I’m new here

[Building-strength]

Starting Ibrance

Is anyone taking Ibrance with an Anastrozole

[Maludagui]

Hi 🙋‍♀️ Nice to meet you and that you can take advantage of this wonderful support group. Here we can share our experiences, here we all support each other and try to share little tips that help us have a good quality of life. Tell us a little about yourself and your diagnosis. I am 57 years old and diagnosed with breast cancer in 2010, recurrence in 2018 with metastases in my bones. I am currently on Ibrance / letrozole for 33 months. We are warriors 🌺

[Building-strength in reply to Maludagui]

Hello there thanks for replying. I’m 54 was diagnosed with breast cancer in August 2017. Had surgery to remove the cancer with no other treatment. I was recently diagnosed with mets to the liver in August 2020. I received xeloda for 6months which worked well for the tumors but the side effects weren’t so pleasant. I’m currently taking anastrozole and zoladex injections. Tried kisqali for three weeks and the results were disappointing. I had to stop taking it. Soon to start Ibrance. Not sure what to expect extremely leary. I hear a lot about Ibrance with fulvestrant but not with anastrozole.

[Maludagui in reply to Building-strength]

my only experience is ibrance / letrozole. This combo has worked for me. Of course I have suffered many side effects in this time. but I always try to find a solution and comment on it in this group and have faith to cope with it. These medicines are really strong but they give us life. Take your medicine with Faith of Healing. and it will work 🌺

[USIrishcolleen in reply to Maludagui]

Maludagui,

This is how I feel about what I am prescribed. I realize that oncologists are NOT Gods, but they do know more than I do.

Best,

Colleen

[USIrishcolleen in reply to Building-strength]

Building-strength,

Are you in the US, or? To have cancer removed, and not have either radiation or chemotherapy, sounds odd to me. Just wondering. Obviously, I am not a doctor. Just thinking out loud.

I am SO worried about the cancer returning....

Sincerely,

Colleen

[Buffwright in reply to USIrishcolleen]

I had a mastectomy in 2006. My only followup was arimidex for 5 years.

[USIrishcolleen in reply to Buffwright]

Buffwright,

Are you in the U.S.? I had a lumpectomy in 12/2020, and have been on Arimidex since 1/2020. After radiation I was put in Verzenio and was told to continue the Arimidex as well. I see my medical oncologist this Wed. I am going to ask about future scans. I want to have them sooner than later.

Best,

Colleen

[Buffwright in reply to USIrishcolleen]

I am in Southern California . After my lumpectomy in 1994 (stage 2b) I had chemo and radiation and tamoxifen for 5 years. Then mastectomy in 2005 (not 06) with nothing but Arimidex for 5 years. Then recurrence with MBC in 2016. I can deal with cancer every 11 years!

Now with MBC I have scans about every 3-6 months. I must be about due for one.

[Building-strength in reply to Buffwright]

Wow so went from 2005 until 2016 with no mbc?

[Building-strength in reply to USIrishcolleen]

Tomoxifin was offered but I was uncomfortable taking it knowing it had carcinogens in it.

[Buffwright in reply to Building-strength]

I took Ibrance and Letrozole for 3 1/2 years. It worked very well until it didn’t. My side effects weren’t awful…thinning hair, fatigue, low blood counts and such. But during that time I travelled a lot—India, Brazil, and 6 weeks across Europe — and the distraction was great! I hope it works well for you! I’m now on Piqray and Fulvestrant. There are lots of things in the pipeline.

[Building-strength]

I appreciate your feedback. I’m putting my faith in God that he’ll guide me through this process.

[mariootsi in reply to Building-strength]

Amen

[Building-strength in reply to mariootsi]

Amen Amen Hope your managing well

[USIrishcolleen]

Hello Building-strength,

I was diagnosed in Nov. 2018. I took Ibrance and anastrozole for 10 months and it shrank my 5cm tumor in half and the one lymph node they found “suspicious,” it shrank to virtually not being there. I had very good results with the combo. I had ZERO symptoms from the pair.

