Forum Discussion
Giovanna_BCNA
8 years agoMember
New to the group with spinal mets
@FYONA1 posted
hi everyone
i really would like to hear from someone who is going through mets to the spine I was diagnosed a few weeks ago and did radiation and am currently doing letrozole and ribociclib
am feeling very scared and worry about some of the frightening side effects that I may experience
if someone can plz tell me how they're feeling that would be very much appreciated
hi everyone
i really would like to hear from someone who is going through mets to the spine I was diagnosed a few weeks ago and did radiation and am currently doing letrozole and ribociclib
am feeling very scared and worry about some of the frightening side effects that I may experience
if someone can plz tell me how they're feeling that would be very much appreciated
26 Replies
- gjfMember@FYONA1 Hi, no I haven't experienced hair thinning :)
- wendy55MemberHi @FYONA1, when I was on the Letrozole,there were no obvious signs of my hair thinning,again it was my hairdresser who kept a constant watch on what was happening, as I havent been on Ribociclib I cant give you any advice, we all react differently to these drugs and the signs arent always obvious in the first few days hair is one area where it may take a little while, having said that you might not have any side effects at all,you just have to be able to give the drugs time to get into your system and work, STRESS has a huge impact on our overall being and especially our hair, so as hard as it may seem the more you are worrying the more stress you are under, its a vicious circle I know but if you can somehow come to terms with the fact that you just have to give this a little bit of time,there are other factors as well hair is usually the first that will show signs of not being happy if you are not happy, I understand you are having a call with the BCNA pyschologist tonight, perhaps that might help with some of your fears, you are going through a very difficult time and the best strategy I could offer is distraction,thats what I do when I am in pain or upset, I understand that you must feel like you have lost control of your life and if you are a person that likes to be in control like me, it is very hard and I guess having the final say about your hair is one way of dealing with this, but I cant stress enough, please let the drugs do their job for a little while and see how you go, your hairdresser will be your best friend and if she is not sympathetic then perhaps its time to ask around for someone who is, there are products now on the market to fill out your hair, but ultimately this is about your well being, your health,ALL of these drugs have side effects in one form or another some women get them some women dont, so please just breathe, one day at a time - we are all here for you - any time you want to chat just let us know and someone will be here to offer support and guidence or just a listening ear,having said all that I have just made an appointment with my hairdresser for a shampoo and blow wave, my partner and I are booked into a Otis Foundation holiday retreat for a three day break, as I said no cost, all you take is your food, and drive there,and enjoy,so thats what we are doing, the dog is booked in to the kennels, and off we go!!!
Keep in touch,
Wendy55
- FYONA1MemberHi@gjf
thanks for the great tips
can I plz ask you in terms of the side effects with the ribociclib/ letrozole have you experienced hair thinning and if so when did this start - Giovanna_BCNAMemberHello @FYONA1
I have updated your post to Wendy55 and included the @ symbol before her name. This will ensure that @Wendy55 will see your message. - KattykitMember@FYONA1, if you want to let wendy55 to see your post you need to put @ before her name, then she will see it and be able to respond, take care.
- angg66MemberI agree with @gjf. Walking & exercise help keep me feeling good & is a great stress release. I also have bone mets plus mets in the liver & chest lymp nodes.
- gjfMemberHi @FYONA1, hope you're doing okay. Hope you can feel reassured that I'm doing okay and have been on letrozole and ribociclib for 8 months now and have had very few side effects so far (a bit tired, sore joints a bit and low-ish neutrophils which meant I was on the lower dose of ribociclib...but didn't pick up an infection). Oh and I have bone mets, including in my spine, but haven't needed radiation therapy so far. Exercise has been really helpful to me in keeping me calm and feeling good - walking is great. All the best.
- FYONA1MemberHi @Wendy55
just wanted to say hi and that I'm having one of those bad days again I'm very worried about ribociclib/letrozole side effects
i just can't get my head around the whole thing - wendy55MemberHi @Brenda5, love how you put outsmarting the cancer and adapting to live a different way, so very true!!!
wendy55 - Brenda5MemberMy dad has bone mets and from time to time over the years he does have a bit of radiation to settle things down. It seems you have to stir it up before it gets better. He has had a few sorts of chemo as well, infused and tablets and now he is on a new chemo every 3 weeks. He manages the bone pain with prescribed painkillers and his biggest hassle atm is numbness to his fingers and feet which is a side effect of the chemo. We may have to get him a portable power chair esp for shopping as his energy wanes after a bit. He can still walk upright, soldier straight and you wouldn't know at 78 that he has bone cancer.
If you eventually end up getting a portable power chair yourself for those long shopping trips, get one that the Coles trolleys can attach to. Where we are, Coles has a specially designed trolley that will click to the front bars of the chair.
That's really what surviving day to day is, outsmarting the cancer and adapting to live a different way.