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Ibrance and Low WBC

AutumnLove profile image
42 Replies

Low WBC so would 2weeks on and 2 off on Ibrance be a good idea instead of 3 and 1? WBC was .08 on Ibrance 125. Also mentioned lowering Ibrance to 100.Any advice is greatly appreciated! Ty😊❤

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AutumnLove
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42 Replies
NPmary profile image
NPmary

I take the lowest dose 75 mgzand it's kept me progression free.

AutumnLove profile image
AutumnLove in reply toNPmary

Thank you!😊❤

Onie54 profile image
Onie54

Hi

I started 5 years ago on 125mg, 3 weeks on 1 week off. That didn’t last long, went to 100 mg. Stayed that way for a while but then had to change to 3 weeks on and 2 weeks off. All related to low neutrophils.

Fast forward to approximately 2 years ago, I was having other issues and my new oncologist suggested I change to 2 weeks on and 2 weeks off. Been that way since then.

My oncologist says that the workhorse is the letrozole and the Ibrance enhances the effect so if this works (which it has, I’ve had stable scans), then it’s good. We have not discussed dropping to 75mg, she would rather I stay at 100mg with the 2 weeks on/off schedule.

Hope that helps.

Susie

13plus profile image
13plus in reply toOnie54

That's an amazing run! I had about 3 years before I had to switch

AutumnLove profile image
AutumnLove in reply toOnie54

Thanks so much!😊❤

AutumnLove profile image
AutumnLove in reply toOnie54

Great information. Ty😊❤

Beryl71 profile image
Beryl71

After two years I'm still on 125mg. I've had a couple of times when neutrophils were low so had an extra week off. But they seem to come back up and range between 1.3 and 1.7, which my GP says isn't great but it's enough for the oncologist. They won't proceed with ibrance if it's below 1. I'd prefer to have the higher dose and most frequent medication if I can and just take an extra week when there's a problem. I don't want those c cells to get the upper hand! X

Casual profile image
Casual in reply toBeryl71

Mine are always low in the 800’s, but I’m asymptomatic. I’m on the lowest dose at 75mg Ibrance and my orders basically say proceed if greater than 800. 3 weeks on, one off. I’ve been this way for about 3 years.

Beryl71 profile image
Beryl71 in reply toCasual

I imagine different places or consultants have different rules. Good luck. X

AutumnLove profile image
AutumnLove in reply toBeryl71

Yes! Ty😊❤

Praising profile image
Praising in reply toBeryl71

I get started if mine are 90. That bothers me as they are always that low. I’m on a Ibrance break to help them come up. Interesting you won’t start till over 1. Thanks

Beryl71 profile image
Beryl71 in reply toPraising

That just seems to be the rules with our system. X

wendle3007 profile image
wendle3007

I started on 125mg and had low neutrophils for 2 months running so the dose was dropped to 100mg and I've had no problems since. One of the junior doctors mentioned my low WBC but when I asked the chemo nurses, they said they are more concerned if they are too high. My WBC was below 3 on this week's test but they gave me the next course of pills so I guess they still think it's ok - as long as my neuts are 1 or above.

AutumnLove profile image
AutumnLove in reply towendle3007

Ty!😊❤

Mumberly profile image
Mumberly

I’m on kisqali and letrozole and I have the same issue with my WBC. I started with the 600mg dose and was lowered to 400mg

When I was tracking my bloodwork results, I noticed that my WBC had been stable or slightly increased after 2 weeks in and then when I had bloodwork again 2 weeks later they had increased. So we’re going to try 2 & 2 when I start my next cycle.

As in Susie’s reply, my oncologist also said the letrozole is a powerful drug in its own right - I like the term ‘workhorse’ - and not to worry too much about the juggling we’re going through with kisqali at this time.

I wish you the best while you work out the best solution for you 🙂

Kim

AutumnLove profile image
AutumnLove in reply toMumberly

Ty your comment is greatly appreciated!😊❤

Mumberly profile image
Mumberly in reply toAutumnLove

I just realized I said my WBC had been stable or increased after 2 weeks (which is accurate) but then I said they had increased after the following 2 weeks. I should have said, they dropped at that point. Which is why we’re going to try 2 on and then 2 off.

mariootsi profile image
mariootsi

I'm on 3 weeks on 2 weeks off. Seems to work for wbc and platelets. Talk to your onc.

