. She feels they are cancer but I don't have a lot of confidence in this oncologist. I will probably go for a second opinion again .

[Sejj in reply to 8576]

I am so sorry to hear this. Do you believe this is a result of coming off Ibrance? My metastasis was to the lung and many internal lymph nodes. Ibrance made the lung metastasis shrink and same for lymph nodes.

I sincerely hope you are able to find oncologist you have more faith in.

[8576 in reply to Sejj]

No, I am not off Ibrance. One week off is part of the schedule in taking it. It may be because of the low dose I am on. My oncologist often gets my schedule mixed up. In fact the imaging report said slightly increased. In my mind, not a reason to change medications. I hope I can get a second opinion quickly. I have a super oncologist , one hour drive away.

Cheers, June S.

[Kdiet in reply to 8576]

I keep a “Medical Update” sheet that has all my key information: dates, doses, scans, etc. I update it before and after every MD visit. I am surprised the number of times that I have the information faster than my MD can find it in their chart. Also, after two plus years, I cannot remember everything. This is really worth doing. Also, my MD is adamant that the lower doses of Ibrance are not very effective. Keeps me on 125mg.

[bankusboysmom in reply to Kdiet]

Thanks for the idea of a Medical Update. I need to put one together. FYI, my oncologist changed me from 125 to 100 almost immediately after I started Ibrance and I’ve been doing great on it for almost 6 years. I would challenge your oncologist on this one, I don’t think she/he is very update.

[Kdiet in reply to bankusboysmom]

Will do. Thanks.

[8576 in reply to Sejj]

Can you tell me what dosage/schedule and for how long when the shrinkage occurred?

Were you on Ibrance when the lung disease started in the lungs?

Mine developed earlier before Ibrance and were very small. Over the 10 months off and on Ibrance for different reasons, mine have progressed since the last scan two months ago, from 0.9x0.6, to 1,3x0.8. plus some smaller ones.

I know our state of disease may be as different as we are as individuals. Kind of a mixed up statement but I hope you understand me.

[USIrishcolleen in reply to 8576]

8576,

Change oncologists, for sure, if you do not have confidence in them. I LOVE my oncologist, and I do not usually see male doctors.

Also, they saw nodules on my lung and did a lung biopsy. It didn’t not hurt at all, and was way less uncomfortable than a breast biopsy. My lung biopsy pathology came back benign. Yes. One can have nodules for other reasons. They thought that mine came from a pneumonia that I had, and from being on a trache because of respiratory failure from Guillan-Barre’ Syndrome that I contracted in 10/2018.

Best,

Colleen

[Kdiet in reply to USIrishcolleen]

I have sarcoid and so I also have nodes around my lungs. The scans catch everything, benign and all.

[8576 in reply to USIrishcolleen]

Thanks Colleen: I would love to change my oncologist but there are none available. I could switch to the oncologist I go to for a second opinion but it is a good hour drive from me.

So meantime I hope my current one will get better over time. Appreciate your reply.

Cheers, June S.

[USIrishcolleen in reply to 8576]

8576,

I see. This is one good thing about living in crowded Silican Valley, we are fortunate to have Stanford and USF close by.

Best,

Colleen

[viennagirl in reply to 8576]

Yes, go for a second opinion. It will put your mind at rest. And try to build up your immune system. I believe you can find lots of information on line for building the immune system. Hugs Marlene

[mariootsi in reply to 8576]

You need to have faith in your onc! A second opinion would be helpful.

[USIrishcolleen]

Seij,

I am scheduled for a lumpectomy and sentinel biopsy, and possible axillary dissection, on 12/4. My oncologist asked me to stop my Ibrance after this cycle which ends on 11/4. He said the surgeon will want to see my wbc’s higher for surgery.

Best,

Colleen

[Teddielottie in reply to USIrishcolleen]

My surgeon wanted my neutrophyls to be above 2 when I had a breast reduction while on Ibrance treatment in November 2018 . Luckily at that time they were above 2 at the end of my week off Ibrance and my day surgery was carried out then . I was given antibiotics after my op and also had a few days injections (at home) to boost my wbc after . But I only needed an extra week off Ibrance on top of my usual week . I think it all depends on the operation , age , general health , bloods and diagnosis (I was stable / bone mets ) . Wish you well next month . x

[Hidden]

I was off Ibrance for 8 weeks when I had my hip replaced. For others it might not be as long but Ibrance always caused my neutrophils to drop. .

[Teddielottie]

Welcome on here and I hope you get some answers to give you a general idea, however I would speak with your onc and surgeon as it will vary for each patient , depending on what the surgery is , your diagnosis and where you are in your treatment , general health and bloods . I wish you well x

[AvidBooklover]

For my partial thyroidectomy on 11/30 they just want me off the week before and the week after. I hope that is enough, but I have asked three times now. I see the surgeon and do pre-surgical testing on the 18th and will review with him, too. Fasolodex is planned around the surgery; the doctor laughed as I ran her the calendar in my head.

[mariootsi in reply to AvidBooklover]

I wish you the best with your surgery. Will be thinking of you on the 30th.

[USIrishcolleen]

AvidBooklover,

I will be thinking about you, and wishing you well on 11/30!

Best!

Colleen

[AvidBooklover in reply to USIrishcolleen]

Thank you so much....it is so appreciated!