Ibrance fatigue vs Verzenio fatigue

[Nocillo]

Hello all, I recently switched from Ibrance to Verzenio. Still less than a month ago. With Ibrance my fatigue was more like slogging through deep mud everyday and forcing myself to do things. My Verzenio fatigue feels more like a weakness fatigue and my stamina is virtually nonexistent. Has anyone noticed this?

[NShaft]

I haven’t been on Verzenio but you explained the fatigue on Ibrance perfectly.

[HoneyBadgerLady]

I am on faslodex and ibrance and have both "weak muscles" fatigue and "tired groggy brain fog" fatigue. Hope you find relief.

[Gonnawin]

I was switched from Ibrance to Verzenio about 3 months and what you describe with both drugs is accurate. With Verzenio 150mg, I had horrible back door trots! So I was switch to 100mg which is better for the diarrhea issue, but the weakness and stamina issues continue. Hopefully with time, these things will improve!

[TammyCross]

We are all different in side effects as well as cancer response. Ibrance was relatively easy for me. I did have to sleep more, and sometimes nap during the day, but often could keep going. Verzenio was much more debilitating and my muscles are demonstrably weak. Now I am on neither, but still have not so much stamina. I can do half what I used to before I have to take a break and recuperate....so -- is it being 3 years older than when I was on Ibrance? Is it the exemestane? Is it meds + cancer?

[Nocillo in reply to TammyCross]

Exactly! I was hoping exemestane would be better because I think it’s my next option. Verzenio does make me feel like my muscles are so weak. It’s always nice to know what others are dealing with. Thank you for your response.

[TammyCross in reply to Nocillo]

Exemestane replacess fulvestrant or anastrozole or letrozole. -- reduce estrogen

Verzenio (abemeciclib) is targeted, and might be replaced by Kisqali (ribociclib). Ibrance (palbociclib) is another targeted.

In the US, but apparently not elsewhere, the two sets of three meds are switched around, with one anti-estrogen and one targeted med.

But I did find verzenio harder than Ibrance. (I probably can't take ribociclib because of heart issue I didn't know about but had to have ekg before going on ribo.)

I find exemestane easier than anastrozole, and I couldn't do letrozole, too much hip pain.

[Nocillo]

First I was on Anastrozole and Fulvestrant, got 6 1/2 years from that. Next was Ibrance and Tamoxifen for about 2 years. Now it’s Verzenio and Letrozole. I hope to get more than two years. I have had bone mets in my entire skeleton since day one. I’ve got ductal and lobular. I’m very fortunate that I have never had any bone pain. I read about others and don’t know how they deal with it. Thanks for your information. Good luck 🍀

[PeabodyTerrace]

Nocillo, I too had fatigue with Ibrance and Letrozole but was able to stay on that combination for 18 months before it stopped working. When I was switched to Versenio and Fulvestrant, I noticed that my fatigue was also accompanied with weakness, both of which improved when I had the dosage reduced. Unfortunately, that combination stopped working and I am now on Xeloda and have been for two months. After one month, I asked for the dosage of Xeloda to be reduced; I am still fatigued and weak, but am able to live a quality life provided I don’t overdo it (i.e., if I make plans for one day, I need to take the following day off for rest). FYI, my original invasive lobular carcinoma from 1995 metastized to my peritoneum and omentum in 2021. Perhaps, you could ask for a reduction in the dosage. I will let you know how I continue to do on the Xeloda. If I can help in any way, I am here for you! Cheryl

[Nocillo]

Thanks! I did discuss reducing with my oncologist. We’re going to keep an eye on it. I’m doing a little better one month in. Hope your combo works longer than a few months! I’ve got lobular and ductal too.