AutumnLove profile image
AutumnLove in reply tomariootsi

Ty😊❤

Dragonfly2 profile image
Dragonfly2

Hello! It seems there are many options open to you: the schedule you maintain with fixing and the different levels of the dosage . Just remember that this is not a race but rather a marathon. You want longevity balanced with an acceptable quality of life. Try the new schedule and see how you feel because the Ibrance can affect do much more than WBC, and every body reacts differently. Keeps us updated on what you decide and ultimately how you are feeling with the change. 🥰

AutumnLove profile image
AutumnLove in reply toDragonfly2

Great advice, ty!😊❤

Totheriver profile image
Totheriver

I started on 125 3 weeks on and one off. My body could not handle that at all. Ended up in hospital for 10 days. Tried a few different ways but the last two years have been on 75 2 weeks on and 2 weeks of. Seems to be working. I do have side effects.

AutumnLove profile image
AutumnLove in reply toTotheriver

Thanks for your input!😊❤

Nocillo profile image
Nocillo

I started with 125 mg three weeks on one week off. My neutrophils were too low so switched to 100 mg three weeks on two weeks off. It’s been fine now for almost a year.

AutumnLove profile image
AutumnLove in reply toNocillo

Ok thats great to hear! Ty 😊❤

AvidBooklover profile image
AvidBooklover

I started on 125 and had terrible mouth sores. Lowered to 100 and they are less bad and only creep in at the end of a cycle. Neutrophils never been an issue!

AutumnLove profile image
AutumnLove in reply toAvidBooklover

Ty😊❤

I take 100 mg and instead of 7 days off I do 10 so my wbc’s can normalize a bit.

AutumnLove profile image
AutumnLove in reply to

Ty❤😊

atoth17 profile image
atoth17

I alternate each day 75mg and the 100mg the next. I keep track of it on a calendar so it’s a little bit of work but it seems to be working at keeping my counts up. (they are still not normal but we don’t ever need to hold treatment).

AutumnLove profile image
AutumnLove in reply toatoth17

Awesome! Ty❤😊

sancarlos profile image
sancarlos

For the past two years I’ve been doing three weeks on , two weeks off. My WBC has been much better.

AutumnLove profile image
AutumnLove in reply tosancarlos

Ty😊❤

Shar313 profile image
Shar313

I started on 125mg 3 weeks on and 1 week off but my neutrophils were below 1 so I’d extend my weeks off to 2 or 3 to allow them to rise. I then lowered my dosage to the 100 mgs with no increase in neutrophils. For the past two years I’ve been on 75 mg 2 weeks on and 2 weeks off and my neutrophils are consistently above 1. Keep trying different methods to see what works with your body. ❤️Shar

AutumnLove profile image
AutumnLove in reply toShar313

Ty❤😊

Praising profile image
Praising in reply toShar313

I’m on 75 and mine are always below 1 but they start me anyway. I’m going to suggest 2 weeks off. Thanks

AutumnLove profile image
AutumnLove in reply toPraising

Ty! Greatly appreciated!😊❤

Fiercefighter13 profile image
Fiercefighter13

Hi AutumnLove! I as on Ibrance 125 on my first round, almost 3 years ago now. It lowered by Neutrophils so low, I ended up with an infection that put me in the hospital for a week. My doctor lowered my dose to 100 mg., and I have done well on that ever since. My Neutrophil count is usually between 1 and 1.3 on day 4 of my week off of Ibrance (which is the week I see my doctor every 28 days). My doctor is happy with where things are for me at this dose. I hope this helps give you a bit more information!! Take care!

AutumnLove profile image
AutumnLove in reply toFiercefighter13

Ty😊❤

8576 profile image
8576

Don't be in a hurry to switch. I always felt we did that to quickly. You might have trouble convincing your oncologist. Anyway, I am on Verzenio for 3 rounds now with positive results.

Cheers, June S.

hopehope67 profile image
hopehope67

I am on 125, three weeks on, one week + 3-4 days off. Very fatigued at the end of cycle. Is it possible to increase the level of WBC with a diet rich in protein? Do any of you have such an experience? Thanks

hurricaneheather profile image
hurricaneheather

seven years on the first line of treatment (changed to): Ibrance, Letrozole (Anastrozole), and Lupron (Zoladex). the Ibrance dosage was changed to the lowest dose within the first year of treatment. started with the 3-1 cycle, then 2-2 cycle, and am on a different cycle that works for this mind-body. stable and NEAD since March 2016.

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