inflammation update

[Browniem]

A sincere thank you to all who responded to my wife’s situation. Your caring and thoughtful answers are greatly appreciated. We saw her oncologist today. She has pathologic fractures of the sternum and one rib. It seems not much can be done other than rest and time to heal. I did request that he consult with an orthopedic oncologist to see if there is anything more we can do as the pain involved is significant. We will consider a bone strengthening agent in near future. We also decided to change her treatment. She will start on Verzenio and tamoxifen tomorrow. This will be her fourth line of treatment. The Canadian government doesn’t cover this as a later line of treatment but I have read about some small studies that have shown it can be effective. Her oncologist has a few patients in similar situations who are doing well on it. The manufacturer is covering the cost. I will update from time to time as there may be others considering a similar treatment. If this doesn’t work we will go on enhertu.

[love2golfwell]

I'm so sorry your wife is going through this. I hope that these fractures will heal and that you get some type of solution from the orthopedic oncologist for the pain she is experiencing. I pray that the new treatments will also work for her. Sending both of you hugs and prayers as you navigate this difficult journey.

[Browniem in reply to love2golfwell]

Thank you for your kind thoughts. So far there hasn’t been much concern on their part over the fractures. Basically the attitude seems to b it happens and it takes time to heal and just increase the pain medication.I’ve clearly expressed my concern over the fact that it hasnt improved in over a month and whether cancerous bone will in fact heal. I’ll wait until next week to see if they get beck to me with any nee information from the ortopaedi specialist.

[Oberammergaux2]

Our very best hopes and wishes are with you and your wife! It’s a tough road. Please keep us posted on how you both are doing 💕

[Browniem in reply to Oberammergaux2]

Thank you for your kind thoughts

[irisF]

Je suis également confrontée à cette difficulté quand on a découvert ma rechute d'un cancer du sein j'avais 13 fractures à la colonne et aux côtes, on a essayé sur moi différents traitements que j'ai très mal supporté. On a commencé par le fameux Verzenios accompagné de faslodex, j'ai tenu le coup pendant 5 mois jusqu'à ce qu'il devienne trop toxique pour le supporter, dans la foulée j'ai eu kisqali et ibrance, les trois médicaments sont de la même famille. Depuis le mois de mai je vois une nouvelle oncologue qui a agi de façon intelligente, au lieu de donner la plus forte dose en une fois, commencez par la plus faible et monter progressivement. Elle me traite actuellement avec afinitor et exemestane sa façon de procéder semble être plus efficace. Deux mois après la prise de ce traitement on constate une réparation des fractures et un arrêt de la progression des lésions. A voir à la longue mais du coup le traitement est beaucoup plus facile à supporter. Pour la protection osseuse on envisage le zometa qui est un biphosphonates , ce médicament semble aussi avoir de bons résultats sur les métastases, je vous encourage à voir ses résultats sur pubmed qui est la bibliothèque internationale médicale, c'est très encourageant. Je vous souhaite bon courage dans ce combat long et difficile.

[TammyCross]

13 fractures! That is a lot. Great you are now seeing an oncologist who seems to be paying more attention, and is starting on the lower dose, and the new Rx seems to be working, at last.

Yes, the treatments for osteoporosis seem to inhibit the cancer, too. At least it did for me. I was on Xgeva, not a biphosphonate. (But I got ONJ and when bone mets returned, I could not take any of those meds.)

[TammyCross]

That is great that your fractures and tumors are responding to the new treatment, and that you have a thoughtful oncologist you trust. You certainly went through it, with 13 fractures.

Yes, the bone-strengthening meds do seem to quell bone mets.