Change of medication? HELP!

[Rotagirl]

Palbo/ ibrance causing lung issues, (also lung changes seen on CT) I am in the UK and wonder what chemo might be offered. I cannot have more targeted therapy apparently. I see the onc on Monday. Thanks in advance. Fay

[Hazelgreen]

From posts on this site, I understand that the lung issues can be very serious with ibrance. I know I've read posts from at least one woman who ended up with permanent lung damage. Would it be worth trying letrozole by itself rather than starting chemo?

Good luck with whatever you decide to do.

Hugs,

Cindy

[stardust1965]

Hi Fay,

I am so sorry you are having these serious side effects. It can be scary changing treatments but he next one may be the one that works well for you.

I’m also treated on the NHS. I’m not absolutely sure what is and isn’t classed as targeted therapy but I have been offered the standard NHS treatment for my MBC. This was firstly Letrozole & Ibrance, then Everolimus and Exemestane and I am now on Fulvestrant injections. I’ve been told my next line of treatment would be chemotherapy tablets of Capecitabine (not IV chemo). Perhaps that is what has been suggested for you? Try not to worry (easier said than done, I know). You are in safe hands and there are still good options.

Vicki

[Bettybuckets in reply to stardust1965]

Excellent advice… I will try to take it as I wait to hear what therapy is next me me. Markers are up my next lymph node starting to bulge. Dr had mentioned maybe capecitibine… but then my genetic mutation results came back and I guess I will hear about other targets… maybe experimental? I’m surprisingly calm… knowing I’m in good hands!

[Teddielottie]

I am sorry you are having lung issues and need to come off Ibrance ...have they said if the lung issues are due to a side effect of the current meds (ILD ) or due to new/ growth in mets in the lungs ? If chemo has been mentioned, it may be the oral tablet form of Xeloda /‘Cape’ , if you look this up in the search bar , many ladies on here have been on this oral chemo , and in the U.K. too . Sending love x

[Jessie55]

Are you sure it isn’t scarring? I’ve heard it can be painful. Only relevant if you had lung mets though and they are shrinking

[Half-Full]

I don’t believe all targeted therapies should be ruled out for you, just those that have a high risk of ILD/pneumonitis (i.e.: CDK4/6 inhibitors and mTor inhibitors). If your BRCA positive you might be a candidate for a PARP inhibitor prior to oral chemo. My wife had severe pneumonitis from iBrance but was BRCA positive so she was then out on Talzenna. She did well on it for 13 months and just seems to be showing progression now so it looks like Xeloda will be next. Best of luck to you, I know these are tough decisions.

[mariootsi]

Good luck on Monday Fay!