fatigue

[3sofar]

I have been on Ibrance plus Faslodex since 2018. I have been able to meet 2 more grandchildren and see them grow. I am extremely grateful for this. However the fatigue makes me into someone I don’t want to be. Has anyone overcome this symptom? I am taking B complex.

[Nocillo]

I wish I had a good answer for this and if anyone does I’ll be very interested also! I often just cry because I’m SOOOO tired of being tired! Dinner is a two ingredient meal on good days, otherwise it’s cereal or pizza. I sleep as much as I can at night or all day if need be, but fatigue runs my life and it’s SO frustrating!!

[Discocat]

Hi

Sorry that your feeling so exhausted!!

It's really positive that you've been on ibrance for 6 years though! I've been on ibrance for 3 yrs together with Letrozole and Zoladex and Zometa. I get a bit rundown at the end of the 3 week cycle but other than that I find my energy is OK.

The only time I felt awful was at the start of my diagnosis while I was on Kisqali....it didn't agree with my liver and made the liver enzymes go up very high....during this time I was totally washed out with no energy at all.

My oncologist is very much against me taking any supplements, vitamins or over the counter meds as these can put an extra load on liver function to process them.

I'm not sure if you routinely get tested for your liver function during your check ups?...I get full blood work tests every month still...but thats also a requirement for the Zometa treatment....but may be ask to get liver enzymes checked ?

Keep drinking lots of plain water daily and although it sounds counterintuitive...try and get out a bit to get some fresh air and light exercise like a slow walk...these all help pick me up a bit.

Hope you feel more like yourself again soon!!

Love

Zoe

[mackster]

I'm sorry to hear Ibrance is causing you such awful fatigue problems. I'm in my early 70s, and on Ibrance. I get tired and rest a bit more than before, but continue life more or less as normal, walking, gardening and other hobbies. I wonder if you could get a reduced dose? We are all so individual in our responses. I couldn't take Ribociclib or Abermiclib because I couldn't eat, and felt as if I was wearing a lead overcoat. I'm happy that this medication has kept you well since 2018. Wishing you an improvement soon.

[Nocillo in reply to mackster]

Lead overcoat is the perfect description!

[Artesa]

I'm sorry to hear you are so fatigued. I'm on Ibrance and letrozole, it will be one year in June. The only thing that has kept me feeling good is regular exercise though it can be hard to do. I'm nearly 72 years old and with my husband , I hike short but aerobic trails through our nature preserves here in Maine. I try to spend an hour a day hiking or walking, more is great but so is less. Walking just 15 minutes a day will make a difference in your energy level. You can start with a 5 minute goal and work up from there. I get tired toward the end of the 3rd week of Ibrance and slow down or take off. I've started resting/napping more also.

[Bettybuckets in reply to Artesa]

Excellent advice! I love hiking in Acadia… MountDesert Isle near Bar Harbor.

[Watjo]

Oh sweetie, I'm sorry you are feeling down. I think you should talk to someone about your feelings. I love that you are talking about your grandchildren. There will be happy times, embrace them. Live gor them and more good times to come.

[1horse]

Have your Iron level checked. If it is on the lower end, take Iron ferrous sulfate 65mg. And take a stool softener for the first couple days. I take Super Beets cube when the 3pm droziness hits. American Ginseng 500mg twice daily will help. Aren’t the grandkids great?

[1horse in reply to 1horse]

Also make sure your B complex has folate in it.

[Elund]

I did one cycle of Ibrance and my levels went so low that I am now on a 3 week break. I started folate, B12 and papaya leaf extract. Feeling better now but just dreading going back on it, even at a lower dose. I was doing 100mg and going to 75mg. I have seen ij some groups that doctors put patients on Ritalin to help with fatigue but have not had a chance to research that yet.

[Suite1000]

It's good to know, I'm not the only one with fatigue. I agree that supplements and exercise can help (and caffeine). Even so, I seem to have a couple of days a month where I can't even get out of the house. I try to stay busy as I work and do other things, but it can be really frustrating. I'm always looking for tips as well, but I don't think there is any magic solution.

[Danie-in-Montreal]

I also have been taking Ibrance and Letrozole since 2018. I'm doing well but the fatigue has gradually set in these past 2 years. For the first time in my life, I've started taking naps in the afternoon! I try to hike in nature whenever I can, to stay in shape and help relax. No other magic solution to offer, I'm afraid. I did feel much better when I exercised regularly but can't seem to find the time anymore, so I do what I can.

[Bettybuckets]

Those are all good suggestions. I was in Ibrance and then Verzenio and remember the FATIGUE… now on xeloda and about to have to make change to IV chemo which may be fatiguing again. My suggestion for those times is a narcolepsy drug called Provigil which was used during desert storm to keep our soldiers safe as they sprinted toward war and needed to stay awake for 2 days. In lower dose they used it for chemo brain and fatigue of treatment. I get the smallest dose 100 mg and break it in half… it has a half life of 12 hrs so when I am very fatigued I take it in morning and then I sleep so well at night. But I function normally during the day with a good amount of energy.

I hope that was helpful for those of us who know what real fatigue is… when even your eyes hurt and you can’t even read… in fact in studies with children and fatigue the kids used words like their face hurts… interesting. Happy Mother’s Day to all the mothers!

Me and molz

[Beattheodds]

I feel the same with same medical history as you. I’m also glad to still be here but this is not the life I saw.

[TammyCross]

Exercise is best; takes some willpower, but some of us are also using medications to help with energy. I take Wellbutrin. There is a small study showing that it helps with fatigue from mbc meds. Another person on this list takes Ritalin when she is knocked out and has to work.

[monkeygirl62]

My fatigue comes and goes with Ibrance and I am also on letrozole. I nod off a lot even in the middle of conversations. I really should just take a nap. I have low neutrophils and think I have a UTI, I am experiencing symptoms of one. I think I am going to have to tell my oncologist before I see her at the end of the month. I also have a very dry throat in the mornings. Last month it was throat and mouth sores but they went away on their own. The fatigue is such that sitting down, even for a couple of minutes, guarantee's that I fall asleep. I am going to request a dosage lowered of the Ibrance. I don't want to sleep through life. I thought about vitamin B12, I have some gummies but they taste like a vitamin rather than a fruit punch. I am not so sure their are doing anything. Anyone else has any ideas to combat the fatigue??

[CTGirl1962 in reply to monkeygirl62]

Hi! I’m the same. I can have company over and be having a conversation with them and fall asleep in the middle of it!! All my friends know this about me and just laugh along with me!! But it is annoying. I get a UTI at least once a month, which is also annoying, but Ibrance has been such a wonderful drug and I will continue with it as long as it’s still working on that cancer.

Hugs & Love,

Jody

[monkeygirl62 in reply to CTGirl1962]

Oh that's funny 😂, me too. Sitting chatting with my son and I fall asleep. Sometimes I fall into a deep sleep 💤😴. Lol.

[Corvette2007]

I’m just about 80 and the fatigue is overwhelming

[monkeygirl62 in reply to Corvette2007]

I wish coffee could keep me awake. I feel for you and as we get older these side effects are a struggle for sure 😊. Hugs 🤗

[troutgal]

I've been on Ibrance 125 and Faslodex and Zometa since mid 2018. A little over a year ago oncologist has me go to 14 days on 14 days off ibrance, same dose, to help with fatigue. Is can be overwhelming and napping does not help. I am going to switch to night rather than morning when I start the next 14 day cycle in a couple of weeks- see if that helps. 76, retired, diagnosed 2006, mbc 2018. Keep sharing ideas on the fatigue.