84th Cycle of Ibrance coming up!!

[chemohawk]

How many people have more than 84 cycles under their belts... and if so, what side effects do you suffer... and how do you treat them?

[jersey-jazz]

Well done, you! What is the drug that the Ibrance accompanies and that you have done so well with?

[chemohawk in reply to jersey-jazz]

Faslodex injections and Xgeva injections.

[bracelets1]

84!!!! That is fantastic!!! Medicine goals!!! 🤩

[2Hopeful]

I’m same age as you - on cycle 34. You give me hope! Thanks for sharing.

[Tantalon7211]

I’ve only been on Ibrance .75 for 6 cycles - congrats on your 84 cycles- that’s amazing and helps us all -

I have side effects though, fatigue, nausea, headaches, but trying to hang in there

Do the side effects get better as time goes on- I’ve heard it can take a long time for body to adjust sometimes

[Merma]

Congratulations! 84 cycles is awesome! I have been on it for 66 cycles. The longer I’m on it the more little weird skin infections I get. Some months the neuropathy n my scalp is annoyance, but overall, it hasn’t been a hard ride and it’s keeping the cancer away.

[1glajon]

that’s amazing!!! I’m 3 years 100 and arimidex and xgeva. Scans are good. My insurance is changing and they are saying I may need to change to something less expensive. I’m a couple months from 70 I know my oncologist will make sure I stay on it.

[Nocillo]

I’ve been on it for 2 years now. Is one cycle 3 weeks? If so, I’ve lost count of how many I’ve had.

[Suzianna10 in reply to Nocillo]

one cycle is 4 weeks, it’s just that you have the fourth week off med. So 2 years is 26 cycles, as I understand it, correct me anyone if I’m wrong

[Nocillo in reply to Suzianna10]

Thanks! I’m two weeks off. Too much to count at 5 in the morning!🤣

[chemohawk in reply to Suzianna10]

You're exactly right, sweetheart!

[bikebabe]

that’s 7 yrs. how amazing. I’m only on cycle 17 with Letrozole and xgeva but hope to get to your impressive tally. Whilst overall I think this drug is amazing and allows me to lead a normal life, as you say, it does throw up a few little surprises. Back of my scalp can be so sore at times and under my toes on right foot (I did have neuropathy from chemo) so maybe it’s that, and such embarrassing wind. And I’m doing a course - most of the class had either covid or bad chest cold. Me with lowest immunity - nada! Sometimes so impressed with my body. Look forward to hearing g you get to 200!

[Mimiholl]

I’m 71 and 73 months on Ibrance and letrozole .( diagnosed MBC IV almost 7 years ago, 26 weeks red devil, lumpectomy and 6 weeks radiation) Was on 125 and recently reduced to100. I’m 3 weeks on and 1 week off. I only went off Ibrance when I had knee replacement and Rhabdomyolosis ( be aware of statins an Ibrance interaction which can cause very serious case) after all this time my main issue is fatigue, nausea has pretty much disappeared. I hope for many more years on Ibrance. Hope more of you have this longevity.

[Dragonfighter]

I have been on ibrance for 3 years, along with letrozole. It is an amazing medicine, lets me live a fairly normal life. I am nervous about it not working anymore, but your post gives me hope that it will be valuable for a few more years. Thank-you!

[AvidBooklover]

I am almost at year 4 100mg and only stopped for Covid and thyroid surgery. Also faslodex shots and Xgeva. Amusingly I have more fatigue the week that I am off!!! Never had an issue with blood counts.

[BallerinaMel]

I have been on Ibrance for 27 cycles. I have some fatigue, but four months ago I noticed some hair loss (I have alopecia areata before cancer diagnosis). Now, I have about 40 percent of my hair left. I purchased a wig and hoping my hair will grow back. I am on 125 mg of Ibrance with letrozole.

[op1986]

I am 6 years on Ibrance (about 78 cycles) and Letrazole…it has been really good for me! No side effects. My hair thinned at the beginning but Biotin has helped to restore thickness of hair.

[gerisplace]

I’m 72 months on Ibrance and letrozole this month. Extensive Mets in my scalp, spine, shoulders, ribs, and pelvic area. All have remained stable since diagnosis. Side effects I have are dry skin and eyes which makes them water constantly. Last two years I get hives and have to take several allergy pills daily. Sometimes I wonder if the Ibrance causes these things or if it’s just age related as I’m now 69 years old. Overall I’m trying not to let MBC stop me from enjoying life and retirement.

