Ibrance & Lung Health

[OceanArtist]

I am wondering if anyone has experienced shortness of breath/lung problems taking Ibrance plus Letrozole as a treatment for lung cancer. I know adverse lung effects can be a side effect in a very small percentage of those taking Ibrance.

[kokopelli2017]

hi.

I personally have not experienced shortness of breath/lung issues with ibrance. however, it is very real and other's on this site have experienced this severe side effect....hopefully you will hear from someone. it appears to happen more than mentioned. if you are having issues with your lungs....stop the ibrance immediately and let your oncologist know asap...as in tomorrow morning. if you are feeling shortness of breath now.....go to the ER. this is a serious side effect. not trying to be alarming. just trying to be proactive.

best wishes....

carole XO

[PJBinMI]

I absolutely agree with Carole--call your onc immediattely, stop the Ibrance immediately and ask for a referral to a pulmonologist (lung specialist). I was on Ibrance for a few cycles in 2016 and it did permanent damage to my lungs, Interstitial Lung Disease (pulmonologist described it as being like gunk between the air sacs) I get out of breath easily, esp when it's humid. Two Rx inhalers, albuterol and trelegy. You mentioned "lung cancer." Do you mean mets in lungs from bc or primary lung cancer? Either one, STOP the Ibrance immediately.

[OceanArtist in reply to PJBinMI]

Thanks for the constructive comments. I plan on doing what you stressed. The mets in the lungs are reportedly from bc. The tumors are few and small. Blood indicators are low, around 25. I step back from all this and see that the "cure" can sometimes be worse than the disease.

[PJBinMI in reply to OceanArtist]

FYI Before Ibrance and similar targeted therapies, many of us with MBC did well on Letrozole alone. I got almost five years from it, then over 9 years from Faslodex, and have now been on Exemestane for about 4 years. So dropping the Ibrance is minor compared to the damage it can continue to do and for you may make no difference in the long run.

[Granny333 in reply to OceanArtist]

You sure are right there

[Tolife_18]

hi, I’m sorry you’re experiencing shortness of breath. Yes, Ibrance has a rare but serious side effect of interstitial lung disease/non-infectious pneumonitis.

However, I noticed that you’re taking Ibrance/letrozol combination for lung cancer. Therefore it may potentially be related to this.

I did experienced shortness of breath while taking this combination. However, after a pulmonologist reviewed CT scan, she decided that it’s related to the radiation to the thoracic Part of spine. I continued the combination. The symptoms improved, however, there are still changes in my lungs.

So I recommend immediately contact your oncologist.

Feel better!

[OceanArtist]

Thank you. I will take your advice. My thoughts are with you and for a meaningful recovery.

[Puppy_love]

I have scarring in my lungs and I think it’s also from I dance although my oncologist is keeping on the Ibrance. He says if I’m short of breath and my CT is worse in this coming December then he’ll take me off it.

[8576]

Stop the Ibrance and call your oncologist. Unfortunately it can do damage to your lungs. He will put you on something else.

Cheers, June S.

[OceanArtist in reply to 8576]

Thank you. I'm going to take your advice.