Ibrance and bruising

[Mermaiden]

I have been on Ibrance and Letrozole for 6 years now with NED!!! I'm so grateful for that and counting on many more! I'm wondering if any others of you on that protocol have issues with cyclical bruising. I get tons of bruises on my hands and arms at the END of my week off of Ibrance. It will all settle down again about 10 days later as the Ibrance builds up in my system again. After about 18 bruise free days, it all starts again. Anyone else having similar issues?

[Red1246]

Congratulations on thriving after 6 years on both meds. It gives me hope as I am on the same since end of 2019.

Do not have issues with bruising and have not heard of it before. Have you asked your oncologist if they have any other patients experiencing this?

All best for your continued well being. KS

[Mermaiden in reply to Red1246]

hi Red. Well, congrats on being on this protocol successfully for three years also! Yes, my oncologist has not had any other patients experience this. The only reason I think it must be related to the Ibrance is I can almost predict to the day the bruising will start, it is so cyclical with the Ibrance. I actually thought I would call Pfizer tomorrow morning and talk with them. 🤷‍♀️

[Red1246 in reply to Mermaiden]

Good idea and good luck getting through to Pfizer. I’ve tried on numerous occasions wanting info on taking Paxlovid if on Ibrance etc. - all to no avail. Please let us know what they say if you get through. All best!

[Merma]

I do bruise more easily, but not as you’ve described. Congrats on being NED for 6 years!

[Discocat]

Hi Mermaiden.

I'm on the same meds plus Zoladex monthly shots for almost 3 years.

I do also get bruising as you say ...but seems with me mostly on my legs.

I've always bruised easily and have been told that my skin is very "thin" by ultrasound technicians??? Not sure if any connection. I'm also hyper flexible...sometimes called hyper mobility syndrome HMS...which means there's a collagen defect that makes the muscles and tendons more pliable and my arms and legs bend back in an extra angle than normal...again not sure if it's connected but I'm clumsy and have always bruised very noticeably...only now it's at the end of the ibrance cycle and I have no memory of knocking into anything to get the marks?!

Also, like you, the med combination has worked well to stabilize my extensive bone mets and I'm NEAD....(Will not get NED with bone mets)

Wishing you all the best and continuing success with your treatments.

Zoe

xx

[Discocat in reply to Discocat]

As an afterthought I do have a theory...I think we accumulate multiple small knocks throughout the month that don't show as bruises as our platelet counts are low...until these rise at the very end of the Ibrance cycle and the bruising comes up in a cluster ???

[Mermaiden in reply to Discocat]

thank you Discocat! Interesting your bruising is on your legs, mine is all from the elbow down, both arms, always. Certainly some is from bumping, but others just start out of nowhere. I guess it certainly is related to the platelets, and a small price to pay for keeping cancer at bay! Good luck to you, to us all!

[SwedishSissi]

I do not get bruises, but blead very easily on my last few days of Ibrance and first few days of the week off. If I scratch things (bad habit, but I do it while sleeping), it doesn't stop until I wake up... In between I am fine.

[AvidBooklover in reply to SwedishSissi]

I scratch too...they say because skin is so dry!

[Northcarolinafighter]

congrats on your meds! Gives me hope!!!! I too bruise a lot. But I also take baby aspirin and excedrine when I get a headache, sinus. I was told it was because I take those. Ibuprofen will do that also. I find myself being clumsy a lot, so idk.

[Dragonfighter]

Hi, yes I have noticed I bruise more easily. I have been on Ibrance/letrozole for almost 4 years..

[Lilywallytootsie]

Been on Ibrance/Letrozole for almost 7 years and get lots of bruises on my hands and sometimes lower arm. I have attributed it to blood pressure medication rather than Ibrance but who knows? Could be a combination of drugs we take. I am so used to it. Haven't noticed when it happens. It is there a lot. Our bruises could be caused for totally different reasons. I am 78 years old so age may play a factor in mind. Good luck and blessings to you. Hannah

[viennagirl]

I have not had any significant bruising - but if I bump myself I bruise easily. It is good to mention this to your oncologist. I am over close to five years NED on Ibrance and Letrozole. I also hope for many more great years. I feel quite good on this combo of drugs and hope it continues to keep me healthy. Best wishes to you for many more good years. Hugs Marlene

[hurricaneheather]

mBC dx July 2015. Ibrance, Anastrozole, and Lupron (changed to Zoladex) Aug 2015. NEAD since @ March 2016. this body bruises easily, more so when towards the end of the cycle. what i know... Ibrance can lead to low platelets in the blood, thus bruising or minor bleeding.