ibrance 5 days on 2 days off?

[SushiLife]

Hello warriors! I have been on ibrance and Anastrozole for 4 yrs and have had great results. However, the Ibrance wears me out! I have read of some changing from the three weeks on, one week off to a schedule of five days on, two days off. One of my oncologists said sure try it, so I did and felt like a new woman for two months. But then I checked in with my MDAnderson onc and she said absolutely not. Stick with the schedule that was researched and shown to have the highest efficacy, so now I’m back on the 3 week/1 week schedule and feel awful again. Anybody changed the schedule and what are your doctors advising?

[Nocillo]

I was on a 3 week on. 2 week off for 2 1/2 years. The fatigue came and went, no regularity. Now I’m switching to Verzenio and Letrozole.

[Dflur]

Ditto, same experience, but I am staying on the 5 days on 2 days off

[SwedishSissi]

I am on 2 weeks on 1 week off. Afher a bit of experimenting (every 2nd day etc.). That works fine. I've been told it is all individual and to do what makes you feel better.

[Mytanya]

I was on the 3 week on 1 week off and it was horrible for me. My oncologist told me to do 2 weeks on 1 week off and that made all the difference! I have been on that for almost 2 years NED.

[Gmaoftriplets]

I have been on Ibrance and letrozole for 6 1/2 years, since May I have been 3 weeks on Ibrance and 2 weeks off because of the fatigue. I know a couple of ladies in my support group who are on the same schedule.

[Totheriver]

I am on the same meds as you. It gas been 4 years. Tried many different combinations but am j2 weeks on 2 weeks off at 75mg. This is all I can handle. It is a tough journey.

[gerisplace]

I’ve been on Ibrance and Letrozole for six and a half years now. I recently changed to 3 weeks on and 10 days off. Reason was not because of fatigue but because my wbc was not up enough after just a week off. Everyone has a different experience and you have to do what works for you. Good luck!

[Merma]

Congrats to Gmaoftriplets & gerisplace! I'm right behind you - almost 6 years on Ibrance and anastrozole, but I'm on it for endometrial cancer. I've been on the 3 weeks on/1 week off schedule. The last couple of cycles, my wbc haven't recovered so I had to take longer weeks off. This last time was 3 weeks. I will get a blood test at the 21st day next week. So, we'll see what the dr says. He's not a fan of the 5 days on/2 days off. (He is one of the drs who did the clinical trials for breast cancer and now is doing it for ovarian cancer. )

For the fatigue: I kind feel like I have an energy bucket, so I plan my days accordingly. The days I have my grandchildren are not the days that I do a heavy swim workout - and so on.

[Dragonfly2]

Well, a year ago I was on IBrance and anastrozole…the 3 week schedule was make me miserable…I had infections and depression . I got on the 5 day on,2 day off and immediately felt better. After a year of that, my tumor markers are riding and I’m having back pain. A recent scan in May showed I was still fine but the doc wants to scan in September… I feel that my time on IBrance is drawing to a close at 36 months…but I feel at least I was not so miserable on th 21 day dosage…which I often had to take a Two week break instead of one. IBrance has a typical life cycle of 27 months…I feel I’ve done better than that. I hope you get relief and enjoy quality of life. I feel that done docs keep you on the “prescribed” dosage even if it’s killing you…so yiu can ask about the two week on and one week off…best of luck!

[13plus]

Try googling it but I am quite sure that recently when perusing trials I saw that the drug manufacturer themselves were doing a trial with that 5/2 day schedule! I thought that was great because I did the treatment for 3 yrs but 3 weeks on/2 weeks off, always due to low wbc. I hadn’t heard then about the 5/2 schedule but I sure would’ve jumped on it if my doc had suggested it. I also seem to recall reading that this drug moves through us fairly quickly so having a long break doesn’t seem ideal.

And I’m a huge advocate for quality of life!. I know we have to balance out success of treatment with QOL but sheesh, we also get so much more out of our remaining time if we don’t feel like crap!

[SushiLife in reply to 13plus]

So true! Always telling myself to snap out of it! But I also give myself a break on these things I just cannot control. I think I will send the study to my drs and revisit that conversation. I didn’t know the manufacturer is doing a study on it too. I will look. Thanks and good prayers to you!

[13plus in reply to SushiLife]

I hope you can find the trial info! I can't recall where I saw it, sorry. Best wishes!