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Starting Letrozole & palbociclib tomorrow
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This discussion was created from comments split from: Metastatic Breast Cancer & avoiding weight gain while on Letrozole ?.
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Hello
I start Letrozole and Palbociclib (Ibrance) tomorrow as need to take same time everyday
reading comments here are they that bad with pain etc
does anyone get nausea on these think I’m stressing bout nothing but that’s me0 -
Not_good_63_57
I am switching from Letrozole to Anastrozole and commencing Palbociclib this week. Am also anxious about the nausea side affect. How are you going? Hope all is well and you are coping.0 -
Hi
sorry haven’t been on here much
did u start ur tablets
I did but off tab at moment as it lowered my white cells so have to wait til next week
had no problem taking them didn’t make me sick which is good0 -
Hi, I am just coming back on to the website after a few years of not being on here.
Since I last posted back in 2017 with Stage 2 and went through all the chemo, radio, surgery etc. I was doing well.. then in Oct 19 I was diagnosed with Stage 4 with mets in my bones. I started Palbociclib and Arimidex in Oct 2019 and now 18 months later I have been stable for the past 6 months with the CA 15-3 markers. Occasionally I will get some nausea, but I find the tiredness is the hardness part and the joint pain in my body and mainly my knees is the problem. I am Ostrogen positive so this is a huge issue with joint pain.
The Palbo is working so I am happy with that. Most of the 12 lesions in my bones have shrunk but not gone.
Each month I have a blood test to check the WWC and Neutrophils and CA 15-3 markers... Neutrophils are around 1.2 which is way too low but I have not moved much in the past 18 months 1.2 - 1.9 is my range now. WWC is around 3.5 or sometimes lower but only once hit 4 which is the base range for the "normal" range. So yes I am in the "don't get a bug" category. I work in and out of the hospital system so it is challenging at times and especially with the COVID situation.
I have never stopped the meds except for 1 week last June when I was supposed to have another operation to clean up the boobs from July 2016 but as I am now stage 4 my Surgeon does not want to "put me in the grave" by operating. She is very upset about this as am I cos they need some work done but "it is what it is" as I say.
I am living my life and getting on with not dying just yet.
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Have not been on here for a while, last post was when I was first diagnosed and about to see surgeon after mastectomy. Cancer found in lymph nodes, another surgery auxiliary clearance and full scans to check everywhere. Just before chemo started confirmed spots in liver, unsure if cancer as to small but chemo started and if spots affected was confirmation of stage IV. Unfortunately and fortunately the chemo reduced the spots so since December 21 have been on the palbociclib letrozole combination. Anyone else on here for stage IV to the liver? Current stage the spots have been reduced to a very minor scar and not progressing, my neutrophils are low at 1.2 and have dropped below that once, Took a extra week off the palbo, bone ache, tiredness and slightly thinning hair main issues, have had some bouts of depression but currently in a good head space and living life as best I can. Am welcome to chatting with anyone, how everyone is doing ok3
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Hi lovelies
lm back , haven’t been here for a while .I was travelling ok until last year . Had pleural effusion . Cancer in lung lining. Sternum hip and spine . I have bad right hip pain now and have been put on 10 radiation treatments.The pain is so bad .I am sad l cry all the time . Nothing has been kind to me . I just need someone to say breathe .3 -
I’m on Ibrance,letrozole and zoladex .Btw how do you all cope with side effects. Weight gain especially and joint pain.2
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Hi @Ashanty88, I am so sorry to hear of your struggle. I am just at the beginning of bone mets and so I don't know what meds I will be on yet. I suspect from initial discussions I will have radium and a little break and then the meds.
I am concerned about side effects but so far with my initial diagnosis my oncologist has been willing to adjust meds and treatment plan when it wasn't working for me. Can you talk to your oncologist about your pain and other side effects to see what they can suggest? Also what about your breast care nurse if you have one or even your gp? Then too can offer suggestions and support.
Do you do anything like exercise to help or mediation? Deep breathing settles me down and do too does some mindfulness practice, like focusing on the 5 senses eg breathing deeply and focusing on what you can see, hear, taste, smell and touch. I do this on my walks.
Take care and reach out to your medical team about your side effects. I don't think you should stay silent and suffer like that. Best wishes and sending love to you ❤️3 -
Thank you Cath
l will talk to my team . I do mindfulness at times , it seems to help . I will give meditation a go too1 -
Absolutely, @Ashanty88 - as @Cath62 says, talk to your Onc about the pain, as there is no excuse for that. Or ask them or your GP to refer you to a pain specialist. Even using Medicinal Cannabis Oil (which has NUMEROUS strengths to deal with strong pain) would probably benefit you more than man made opioids. Take care
I am so sorry to read of your diagnosis, Cath xx I hope that the treatment chosen for you will be minimal with minimal side effects but still able to control the mets xx. Yes, being in the 'moment' with those 5 senses is what has been suggested for me too .... tho I need more practise xx. Take care, you are in my thoughts xxx
I found this the other day with just those sentiments xx
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Thank you so much endone is so bad with the constipation . I eat a bag of prunes and coloxyl but still so much pain . I did hear about medicinal cannabis and it’s benefits as well . I will do my research,
btw l feel heard ladies 😊thank you 🙏🏿1 -
@Ashanty88 - as well as doing your own research, you can do a search on the forum for Medicinal Cannabis Oil (see link below) as we've been discussing it for the last 5 years, on & off. ....
Clicking on the link below will show you some Webinars you can watch from 2022 from the search .... and other info threads as well ....
https://onlinenetwork.bcna.org.au/search?query=medicinal cannabis oil&scope=site&source=community
It should only be a matter of time before the other states 'come in line' with the current ACT law, where Canberrans can grow 2 plants each (or 4 per household) and can make their own Medicinal Cannabis Oil!
I can't wait for that to happen as it also takes the criminal element out of it as well! It is a HERB, for God's sake!! Plenty of other herbs are used for medicinal benefit!!0 -
The cancer l have is estrogen positive. so lm scared that cannabis May increase estrogen. It has such good reviews for other breast cancer not estrogen positive.2
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Hi @Ashanty88 - I had awful bone pain and joint stiffness with Zoladex and Anastrozole and my oncologist suggested Curcumin which I take morning and night as a tablet. It has made a big difference for me. Perhaps check with your oncologist.
Hopefully it provides some relief for you xx
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