knee Replacement

[U2Rocks]

Has anyone with MBC gone off their chemo drug ( for me Ibrance) for a month for reasons to strengthen their immune system to prep for surgery? I desperately need knee replacement. My oncologist just completed a body and chest scans and I remain stable as I have for 2 years. I have been given the go ahead to have the surgery.

[mplevine]

I did make at the end of April for an abdominal hernia repair. My blood levels went back up and after I was recuperated, I went back on Ibrance about 2 weeks later.

[U2Rocks in reply to mplevine]

Thanks. That helps me to know others went off their drug with success

[TammyCross in reply to mplevine]

I am having surgery for an inguinal hernia in October. My oncologist has not said anything about stopping meds (Verzenio and anastrozole). Hmm. Is she wrong?

[mplevine in reply to TammyCross]

It’s all about how strong your immune system is. If your blood levels are good, then perhaps going off your meds is not necessary. With Ibrance your blood levels are compromised and is why I went off a few weeks before and after to help my immune system.

[TammyCross in reply to mplevine]

Okay, thanks. That must be it. My blood levels are good, and were when I was on Ibrance, too. My oncologist did make me have a PET/CT before I can have the surgery.

[mariootsi]

Good luck with your surgery!

[U2Rocks in reply to mariootsi]

Thanks so much! 💖

[Lilykristymichael]

yes I was off Ibrance for 6 weeks for a knee replacement. No progression at all. Best of luck.

Madlyn

[U2Rocks in reply to Lilykristymichael]

Thanks. That makes me feel better!

[CyndiA]

I have for a few months during surgeries. I'm doing great.

[U2Rocks in reply to CyndiA]

Thanks so much!!!

[Hidden]

Hi. Yes, I came off Ibrance for five weeks before I had an indwelling pleural catheter fitted, and went back on Ibrance one week after the procedure. Also came off Ibrance for three weeks before a tooth extraction, went back on it ten days after. I continued to take Letrozole the whole time. Hope everything goes well with your knee replacement. Best Wishes.

[U2Rocks in reply to Hidden]

Thank you. This helps calm my nerves. Stay well

[friesianfan]

Greetings! My wife had both knees replaced while on Ibrance in January and June of 2018–before and after our daughter’s wedding. If I remember correctly, she was off for a couple weeks each before and after, just to keep her immunity up. Surgeries went great. I know I’ve shared this before, but it’s worth repeating. Our oncologist, Dr. Nancy Lin, who has presented on this site a few times and is often a keynoter at major MBC conferences said to us at the time (less than a year after my wife’s de novo MBC diagnosis…) “I can’t tell you how long you’re going to live, but I CAN tell you that you are going to live long enough to be glad you did the knee replacements!” Not only was that 100% true, but 6.5 years into this journey it was still one of the most positive, supportive moments on this scary path. She is just the best…

Good luck with your upcoming surgery—and do the PT, the best you can! Both Jill’s mom and dad also had both knees replaced. She did the PT, he…not so much. You can guess the outcome!😀

Dave

[TammyCross in reply to friesianfan]

She is wonderful, and what a nice thing to say. Envy your being near Dana Farber.

[AileenAlly]

I had a hip replacement yesterday. I went off Ibrance three weeks before surgery and may be off Ibrance after surgery for two or more weeks, until the surgeon releases me. I’ve checked with my oncologist several times and she approved stopping the Ibrance. I started Ibrance in February 2023, so I had not been taking it very long. I was diagnosed with MBC in January 2023. I hope this information helps.

[U2Rocks in reply to AileenAlly]

Very helpful. Glad you had the surgery to help with your quality of life. Best to you. Thank you so much. Speedy recovery

[Discocat]

Hello

It wasn't for surgery...but I was taken off all meds (which at the time were : Kisqali, Letrozole, Zoladex and Zometa) due to a bad liver response to Kisqali.

It took more than a month to get my liver enzymes down but there was no progression at my next scan and I remain stable now on Ibrance as a replacement.

Good luck with your surgery....focus on your pre and post op care for now and you'll get back to zapping the cancer soon!!

[U2Rocks in reply to Discocat]

Thank you for your words of encouragement! Best to you and your journey.

[Aquadog]

Went off Ibrance for four weeks (one before and three after) due to back surgery. No progression. I did stay on letrozole the entire time.

Good luck - you shouldn't have any problems.

Hugs, Susan

[U2Rocks in reply to Aquadog]

Thanks. Makes me feel better. Yes I’m told to stay on my1 mg anastrosole

[Pups2Cute]

Hi, yes my Mom went off of Ibrance for about a month went she went for knee replacement surgery last September. My Mom is currently 77 years old and she healed really quickly from knee surgery. She is walking well now and is feeling well. However, she has had to switch to Fulvestrant in July due to a detected 6 cm liver met. Her most recent scan shows stable and possible shrinkage of the met. She is also on a trial med here in Canada. Best wishes for a successful surgery. New knees are life changing. My Mom needs to wait on the second knee due to starting a new med. she is hopefully she can have it done next year. Take care 💗

[U2Rocks in reply to Pups2Cute]

Oh I wish her the best. You are making me feel better and ready for this surgery. It’s so hard to walk now and I hope I can get the second one done early next year. Prayers for your mom. Thanks again

[Pups2Cute in reply to U2Rocks]

Thank you!! You’ll do great!! My Mom was really pumped for the first knee surgery and is looking forward to the second. She can walk with me and my dogs and even passes my Dad in the mall 😆. The post surgery went smoothly and my Mom didn’t need a lot of pain meds. Be careful with the opioids though, as they cause extreme constipation. Do only use if really needed. My Mom didn’t take too many but ended up in the ER for a fissure from constipation 😢 She was fine and it went away but she is now super careful about such meds. She aced the physio therapy classes and her range of motion is excellent. Hopefully you will sail through the surgery and heal quickly. I told my Mom her knee is probably better than mine now. 😆 Best wishes ♥️

[U2Rocks in reply to Pups2Cute]

Oh that’s great! I will be thinking of her success the next few weeks. I too would love to be able to walk my dogs. I will watch for not taking to many pain killer meds. Thank you again!!!