Give it a try. We have to hope that these doctors, tgat have gone to school to study cancer, have our best interest at heart.

Best to you, and don’t hesitate to check in. I find it very comforting to hear from my fellow warriors.

Sincerely,

Colleen

[Building-strength in reply to USIrishcolleen]

I greatly appreciate your feedback Colleen. It’s wonderful to hear real people’s stories with positive or negative feedback about the meds and the symptoms they have if any. You are truly blessed not to have had any. This is such a wonderful site and just to think I stumbled upon it by accident I’m so grateful. Be Blessed

[USIrishcolleen in reply to Building-strength]

HELLO Building-strength,

I LOVE you forum name! We ALL are trying to build strength! Stay strong everyone.

Got to the Monterey Bay this past week with my niece. We stayed for two nights and took the scenic 17 Mile Drive. We went to the same place her grandparents (my parents) took her. We had a GREAT time! Pic is of the world renowned Lone Cypress, and Monterey Bay coast.

World renowned Lone Cypress Tree, in Pacific Grove, CA, off the coast of Pebble Beach.

[Building-strength in reply to USIrishcolleen]

My forum name is truly what I’m doing thanks!

[Building-strength in reply to USIrishcolleen]

Are you currently on any treatment?

If so is it to keep the cancer at bay?

[USIrishcolleen in reply to Building-strength]

Building-strength,

Not sure if I already answered this or not. My Med Onc has me on 150 mg, twice a day, of Verzenio, and the continued dose of 1 mg of anastrozole.(Arimidex.) It is absolutely to keep the cancer “at bay.” Because one lymph node was cancerous, my oncologist is trying to prevent any spread to my organs.

I hope this helps. We are ALL here, and in the same boat. Reach out.... anytime!

Sincerely,

Colleen

[Building-strength in reply to USIrishcolleen]

Oh I see. Are you getting regular blood work? I’m so cautious with the meds. The side effects alone makes me anxious.

I just started Ibrance to days ago and worried about my wbc. Hope for your continued well being

[1711JPD]

Hi. I am 68. I had BC in 2016 and liver mets were found in January 2021. I was taking Anastrozole. I started Ibrance and Faslodex infusions in February. I stopped the Anastrozole.

So far I am responding well according to the scan and MRI results. I have more scans including first PET scan in midJuly.

This is very frightening, but I seem to be adjusting.

Best wishes to all!

[Building-strength in reply to 1711JPD]

It’s extremely frightening. The more I research the meds the more worried I get

this is why I appreciate this group because you can talk to people who’ve been on the same meds and are doing well. It gives you hope. Be well.

[caw517]

Hi! I 'm 66 and was first diagnosed in 1996 !! My cancer metastasized in 2016 and I was put on Ibrance and exemestane. I had already been on Arimidex (anastrazole) for 5 years prior so my onc didn't want to use that. Ibrance can be combined with several drugs as an MBC treatment. If one doesn't work they can try it with another. I have been on Ibrance for over 5 years now-- first as I stated-- then after 3 1/2 years there was progression so Letrozole was tried-- only tried for 3 months and then there was progression... and now I have been on Faslodex and Ibrance for almost1 1/2 years. Ibrance can give you blood count issues and fatigue-- but even with that it works for many -- Hoping it works for you as it has for me !! Blessings and welcome to a great support network.

[Pbsoup in reply to caw517]

Not to hijack this thread but it is interesting that your doctor kept switching out the estrogen medications not the Ibrance even after progression--and it worked! How did that decision get made versus stopping Ibrance and moving on to something like Xeloda--which is what seems to happen with most people unless I am missing something. How did your doctor know it was the Estrogen meds not the Ibrance that had failed?

