An FYI for those of you on Ibrance and Simvastatin. Unfortunately I had a bad reaction to the combination of these 2 meds. Despite the fact that I’ve been taking them for 6 years with no problems, last week I developed what’s called Rhabdomyolosis. It basically causes muscle breakdown. CK levels are how they determine,. I went from walking A mile a day to suddenly not having use of my legs and being hospitalized. I’m finally home recuperating and getting Pt and OT. For now I’m off Ibrance and when I’ve recouped will go back on with either no statin or definitely not simvastatin. It’s a very dangerous but rare condition that can effect heart brain and other organs.
Mim
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Mimiholl
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Sorry to hear that.Did you mean that eventhough your CK levels were normal, you developed Rhabdomyolosis? What other drugs have yiu been taking at the moment together with ibrance?
I had the exact same thing only mine was caused by cholesterol medicine, mixed with Everolimus, however, I lost my kidney function and had to do dialysis for a month and a half. Missed the entire summer of work. I am back normal now. In fact, I just got back from my kidney doctor and he said I have normal kidney function no damage so very lucky there but yes, everyone be careful it starts out with you, losing your muscle mass in your legs I couldn’t even walk upstairs to our bedroom.
FYI ny CK levels were over 39,000 plus that’s the highest level the blood test scores so it was probably much higher ! (range goes to 145) so with a level that high you are in danger of renal failure, heart and brain problems. I was told specifically that Simvastatin and Ibrance use the same pathway in your body and something else tips the scales ( ie. omicron shot, flu shot , other meds, Tylenol, etc) receiving round the clock fluids and only being on letrozole, levothyroxin (thyroid meds, and xerelto(blood thinner) after being in the hospital for 8 days I’ve gone from not having use of my legs and starting to effect my arms, I am now rapidly improving at home.
I posted this only to inform, since I had rhabdomyolosis 2 months ago. At that time my CK levels were not checked and it was assumed that it was a reaction to the 4th omicron booster shot. It had been reported that some immune compromised patients were experiencing similar symptoms after having the shot( others got Bell’s palsy or guillain Barr syndrome ) I hope this prevents others from having same experience . Meds save our lives but also can really harm us.
It’s good to hear you all that experienced this are doing well. I pray that you recover rapidly. May I ask if there were any symptoms and at what point did you have to be hospitalized?
My first symptoms were leg weakness I was shopping and barely made it to car and needed help to get into my SUV. 24 hours later had to use a walker . 48 hours later needed walker and husbands help. Then ambulance to hospital. Had brain and spine scans to rule out tumor or cancer since I am a stage 4 breast cancer survivor. I had this same situation 2 months ago so I knew the drill. This time though. With it spreading to my arms and started to experience brain fog we knew much more serious. The thing with Ibrance and letrozole I am fatigued and 3rd week of cycle more , so at first you think it’s just worse fatigue. Receiving round the clock fluids it’s what’s needed to flush it out. Hopefully when I go back on Ibrance I will either get different things or no statin. I don’t want to go through this again. I am getting better day by day.
That's really frightening. I'm on both too. The scary thing is how long you'd been on the both with no interaction and then that happens out of the blue.
I had the same problem with statins. After taking statins for several years, I developed muscle weakness in legs. Ten years ago I went from walking 4 miles per day to having difficulty walking half a mile, then I could barely get up off the couch! Went off statins, slow improvement over 6 months to regain strength in legs.
After a couple years I resumed taking statins and after several more years ….again weakness returned. This time I didn’t wait for the weakness to get severe before contacting my doctor. I have been off statins since April…. Slowly regaining strength.
I feel your pain…it takes time to regain your strength. Sending hugs.
wow! They should warn us. I didn’t know that could be an issue. I was on Lipitor when I started on Ibrance… and took myself off just not wanting to take too many drugs. Sounds like that was a good call.
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