Tired

[Faire]

Does the symptoms get better the longer your on lbrance ?

[Zebra2018]

Hi faire, yes at least mine did! I am taking it for almost two years, only thing is bothering me now is very dry skin.Wish you the best of luck

Sima

[Faire in reply to Zebra2018]

Thank you that gives me hope

[Teddielottie]

Hello Faire ! I have been on Ibrance /Letrozole for over three years and have tolerated the side effects . I did find in my first months of taking Ibrance that I was often tired and suffered mouth ulcers and hair thinning . But as time went by these seemed to be less noticeable and more tolerable , and the ladies on here have lots of great advice on how they cope/d with any side effects . I wish you well on this protocol . Take care! x

[Faire in reply to Teddielottie]

When do you take it?

[Teddielottie in reply to Faire]

I have mine after my evening main meal, at 7 pm , with lots of water ! ( really important to drink lots all day ! ) . As long as you take it at the same time each day , it’s what works best for you and fits in with your lifestyle. In the U.K. we have just been issued with the tablets ( previously capsules ) and these say you can take without food , but I am keeping with my same routine ... I previously read that Ibrance absorbed better with a protein and fat meal , so sticking with this ! x

[Hidden]

How long have you been taking Ibrance please?

I ask because I started at 125 mg. After several months of increasing fatigue, my oncologist and I had a good conversation. She lowered the dosage to 100 mg. That helped a lot.

The change occurred in early 2019.

Several women on this board have had similar experiences.

Please, do not hesitate to discuss this with your doctor. I think we are so trained to expect that cancer treatment will be a horror show that we do not realize there are other ways to manage it.

My doctor knows I’m normally active. When I used the phrase “crushing fatigue” & asked about a lower dosage, she carefully considered it and agreed.

Good luck. I hope this helps.

[Faire in reply to Hidden]

I just started 3 weeks ago, thank you sounds like things might get better

[13plus in reply to Faire]

They will. I’m also very active. Started at high dose and had to keep dropping dosage to 75 mg because my counts were too low ( and I still need to take nearly 2 weeks off between).Got much better after the first few months. Consistent daily movement (a walk is fine!) really will help a lot with overall energy. It doesn’t have to be a hard effort, whatever feels like an appropriate challenge when you’re ok, and a gentle effort when tired, but even a little bit helps.

And yes, LOTS of water is key!

[Ardie1970]

I am new here too. I was dx de nevo January 14. I have been through 1 cycle of Ibrance and have been on Letrozole for about 2 weeks longer. I get tired at times and try to take a short rest. That usually helps. Sometimes I change whatever I am doing at the moment and that helps too. Sorry you find yourself here, but, everyone on here is incredibly supportive.

[Sunnydrinking]

Hi I was on Ibrance & letrozole for nearly two years. I did get very tired at first but I found the tiredness did ease after a few months or did I just slow down a little.....

Wishing you all the best.

Jo xx

[Kdiet]

It has gotten better. I have been on 125mg for six months following a change in doctors my first doctor had me on 75mg but my new doctor says only 125mg is truly proven effective. I have now been on Ibrance for 16 months total. He is also a hot shot hematologist. He is very confident but nice. I let him call the shots. He also believes that the hormonal treatments take time to work. When my wbc are low, usually on Day 28, he gives me a Neupogen shot. I am only off about the prescribed 7 days between months.

Side effects DO get better. My “tricks”: plenty of water, protein at every meal including one cup of bone broth/day. It is odd but mixing up activities works for me too. Sometimes I don’t feel great and lie down but usually find some form of activity, although not big exercise, makes me feel better. I am 63 but do think my aches and pains are more akin to a 75 year old.

At the end of the day, I guess I believe what I have read quite often - that the side effects are a sign of efficacy - a good sign, so I hang in there. And, it sure beats IV Chemi which I have had plenty of.

It will get better. Try good nutrition and some good distractions. Xx

[Lilykristymichael]

Hello Faire:

I have been on Ibrance and Arimidex for 2 years. After a year my fatigue was bad. So my doctor reduced down to 100 mgs and then 75. I have stayed on 75 but I am still tired. But I am 8o, so I think that is to be expected. The lower dose leaves me feeling better than the 125. I am just thankful I do not have to be on Iv chemo. My best to you.-Madlyn

[Beryl71]

I have been on ibrance 125mg and letrozole since last April. The only noticeable side effect was mouth ulcers and sometimes a bit of bleeding in my nose. But that seems to have subsided. My CA 15-3 is down to 94 having started at well over 400. I haven't noticed fatigue, but was feeling pretty ropey when I was diagnosed, so I feel much better. But I'm sleeping better whereas previously I didn't! For me that's a good thing. Take care and hope all goes well.

[Gmaoftriplets]

Yes the side effects do get better. I was on 125mg for 2 years and am now on 100 mg for the last 2 years. Still have some fatigue and hair thinning. The letrozole causes me the worst side effects of joint pain. Take care

[Triplelovex3]

hi .it may be tmi but i need to ask if anyone experience vaginal atrophy with extreme dryness

seeing a gyno for work up had a pap smear but it was extremely painful

i have pressure very low abdomen too

i am nervous [it may be my cancer spreading

did anyone ever experience the above side effect being on ibrance and Flavodex

[Cowgirl1951 in reply to Triplelovex3]

I am 69. I started with vaginal dryness maybe five years ago. When intimate I have use a very small amount of coconut oil on my partner for a lubricant. Experiment with the amount that is comfortable for you. Hope this helps.

[hurricaneheather]

it's individual. the body has been receiving Ibrance since August 2015; 14 days on, 14 days off. for me, each cycle is different, pending how the body's biome and enerGy is at the onset of each cycle.

[Tolife_18]

It could be just a coincidence, but switching from taking it in the am to taking it at night made a real difference for me. Wishing you the best.

[Andibo]

Hi Faire. I too am newish to this site. It is a wonderful group of women and it gives me so much hope. I have been on Ibrance/Letrozole/Xgeva for a year now. Initially, the fatigue was significant. I had to lay down every afternoon. Now, I feel pretty good. No naps. Take some B12 to help. Be kind to yourself. Listen to your body and it should adjust.

[Faire in reply to Andibo]

Has anyone taken b12 shots & do they help?

[Faire]

Has anyone taken b12 shots &I do they help?

[DeedaSalmon]

I am half way through cycle 7 of ibrance 125 which I takealong with Faslodex and Denosomaub (on these 2 for 4 years. Recently traded Letrozole for ibrance as CA 153 was rising). I am finding that I have almost constant diarrhea. This week I am feeling exhausted, really fatigued. I am worried that the diarrhea is not allowing the nutrients from my food to be absorbed. Had an appointment with my Naturopath a couple of days ago, so on his advice have started on immodium. Also some other suggestions. I hope it works soon as I really hate feeling this way. 🤞🤞🤞