Hi all,
I am currently on letrozole and ibrance. Due to low neutrophils the regime I am following agreed with my. Oncologist is 3 weeks on 2 weeks off at a doseage of 75mg. Can you advise if anyone else is following this regime, for how long and hiw successful it has been
Many thanks Helen
Onc. Just dropped my Ibrance to 100. I am on same schedule as you and was working but wbc dropped to low.
I’m also on 3 weeks on 2 off due to low neutrophils. 100 mg. I’ve been on it for 18 months now and hope to be on it for a LOT longer!🤞🤞🤞
Hi Helen,
On Ibrance 100 and Letrozole 3 weeks and 3 off, also due to low neutrophils. Been on this schedule for at least 8 months and scans still stable. Seems one can be somewhat flexible in the schedule as many differ from the traditional 3 weeks on; one off. Take care! KS
This seems to work for many, according to posts I have read. You could also speak with your doctor about the alternative 5 days on/2 days off schedule. A clinical study on this just coming to an end.
clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show...
The idea is that it is a shorter amount of time that Ibrance is not in your system, but that this period is long enough enough for your white blood cell count to regenerate.
I wanted this schedule for myself but my onc only goes according to the standard treatment methods and this schedule is still considered alternative. Hopefully the outcome of this clinical trial will change this. But I have also read posrs from people who are on this schedule and it works well for them.
All the best for you!
Has your doctor tried reducing the dosage? I was fine on 75 mg for years
I started on 125mg, with plan to be 3 weeks on, 1 week off but had low neuts on first two cycles so ended up with 2 weeks off. Spoke to oncologist and he reduced dose to 100g, 3 weeks on 1 week off and I've mostly been fine. Occasionally low neuts on testing day but testing me again next day and they've increased to acceptable level. Been taking for a year now .
After my 3rd breast cancer diagnosis in August 2021, I began 125 Ibrance and Letrozole with 3 weeks on and 1 week off. I was very tired and my WBC was too low. So Doc dropped Ibrance to 100 with same 3 weeks on 1 week off. WBC not as low as 125 ibrance and energy level improved. Been on this routine for 6 months with no recurrence !! Will be on 100 for 2 more years. Wishing you success and a happy life
I am on 75mg of ibrance...2 weeks on, 2 weeks off also due to low neutrophils and wbc.
Hi,
I’ve been on the same regimen for 4 years, Two weeks ago my doctor took me off Ibrance for 3 months to try and improve my neutrophils 🤷♀️I am very worried, even though she assured me people have done it before.
Good luck
HI!
Don't panic about the break. When I was on Ibrance I had an 8 weeks break. I was worried but everything bounced back and I was able to go another year and a half on Ibrance before it failed. The fail had nothing to do with the break.
After a couple of weeks off you'll start to feel amazing so plan to do some of the things you haven't been able to! Enjoy your time and you will be able to get back at with a fresh mindset and recovered body!
Hugs
Tammie
Thank you so much!! I appreciate knowing people that are on this journey with me. I will enjoy every moment off. It’s like taking a vacation!
I have been on 75 mg Ibrance, 3 weeks on, 1 week off for over 2 years and am doing just fine. I wish you the same results!
hello Archie dog! I was doing poorly on IBrance 100 ; my neutrophils were always low, I felt so exhausted and depressed but my Onc only told me to take a two week break betwe3n cycles. She didn’t want to lower the dosage to 75. I was sick and tired of feeling sick and tired. My cancer antigen numbers were rising (though I was told this was due to the various vaccines I’d had over the past months.). In any event I started researching trials about IBrance and found the alternative dosing schedule.
The original trial was meant to show that this 5 days on and 2 days off schedule helped people avoid neutropenia while still delivering all the clinical advantages of IBrance. nature.com/articles/s41523-...
Then, in another trial ending this December, the findings should show that this new schedule is actually better in delivering tumor suppression benefits . clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show...
I’ve been doing the 5/2schedule for three cycles without interruptions. No more neutropenia, no more fatigue, no more depression. And scans this month showed unchanging results with no progression. Fingers crossed.
If IBrance is effective against breast cancer cells, how can it be effective if you have to take a two week break between cycles? After sharing the trials with my Onc, she agreed to let me go off script and do this. She’s so excited with this outcome; she’s doing this for other patients.
Do share with your Onc. Often they feel constrained by prescribing protocols so are reluctant to try something different. Science needs proof. Best of luck 🥰
I am on a different regime. Just replying to see if you considered this. I had low neutrophil and WBC count in my first cycle and my oncologist immediately made me consult a nutritionist specialized in oncology. She strictly instructed me to have a lot of protein and 2 litres of water everyday. She explained that these two are very essential for our body to form new WBCs. She instructed to have a portion of cooked fish/meat, 2 gooseberries, a portion of leafy vegetables, a glass of pasteurized milk everyday along with other food. So we can personally control the other foods we eat, but I make sure I take all these daily. Yes, it takes a lot of effort cook all these and stuff. But I am on my third cycle now and my WBC is at a good level. I hope this helps.
I am on 75mg 3 weeks on ans 2 off due to low neuts. Been on that largely since august 2018 x
The U.K. do not offer 5 days on and 2 days off I believe.
Good to know! Almost 5 yrs on this (assuming no change in last 7 mths since this post lol!) I am reading this string late lol! I too am on same schedule but just for a couple months. I was a little concerned when 1st changed but have 1st CT scan in a few wks so fingers double crossed everything stays stable! Cheers & stay well! 🥰
Ibrance schedule 5/2 days. 
To be on Ibrance or not?
Ibrance
