Low white cell count on Ibrance

[Millie666]

Hello

I just wondered if this is fairly common as mum has to have another week off ibrance as white cell count low. Also does anyone suffer from stinging mouth sensation?

Thanks

Claire x

[USIrishcolleen]

Hello Claire,

It is common to have low white blood cell count while on Ibrance. I believe that is one of the most common side effects. I had 10 months on Ibrance and it affected my white blood cell count too, but not enough to change my dose frequency, as I was three weeks on and one week off.

I did not experience any stinging sensation in my mouth.

Best,

Colleen

[TE53_67]

Yes pretty common. I am now 3 weeks on and 2 weeks off and have been since I started.

[LibraryGeek]

Hi Millie,

This has happened to me several times during the three years I have been on Ibrance- I wouldn’t worry too much about taking an extra week off. I have not had the stinging.

Jackie

[Andibo]

Yes, it is one of the main side effects of IBRANCE. They may lower her dosage for a bit to boost those cells. Another number that is really important is the Neutrophil. Apparently that one is the one that shows the "army of cells to fight off infection."

[LaliChicago]

I’ve not experienced any stinging sensation in my mouth.

[caw517]

It is not uncommon to take an extra week off during Ibrance. However, often the oncologist will lower the dosage from 125 to 100 or even to 75 if wbc is too low. Talk to her about what dose she is on. I was terribly low on 125 but on 100 have only had to take an extra week off a few times. I have been on varying Ibrance combos for nearly 5 years. Hoping your mom figures this out and does well.

[Gratitude85]

Salutations!

I have been on Ibrance for 17 cycles and have experienced both low neutrophils and a stinging mouth. I have experienced a lot of mouth issues (ulcers, receding and bleeding gums and stinging and sensitivity). The mouth issues tend to rear their heads on the last week of taking Ibrance and through to the week off Ibrance. Certain foods increase the stinging or sensitivity of my mouth like kombucha for instance so I avoid these and brush and floss more frequently during the more challenging times. I also have taken to taping my mouth shut at night as I am a mouth breather. Mouth breathing has exacerbated my mouth problems so this practice has helped reduced them. Good luck 🌸

[Ppppopp]

Hey! I have been on Ibrance for 2.5 years now. The first 6 months my WBC were down all the time.

It would steer me out that I would not be getting Ibrance.

My nurse reminded me that the main part of my treatment was the letrozole and the Ibrance was a booster.

My oncologist now knows that they will be low and gives it to be.

Xx

[ANNIE6449]

I have had mouth discomfort on and off since beginning Ibrance 3 months ago. The type of food I eat makes no difference. Whenever my mouth feels uncomfortable I rinse with a peroxide based sore mouth cleanser (CVS has a good one) and it usually takes care of the problem.

[Morenow]

Hello, I had low white blood cell count. I was also a zombie on ibrance and letrozole. It worked for a while. Then I went Fulvestrant for a few months.

[Sarciejane]

I always had a three week break each month as my neutrophils would be so low.

[howsthis]

i've had low wbc, onc had me skip a week of ibrance to build it back up. I've done this a couple of times and my mbc remains stable so far. I also have mouth pain, sometimes actual mouth sores develop. My onc prescribed Mary Magic Potion, a rinse that helps me tremendously.