So upset because I have low neutrophil and need to postpone starting date of Kisqali, next Wednesday. Just had lab work for 2nd cyle of Ibrance and the Dr. wants my count to improve before I start a new cycle. I have just started these medications so I am quite disappointed.
Any thoughts?
Hi there! Lower the dose? These medications work just as well at lower doses. That seems to be the standard next step. Hope this helps.
we are going to do lab again in 6 days and see what happens.
I hope it’s good news so you can continue on your protocol! I’m thinking it will be!
I find that my neutrophils stay above a reasonable level when I take Kisqali and letrozole on a 5 days on & 2 days off schedule. This means only one less dose of Kisqali in a 28 day period (20 rather than 21). I think all of these heavy cancer meds will ultimately be prescribed on this basis once practice catches up with research findings.
P.S. I am 78, and appreciate your doctor's concern about your neutrophils. Cancer is certainly hard on all immune systems!
I had a hard time getting on my meds almost 5 years ago. Took over 6 months to get it right. I went from highest dose to lowest dose which I am tolerating now. I take it 2 weeks on 2 weeks off.
what meds were you taking?
I am taking Ibrance and letrozole . I had a bit of growth in 2 tumours in my spine so just finished radiation. I will have scans in March and if it shows improvement I will stay on the same meds.
I also had low neutrophils count and I read about eating dark chocolate at least at 70%, I tried and just after a month my neutrophils are back to normal. It worked for me so worth you give it a try.Good luck!
I read something about that and was intrigued. I love dark chocolate. How much did you have to eat in a week?
I eat one square every day after dinner, and that done the trick!
I am going to try it too. My neutrophils are barely on the normal level. Like 1.99 ( normal level starts at 1.8) and I don't want it to drop lower.
Me too! I bought chocolate today ! My neutrophil count was 1.2 !!!I can’t start my new drugs until it goes up 😩
Yikes!! My count was .69
Dark chocolate will be my new favorite "drug"," a refreshing change and yummy since I love dark chocolate. I wish it could cure cancer.
Me too!! Let me know if it works for you….
I will! Because blood work will tell the tale!
Hopefully it will work for you I started a couple months ago at 1.3 then 1.6 and this month 2.7.
Oh wow that's good!!
Good luck, hopefully it works for you too !
Hi! I’ve been fighting MBC in my bones since June 2018. First course of action was Ibrance & Letrozole. That lasted 3 1/2 years before it stopped working. Verzenio and Faslodex was next, lasted a few months then Xeloda til markers started to rise and liver panel was in the red starting beginning of July 2023. Had MRI’s & CT scans-turned out that it spread to my liver & CEA 15.3 soared to 1558. Started Taxol IV & Cytoxin oral 8/2/23. By the 9th week of infusion, I broke out in a terrible rash. Had to start Adrimycin IV & stay on Cytoxin. Off Cytoxin now for a while but still getting the Adri. Always got lower doses of that because I’m high risk for cardio issues. Well, markers are down to 258.1 and liver panel is perfect. Had MRI of liver this week & I’m stable. My problem is that my body can only take 500mg of Adrimycin & I’m up to a little over 300mg. The next treatment will be tricky. All the genetic testing (over 74) has come back negative-I’m a blank slate! I’ll have to have a bone biopsy soon to get new cancer cells-the cells from the first one in 2018 are dead. So right now I don’t qualify for most drugs. I may have to go old school with treatment. And my WBC & Neutrophils tank to critical every time I have chemo. Now I have to get filgrastim shots before my infusions. I am going to try the dark chocolate though-maybe it’ll help in letting me get out of my house to breathe! With such low counts, I’m terrified to catch any virus or infections that are out in this world. Covid & Flu A are rampant here. I already got a cold that turned into bronchitis and of course set me back with chemo.
I so sorry you’re going through such difficult times, but please hung in there, I know it can get overwhelming, I’m going through a very similar situation, but we all have to take one day at a time and don’t loose hope that better days are coming up for us, please stay positive 💙
You are on Ibrance and going to start Kisqali, too? That doesn't make sense. It should be one or the other. Is that what you meant? You wouldn't be stopping Ibrance after only two cycles...
sorry to confuse you. Stopping Ibrance and starting Kisqali after my doctor did more research and investigated latest research. I have had only two cycles of Ibrance and now have the Kisqali in my possession waiting to begin.
Dark chocolate is my least favourite thing but I do have a recipe for chocolate mousse cake which makes dark chocolate bearable for me. And I do need a boost to my neutrophil count. I’m quickly talking myself into a session in the kitchen. Yum!
I will let you know how things turn out on Monday. I have a feeling my neutrophils are so low that it will take longer to return to acceptable level. Will see....
thanks for the kind thoughts.
yes, my oncologist said same thing. Likes Absolute neutrophils to be at least 1.0 or higher before starting or restarting. The good news is my body responds quickly. Hopefully yours will, too.
Neutrophils 
Neutrophils dropping 
0.5 neutrophils and 1.0 WBC on Ibrance
