iBrance side effects

[PlutosNose]

I just started iBrance (been on Letrozole for a year ). How long does it usually take for side effects to start showing up?

[Kateds]

I’ve been on Ibrance and letrozole for six and a half years. Pain in my joints and arthralgia have been the worst side effects for me. I started off with morning stiffness that soon became more painful. It took about six months to a year for it to get bad enough to take pain meds. I am still managing with the same low dose pain med after six years on it. Not easy, but manageable. I also suffer from intermittent fatigue. Good luck to you. The drugs have kept my cancer asleep, Er+ de novo with Mets to liver.

Kate from Alabama

[PlutosNose in reply to Kateds]

Thanks to all of you who took the time to share.. calmed me down a bit just to hear from real people rather than statistics! Don’t know what I would do without this site.

hugs,,, Cathey

[Kayaker82]

Hello! I have been on Letrozole for 2 years and Ibrance for one year. My experience is much the same as Kateds. Started out with morning stiffness in feet after getting out of bed and then would go away, which has continued for the 2 years. I had very minor pain in my wrists and finger joints until about 6 months ago and now the last 6 months I have more pain and some difficulty with dexterity. I currently am not taking any pain medication, but if it gets any worse, I may have to consider it. I attribute the pain and stiffness to Letrozole. I do have slight fatigue with Ibrance but find an exercise routine helps keep my energy levels up. Good luck!

[Beryl71]

I have been on ibrance and letrozole for three years. I remember crying when they told me what the side effects might be. Initially I had a few mouth ulcers. I had a few months when I had a UTI which led to a kidney infection but once we nailed how to avoid these I've been fine. Think positive, they have to warn you! Carolyn x

[mariootsi in reply to Beryl71]

How do you avoid uti?

[Beryl71 in reply to mariootsi]

I was told to attend to gyno urinary health. I take a small amount of pure cranberry juice per day as advised by the oncologist. I use a vaginal moisturiser because my age and depressed hormonal levels caused vaginal atrophy which affects bladder too and makes you more susceptible to infection. ( I had been on a previous 10 year course of tamoxifen with my primary tumour) . And I use a pure lubricant as necessary for external areas . I had good advice from the Macmillan nurses who even provided sample products for me, and I found a sympathetic female doctor who gave me an examination and advice. I actually embarked on a new relationship just after diagnosis and so it was important to get this sorted. I was determined the diagnosis was not going to stop me in my tracks.

I wish you luck and hope you find the support and advice you need.

Love

Carolyn x

[mariootsi in reply to Beryl71]

Thank you Carolyn

[JKMS]

I have been on those meds for coming up to three years, still no evidence of disease (for now) and had no side effects other than slightly thinning hair which happened after first round. Agree with Beryl71 - it may well be that the side effects for you are minimal if any 🙏🏻

[Kruza]

I have been on Letrozole and Kisqali for 1 year 4 months. Fatigue from Kisqali is on going. Joint pain especially in my hips (more painful on the left) started about 6 months after and they are continuing. I take predisone on and off or pain meds.

[mariootsi in reply to Kruza]

Letrozole gave me terrible joint pain and stiffness.

[Oklahom]

I’ve taking, Ibrance 75ng for 2.5 years,, side effects are sore mouth end of 21 da y cycle, constipation, bouts of weakness and fatigue with breathlessness. If you do have pain even from other medical conditions it can intensiy the pain. These symptoms are not alway present but pretty constant. I’m 83

[jersey-jazz in reply to Oklahom]

God bless you at eighty-three Oklahom!! I'm eighty-six and besides all the MBC horrors, I am thriving. Here's to us!

[love2golfwell]

I have been on Ibrance and letrozole for over 2 1/2 years. The first week and a half I felt nauseous overnight which was very unsettling. I used Chimes Ginger Chews which I bought on Amazon and started taking my meds at dinner time. The nausea went away. I have had thinning hair which came on after about a month or two. That has leveled out and I keep it cut very short. I do have some morning stiffness, but it goes away once I start moving, so it is manageable. Everyone reacts differently to Ibrance. Some people get low white blood counts, but I have never really had that. Think positive about this new treatment and believe it will work for you. My scans have been stable so I am hoping to stay on this combo for many years. Sending you hugs and prayers.

[morty87]

I've been on the Letrozole/Ibrance for almost 5 1/2 years with really good results. Some hair thinning, achiness and fatigue. I think out bodies get used to the meds over time. I take a daily Claritin to help with the bone pain. It's amazing but it works. I've had a few mouth sores, but they have also been manageable. The most odd side effect that I have encountered is motion sickness, especially on a boat or in a plane. It's odd enough, but I have learned to take my meds at an alternate time when I've traveling. Good luck and God bless.

[Totheriver]

I have been on that treatment for 4 years. Had a rough start with nausea and extreme fatigue. I usually have a couple of days a month that I have nausea and intermittent fatigue. Theresa

[Red1246]

You may have none other than fatigue or low white blood cells which is my situation. Ibrance and Letrozole have kept my bone metastasis stable for two plus years. I’m so grateful for these meds. My nails are weaker and break easily and my hair has a very different texture but these are hardly problematic in the grand scheme.

[PlutosNose in reply to Red1246]

Thank you!!

[lovnmycat]

The side effects were worse for me at the very beginning. Extreme fatigue and muscle stiffness/ sore. I did have some nausea. And my hair went crazy curly and frizzy with some thinning but returned to mostly normal after about six months. After about 2/3 months the side effects got a lot better. I'm happy to say have little to no side effects now. Other than about six months in the nails were very brittle so collagen seemed to help with that. Good luck.

[PlutosNose in reply to lovnmycat]

Thankyou!!