My Christmas gift

[seiler]

I knew that Ibrance is not a cure for MBC, but you can always hope. My Ibrance was effective for nearly 5 years, but no more. Earlier this past month I had a PET scan that showed changes in the cancer. It's extremely early. I've been on Xgeva for around 5 months to strengthen my bones and now I'm beginning Fasodex, too. Has anyone had Fasodex? Comments would be appreciated.

[Shelly1009]

Five years is a great run with Ibrance. I'm approaching one year and am hoping and praying to continue. Sorry to hear that you had to move on.

I started Faslodex with Ibrance at MBC diagnosis last March. The injections are a bit uncomfortable and I do have some mild pain at the sites for a day or two. Other than that I get the usual joint pain that often comes with estrogen blockers. I find that the more active I stay the more tolerable it is. If I spend the day being very sedentary when I do get up to move the pain is much worse. If I spend a 10 hour day at work on my feet I barely notice it.

Good luck!!

[pattila in reply to Shelly1009]

The monthly Faslodex injections can be painful if injected too quickly. I find that if injected very slowly, because it’s so viscous, the discomfort is reduced. Just ask the nurses to inject S-L-OW-L-Y every time.

The Injected area must then be massaged to prevent cystic-like formation. I’ve been on Faslodex for 19 cycles and have avoided bumpy injection sites because of massaging after injection. What I dislike is the unpleasant bodily fluid odor after injections that usually lasts a few days. It took me a while to put two-and-two together about the cause of body odor.

[Bettybuckets in reply to pattila]

Body Oder and or fluid... from where? I do notice my feet smell bad snd never did before..

[Zebra2018]

Hello Seiler, I am on IBRANCE in about 2 years now (December 2018) along with Faslodex and xgeva. The trick with faslodex is you have to ask the nurse to administer it very very slowly. In the beginning I had pain for couple of days but after I told them to do it slowly, I was ok. I have MBC to my neck bone and so far it is working! I am sorry that you have to move on, but I think they have more tools on their tool box now!I wish you the best

Happy new year 🎆🎈🎊

Sima

[Iwasborntodothis]

Lovely photo! Same thing, Just switched to Faslodex after minor progression. Had a tumor marker flare so hopefully that goes down at my next appointment. Followed everyones advise here about shots and they haven't been a big deal. I feel like I am on vacation after Ibrance and Letrozole side effects wore off. 🤞🙏

[Bestbird]

I am sorry to hear you are dealing with a treatment change. Below is a list of ways that Faslodex injections can be less uncomfortable. This and additional information can be found in my book, "The Insider's Guide to Metastatic Breast Cancer" which is also available as a complimentary .pdf. For information about approved treatments by subtype, cutting-edge research, side effect mitigation, and more, visit insidersguidembc.com/about

Hoping it works very well for you!

•Consider taking an over-the-counter pain relief tablet an hour or two before the injection.

•Warm the syringes under your armpits for several minutes until the vaccine reaches body temperature, which makes the shots easier to administer.

•Ask the nurse to gently massage the injection sites before the injections.

•Have the nurse put numbing spray on the area before injecting the vaccine

•Ensure that the nurse will use the “Z-track” method for the injections to prevent leakage of the serum into the subcutaneous tissue. Z-track instructions are located at: healthline.com/health/z-tra...

•Make sure the nurse will inject the vaccine slowly (1 – 2 minutes per injection)

•Ensure that there is no weight on the area being injected by standing with your weight on the opposite foot or lying down on your stomach and pointing your toes inward (most patients prefer this method).

•After the injection, apply ice packs or heat pads to the area (some patients drive home with the car seat heater turned on), drink lots of water, walk as much as possible, and avoid sitting for long periods of time.

[Hazelgreen in reply to Bestbird]

Thanks! I think this will be very helpful advice if I ever decide to have injections. I have downloaded your book for future consultation. Thanks very much for the pdf.

[Phillipians4and6]

Good morning and Happy New Year,

I’m currently on Ibrance and Faslodex. I hope I’m blessed with the 5 years and more on these drugs. I just completed one year on both and I don’t have many side effects. A headache here and there. A little fatigue. The Faslodex injection sites

Are sore for a little while after the injection and there’s achiness sometimes. I use a heating pad for a few days and that helps me a lot. I just got a heated blanket for Christmas. I will be trying that soon. Prayers everything works well for you with Faslodex.

[SeattleMom]

Hello! I was treated with a combination of Ibrance and Letrozole for 34 months before mild progression suggested a change in treatment. I began treatment with monthly Faslodex injections in September.

I can recommend to you that it appears that injections into muscle in hip area helps to prevent potential injuries to sciatic nerve if injections are done to buttocks.

GOD BLESS YOU!! 🙏🏻🙏🏻💗💗

Linda

[Morenow]

Hi, I put ice packs on my buttocks for 40 minutes before shot. It helped. Put the ice packs back on after shots for a little while. When there were enough nurses, they gave shots at same time. Hope it does not hurt to much.

[bubblystream]

I will have been on Ibrance for 5 years on February 6 2021. My scans still show my cancer to the bones is not progressing. But my tumor markers are going up. They are not doubling.....my onc is not concerned but I don't like watching them go up and up.

I have been on the letrozole also for 5 years. I think it is another name for Fasodex. I don't have any real problem with it. I think it has speeding my aging process since it shuts off what hormones a 66 year old has. But otherwise it has been fine. No one would know I have stage 4 cancer. I give thanks to Jesus.

[Bettybuckets in reply to bubblystream]

I am 60 and hope to have a similar story... I am just 6months in to my MBC story but going strong

[Teddielottie in reply to bubblystream]

Just reading this and realised you are 5 years on Ibrance this month ! Congratulations on this big milestone ! I hope you continue to do well on it ! x

[AnnaP668]

Lovely picture!

[blms]

They do not bother me at all! Go for it with confidence