[love2golfwell]

Wow, that is incredible, so happy for you. I have been on 125 mg Ibrance and Letrozole since November of 2020 and doing well so far. My side effects are hair thinning and some loss and eyelash and eyebrow thinning. Otherwise I feel great!

[hurricaneheather]

mets dx July 2015. started Ibrance August 2015. NEAD since March 2016. each cycle is still different, as per the mind-body upon the beginning of the cycle. minimal and manageable side effects: fatigue, sinus, headache. rest as needed. drink water, including coconut water.

[Scampbell63]

70 cycles to date! No real annoying side effects since following a keto diet since 2018. I had bad thrush then and slight activation on my Crohn's disease ( that was in remission since they removed just about all of my lower digestive system as a child). Now with just about every day exercise, I almost do not notice any fatigue as well. Still working full time at a demanding job that I love, travel and enjoying our home in the mountains. God is so good and pray that I feel this way for a long time!

The view from our place in the mountains of Appomattox, VA. I call it "Heaven on Earth."

[Kahe]

Hi Chemohawk, Thank you for sharing your good news and giving us all such hope. I really hope you continue to do so well.

I am 58 with stage IV (after 12 years primary diagnosis), bc lung mets in my right lung and pleura. After 6 cycles of ibrance 125 mgs, letrozole daily and faslo monthly, cancer has gone from my pleura and other tumours greatly reduced. (I started out on ribo but my liver couldn't tolerate it)

My side effects are fatigue and some hair loss (but I continue to work part time and exercise) . I hope and 🙏 this progress continues

Thanks again for sharing Chemohawk 😀

[michelangelina]

Congratulations on 84 cycles! I am closing in on 5 years of Ibrance and Letrozole. I started out at 125mg and then went down to 100mg after a couple of years. I was getting mouth sores for a while, but then I started taking a Zinc supplement and things improved quite a bit. I still get some fatigue, but I am mostly able to push through it, and if I can't I will lie down for a few minutes. I work full time and am involved in a number church activities. Overall, life is good. I pray that I can stay on this regimen for a long time.

[Sharon0122]

That’s great news!! I never thought of counting, and makes a wonderful life!

[TE53_67]

Hi - I've been on Ibrance since August 2018, with 3 weeks on and 2 weeks off 75mg. This is due to low neuts when I had my blood test at 5 weeks. So I think around 50 cycles. 🤔

[morty87]

Wow - that's amazing. I've been on Letrozole and Ibrance for 5+ years. I've had really good results. It's assuring that this combo can work for many years.

[WhippetX2]

Thank you for your post because the responses have provided a lot of hope for us "newbies". I have been on Ibrance 125 mg. and Letrozole for two years and hope for many more.

[Gingerann1]

28 cycles for me at 125mg. Along w Faslodex injections. Got to NED at cycle 15 one year ago. Have high hopes I’ll be able to stay on this first line treatment for a long time. Best to you! 👍

[Jaynikan]

It's wonderful to hear .I have completed 24 cycles.whats the duration after which you take pet scan and what's the condion required to continue the treatment it would be helpful if you can give info on this.you may be longest ( 84 cycles )in taking ibrance certainly giving hope to many!!!

[chemohawk in reply to Jaynikan]

My doc has done a scan every 3-4 months since I've been metastatic. As I understand it, I will be on this regimen as long as I have no progression. If/when the cancer advances, he will look at follow up options then... Things change so much in short periods of time these days because of research. Does that answer your question?

[Jaynikan in reply to chemohawk]

Yes thank you so much

[HbbM]

this post makes me so happy and gives me so much hope.

[Iguanaf]

It’s so encouraging to see this! For those of you who have long-term success with this, would you mind sharing whether any of you have metastases to organs (lung/liver/brain)? Thank you so much!

[HoneyBadgerLady]

Thank you for this post. It gives us hope. I have widespread bone mets and started on faslodex as a first line treatment 2 years ago. My last scan showed a couple of suspicious areas and my doctor said that we may add Ibrance after my next scan (late this month). It's good to hear that it could work for many cycles.