[caw517 in reply to Pbsoup]

Basically my onc was not sure which failed but thought since I had done well with the 5 years of anastrozole after my first recurrence that I must respond well to the estrogen lowering therapy. When we switched to letrozole- he did a scan within 3 months-- and the progression had continued.. hence the next combo. Once on Faslodex combo, the next scan was much improved. Now that I am on that third drug combo with Ibrance, he does say that we would switch to Verzenio or Kisqali in the future . but for now, I am doing well on Ibrance combo. Last PET scan showed no progression and various areas(bone) were actually "less active". So far Ibrance has done well for me. Hope this helps.

[USIrishcolleen in reply to Pbsoup]

Pbsoup,

Yes.... my estrogen, or anti-estrogen med, has stayed the same since I first began hormone therapy in 1/2020.

Colleen

[Building-strength in reply to caw517]

I must say I’ve been dealing so much these last 8months with deaths,Covid and my illness and after signing on here last night listening to real people’s stories I feel that there’s hope for me. Thank you!

[oilermama]

Hi! Welcome to the group... I was diagnosed in December 2017 and stage 4 was discovered in July 2018. I have been on anastrazole since May 2018 and Ibrance since July 2018... I take the Ibrance in the morning and the anastrazole in the evening. My advice is to be sure and hydrate well with both. I deal with daily fatigue, but I know what causes it - the meds combination... So far the combination has kept the metatases to the bones inactive, so best of luck as you try it.

[Building-strength in reply to oilermama]

Hello Oilermoma,

I have trouble sleeping already and haven’t started the Ibrance. Do you think taking them at night would be beneficial so you could be more active during the day?

[TLLS in reply to Building-strength]

Hi I've been on Ibrance since March 2022 I was advised to take it in the evening as its supposed to make you drowsy... It did for the first week then since then I've not been drowsy and if anything find it harder to sleep. I also take Anastrozole at the same time as ibrance (in the evening after I've had dinner) and I'm still able to do daily tasks-granted not as much pre cancer.

Sending hugs

Andrea x

[Building-strength in reply to TLLS]

That was good to know as I’ve had trouble sleeping already and will be starting Ibrance on Monday. I also take Anastrozole and switched to taking it in the evening because it makes me sleepy but no difference sleep pattern at night.

[Eyebelieve]

Welcome to our group. I have recently joined the group and have already found peace here along with encouragement. I was diagnosed with MBC 13 years after my 1st early stage diagnosis. I have been on Ibrance and exemestane for 20 cycles and scans have been "stable and unremarkable". Side effects are tolerable. The first cycle was the most challenging and my body did get accustomed to the drugs, as my oncologist said, All worth it to have these positive results and a good quality of life. Look forward to hearing from you.

[Building-strength in reply to Eyebelieve]

There is a lot of inspiration and support in this group. Keep pushing on.

[Merma]

Hi there!Welcome and glad you asked. I’m on Ibrance and anastrozole for 3 and a half years for recurrent endometrial cancer. I adjusted to the anemia by being aware of how I spend my energy. I am able to work as a teacher, walk or swim.

I go in to see the dr, get the port flushed, and get blood tests monthly. I had to get my dose lowered six months ago because my blood levels weren’t bouncing back like they did before. That worked.

There are other side effects, but it seems to be different for everyone and they seem to change.

All in all, it seems to be working. I’m glad to see NED on my PET/CT scans.

Corby

[Building-strength in reply to Merma]

Hi Corby,

Thanks for responding. It’s been one week on Ibrance and so far I’ve just been more tired than usual. I’ve always been one to push myself till everything’s done for the day but now it’s hard I have to relax. After stopping kisqali because it elevated my liver enzymes I worry that every symptom I get is part of the meds and that it’ll get worse. My husband died in August 2020 and I found out my cancer came back the week after his funeral. I watched how bad he suffered and I can’t bare the thought of it happening to me. I didn’t think I would or could make it this far but by the grace of God I’m still here. I struggle daily but I also have good days. If the Anastrozole and Ibrance worked for three years for you I can say there’s still hope.