Denusimab

[MarsiJay]

Does anyone have experience of injections of the above combined with letrozole please and how did you cope with them?

[wendle3007]

I started Denosumab in April 2021 when I had my chemo. Had no side effects. I started Letrozole (along with palbociclib) in October 2021. I get lots of aches and stiffness in joints from the Letrozole.

[MarsiJay in reply to wendle3007]

Many thanks Wendie. I am relieved as I have already been taking letrozole and living with it. I thought I might have additional problems to contend with

[Fiercefighter13]

I’ve been on both for almost three years with Ibrance. I never noticed any side effects. Two months ago my doctor switched Ibrance out for Verzenio, still no side effects. I hope you do well and have a long run on your protocol! Best wishes!

[MarsiJay in reply to Fiercefighter13]

That is so very reassuring. Many thanks and good wishes

[TammyCross]

We are so individual! Denosumab is Xgeva. I got bad eczema from it, and then I got osteonecrosis of the jaw, a supposedly rare adverse effect that some of us on this board have suffered and have given graphic descriptions. But then, I had trouble with Letrozole -- the aching hips, and other effects -- so switched to Anastrazole, no side effects. FierceFighter says above that she has no side effects with Verzenio. I did and had to stop and will be going on a reduced dose. I had no trouble with Ibrance, except for hair thinning. Others do -- so you just have to see if you are in the majority that does well with Xgeva.

[MarsiJay in reply to TammyCross]

I am so sorry to hear that you have suffered such bad side effects. I hope you are doing all right now. Thanks for the reply.

[TammyCross]

When they are that bad, they are "adverse effects." I lost quite a few teeth. I am okay but it is not good to lose 4 molars.

[stardust1965]

Denosumab is a quick small injection into the subterraneous fat in your tummy and generally easily tolerated. I have found it so much easier than Zometa which required a visit to the chemo suite and an IV drip into the back of my hand which became more and more sensitive. On Letrozole I had aching joints etc. but I moved from Letrozole on to another treatment at the same time I moved on to Denosumab so I didn’t have both treatments together. Both meds should be fine but will you have Letrozole with another treatment alongside it, which is normally the case?

[MarsiJay in reply to stardust1965]

I am only a month into treatment with Letrozole and my oncologist told me about the Denosumab injections. I am having another scan in six weeks' time to measure progress so I shan't know until then if anything else will be added. Thanks for your message; it is very encouraging

[stardust1965 in reply to MarsiJay]

I hope your scans go well and your treatment plan deals with your symptoms and you start to feel well again soon. My meds dealt with the acute pain.

[MarsiJay in reply to stardust1965]

I hope very much that all goes well with you and you will have relief from pain

[Hidden]

The Denosumab is for your bones. I started on this before Letrozole and Ibrance (palbo) and found my back pain lessened immediately.I do my own injection at home which saves a trip to the hospital.

Hope it all goes well for you

Clare

[MarsiJay in reply to Hidden]

Thanks, Clare, for your cheering reply. You are very brave to do your own injection though the travel to the hospital is a bit of a pain. Well done

[Hidden]

It’s actually easier and less of a shock doing it yourself.I have been going to the hospital monthly for 3 years, and wait hours for a quick injection, so I am chuffed I don’t need to go there any more.

Hope you continue for a long time on these meds

Clare

[MarsiJay in reply to Hidden]

Thanks Clare. I don't know why but sticking a needle into the fat of your tum sounds less scary than into your arm. I think the latter is a more painful area.