Covid and Ibrance

[Gmaoftriplets]

hello,I tested positive for Covid 2 days ago just now heard back from my oncologist. She said stop Ibrance for 2-3 weeks but to continue with letrozol. Has anyone been told to do that when they have gotten Covid?

[Susan1953]

I had covid in January and kept taking both Ibrance and letrozole. I never even thought to ask the doctor🤷‍♀️

[Gmaoftriplets in reply to Susan1953]

I went 2 years without getting Covid then just 2 days ago both my husband and I tested positive, oncologist said I can go off of Ibrance for 2-3 weeks. I’m going to stay off for 1 week for my white count to be good. Ugh

[kearnan]

Others in my cancer center that I have spoken with told me that the Ibrance kills your white blood cells also (thus the week off) so going by what my doctors have said, your immune system is very low already with Ibrance so if they want the vaccine to work properly, that is why they may be asking you to hold off the Ibrance.

[Discocat]

Yes I think it’s common practise to be advised to come off Ibrance while fighting any infections etc.I had Covid back at the end of January into February this year. In my case it was confirmed during my week off. I was advised to only restart once I tested negative and was symptomless. Which was necessary anyway as I had to go to the clinic to collect my meds and could not do so without a safe pass at that time.

Hope you have a light bout and a speedy recovery

Best wishes

Zoe

[Gmaoftriplets in reply to Discocat]

Thank you, I’m feeling much better.

[Nocillo]

I was told to stop taking Ibrance during the worst symptoms, so I only laid off of it for 3 days. Then I resumed as normal.

[Itisfinished]

Everytime I got sick along with covid they made me stop Ibrance due to it bring down your blood counts.

[Gramat]

Yes, the same happened to me. It is protocol to stop. I had further bloods innbetween

[Rosiero]

I too have just got over covid. Came off ibrance and stayed on letrozole. I was also on the immunotherapy drug. I came through fine and although exhausted for 2 weeks am now back to normal.

[Melpub]

I believe you were given this advice because Ibrance (I also take it) lowers your white cell count. But not in the same way that chemo does. If you feel okay, that's what matters. I might question another oncologist on this.

Once, when my regular oncologist was on vacation, the young intern taking her place looked at my blood and said I ought to stop the Ibrance immediately! I felt fine. It turned out the young doc

(1) Thought I was at the very beginning of the Ibrance cycle--I was on day 15.

(2) Thought there was no difference between the way your white cell count looks on Ibrance and the way it looks when you're getting chemo. I kept going with Ibrance after emailing my doctor.

There's a big difference--something to do with granucytes or lytes (my onc. explained, but I can't remember the term.

So if your onc is not entirely informed, check with another one.

[8576]

I didn't have Covid but was advised to come off Ibrance until two weeks after breast surgery. Your body can usually not handle this type of medicine beside fighting other diseases.

Cheers, June S.

[Phillipians4and6]

Hello,I was positive for Covid in December. I had to come off the Ibrance for a few weeks. Everything was fine.

[love2golfwell]

I had Covid in January and my doctor advised me to stop taking the Ibrance until I was feeling better. I had just finished my week off and took an extra week off. It was fine. When I went for my next bloodwork it was the best it had ever been. I did stay on the Letrozole though during that time.

[AvidBooklover]

I had Covid in March 2020...yep in olden days of it. I actually called the doctor and told her I was stopping Ibrance until I was better. I was actively sick for 2+ weeks. The strain I had I think was rougher than the variant out now.

[KarenandLinda]

Hi, I am currently having a break of three weeks from Ibrance although not for Covid but for an explanatory scan after experiencing some side effects. I am still taking Letrozole so I think this is a pretty regular occurrence. Don’t worry

[U2Rocks]

My oncologist routinely tells me to stop Ibrance for x number of days if I’m having a procedure, eg. colonoscopy, cortisone shots for my knee, etc. She said it helps cut down on risk of infections. However, when I got diagnosed with Covid they sent me to the hospital for antibodies infusion to fight the virus. That really fought the risk of severe problems.

[Gmaoftriplets in reply to U2Rocks]

I’m going to the hospital this morning for a monocodial antibody IV. I tested positive for Covid Tuesday and my health provider had the Covid team call me and I meet the requirements, so I’m hoping it helps!!

[NeverOutOfTheFight]

My onc took me off for a month, but kept the Femara was well. I pumped up my Vit C & D, and Zinc. I also used Benedryl at night to quiet the cough/stuffyness.

[SpongebobMom]

Tested Covid + in May of this year, onc said that there was no point in stopping ibrance.

Never had an issue with super low WBC though.

[LDR1]

Hi there, that makes sense since Ibrance lowers your white blood cell counts and since those are the ones that fight infections, you need them to help you recover from Covid. The letrozole is just hormonal so that doesn’t affect your immune system.Hope you can get Paxlovid or an antiretroviral infusion to help you fight it off? Best of luck.

[Gmaoftriplets in reply to LDR1]

Going in this morning for the antiviral IV. I’m hoping it helps!

[BallerinaMel]

So, what if someone has the sniffles or just a slight cold, we have to stop Ibrance for a bit? Not sure what we all need to do about that one.

[LadyKatarina]

It is very common to stop Ibrance. I stopped Ibrance both for surgery and for radiation--weeks for each event. The estrogen blockers do the heavy lifting--so don't worry about Ibrance until you get stronger! That drug is very harsh! Also the infusion of monoclonal antibodies should hep you immensely--they will replace the antibodies your body should be making to fight the virus. Hope you feel better soon! Kay

[Gmaoftriplets in reply to LadyKatarina]

Thank you

[Shafight]

I had to go off Ibrance when I had Covid. Then I had to stay off because of cataract surgery. 5 weeks total. Very scary

[Shafight in reply to Shafight]

I was told to stop Ibrance if I had a fever

[michelangelina]

When I got COVID, I was told to stop Ibrance because it would interact with the antiviral Paxlovid. Luckily, I was getting close to my off week anyway, so I only ended up missing a few doses, and then started taking it again when it was time to start the next cycle. I continued to take letrozole throughout.