Ibrance (Palbociclib)
Comments
-
@brutersmom I don't think I've seen that on my scans. It sounds kinds of concerning. Hope it turns out to be something that is easily treatable. Keep us posted!
1 -
I've had "actelectasis" show on my scans a couple of times, but then it goes away. My understanding is that it's sort of a "mini" not real important "partially collapsed lung" situation. I don't know if some people just develop it off and on or what, but it can be relatively minor from what I know. I think I too have seen it when I've had some sort of minor cough develop. I think deep breathing can help it go away, and that sometimes it develops because of shallow breathing which can happen just from sitting at the computer, etc. I'm no expert at all of course, but this is what I've gathered over time in my own situation. I've never had my onc be concerned about it, and then it usually doesn't show again a scan or two later - then a year later some will show again.
Just editing, as I'm wondering if since it's spring, maybe pollen can get in the lungs and cause some relatively minor problems.
1 -
Yes, I've had this on my scans too, "minimal" actelectasis, and nobody has every blinked an eye at it.
0 -
I seem to remember that I had some show on a scan I had in the ER 2-3 years ago and at that time they told me it was from "hyperventilating", i.e. shallow breathing, and again said it could come from stress/anxiety, sitting at the computer, etc. I think things like minor coughs, colds, allergies, and then more seriously perhaps, asthma can cause it. Like Tougholdcrow says though, no doctor has ever shown any concern or mentioned it in my case, even though the radiologists point it out on scans.
0 -
My oncologist retired and I saw a new oncologist today. I really liked her and I hope she sticks around. We did a 6 months plan. She stopped a zometa because the recent studies do not show a benifit of more then once a year at this time. We reviewed plans going forward. She ordered a Guardant360 for a baseline. I was diagnosed over 2 years ago and never had one. She also felt that since my scans show NED it might be a good indicator to see if cancer is hiding any where that scan could miss. We also talked about why I was 2 weeks on 2 weeks off Ibrance. There were 2 reason. She wants to try 5 days on 2 days off. One because my oncologist at my original facility said that was my only option because I kept getting sinus infections due to low neutrophils and second because when I suggested 5 on 2 off no one of my ever heard of it. I think there was also some concern that I had my knee replacement in January 2024 and they wanted to keep my neutrophils above 1.0 as much as they could. It was interesting to hear the differences. She does not like the 2 week break and feels that I should have more success this way. I feel like my mind is in overload. She was also more blunt in talking about the future. Not pessimistic but honest. I have found some Drs. don't want to treat me because I have cancer and others seem to avoid the hard talk. She was very upfront which I appreciate.
4 -
My neutrophils are finally high enough to restart Ibrance at 75mg. I have been off for 2 weeks
1 -
Hopefully that will get better. I am 2 weeks on 2 off. Before I was 3 weeks on 2 weeks of. I have a new oncologist and she said she has had a lot of success with 5 days on 2 days off. I will be starting that Monday.
2 -
@brutersmom thanks for sharing detsils of your meeting with the new Oncologist. I find your new treatment plan very interesting, especially the views on Zometa. I'm still on biannual infusions. Also, her successful experience with the 5/2days, compared the 2/2weeks? I pray it works well for you and look forward to your updates. I'm on my last Ibrance 100mg cycle. I say last because I'm no longer having good quality of life on it and will take up my oncologists previous suggestion to drop to 75mg which has only recently become available in Kenya.
@wren44 how long have you been on Ibrance 75mg? I hope it's going well for you. I'm hoping to drop to 75mg this month.
In other updates, this is my month for my Scan snd I've got scanxiety 🥶🥶😢😢.
Love and hugs to all on this wall ❤️🫂🙏
3 -
Rosebessie - Good luck with the scans - that anxiety is awful and I get it real badly too. I will be thinking of you for sure!
1 -
I’m going to be hanging around here and on the bone mets thread as I am a bit self conscious about a thread I started devoted to… me! I hate the spotlight and always have.
I started Ibrance, again, yesterday (100 mg). I have yet to complete a cycle due to the interruption from a minor surgery and then pelvic rads so never got as far as any blood work to check my counts (other than initial). I mentioned on the Faslodex thread that I ran away from my last loading dose, literally, so I have started Arimidex as an alternative. Pelvic rads have been rough for me. I am just so weak and uncomfortable, but they are done! Here’s hoping for improvement.
2 -
@exbrnxgrl-Welcome to the Ibrance dance. Hope your body heals from the effects of the radiation and that you have an easy time with Ibrance.
2 -
@exbrnxgrl best of luck w Ibrance! I’m six months in and have had no issues, but I also went very low carb (<50 net carbs a day), and that has helped w GI issues, as well as hot flashes. Keep us posted. Sending love and healing vibes
1 -
Thank you both! I am not a big carb eater in general but am still on a low dose of dexamethosone, which has me craving bread. I am starting to taper down on the dose so the carb cravings will hopefully go away. I am frustrated by the fact that I’ve started twice but have yet to finish a cycle. Third time…
2 -
Rosebessie, I’m on my first cycle at 75mg. I have been feeling more energy after a two week break. Best wishes for your scans. Last time I was anxious too
2 -
@exbrnxgrl welcome to the Ibrance community. I've been on Ibrance besrly 4.5 years now. I've been down with infections a few times but always picked up. I pray you have a smooth experience. @wren44 thanks for the good wishes. I'll update on the outcome of the scans.
Love and hugs to all 🙏🏻❤️🫂
2 -
I have been having pain in my breast cancer rib cage. Scans came back negative. I ask the oncologist about it and she sent me to a lymphodema specialist. Despite my efforts to control scar tissue I am going backwards. Started a new stretching program with the lymphodema specialist. She also evaluated my ability for my rib cage to expand. I had been told my feeling of being out of breath was from Ibrance. The therapist did a series of breathing test and said she believes the scaring is keeping my ribs from expanding properly and preventing my lung from from expanding. After 4 days of stretching I am amazed how much of a difference I felt at the gym today.
3 -
@brutersmom That's great news!
1 -
@exbrnxgrl, is your doc talking about adding XGeva to your plan? An added benefit of it is to make the bones less hospitable to Mets. That combined with the after effect of radiation could be really helpful. I hope Ibrance is easy on you.
I’m on two weeks/off two weeks due to extreme fatigue. I’m curious about this plan vs 5 days/2 day. Does anyone have a study to suggest?
it’s good to see many friends on the thread. I don’t get to the boards often between working full time and being a single mom to a now teenage son. But I think of you all the time and send thoughts for health and happiness.1 -
No, I did three or four years on Aredia, an older bisphosphonate that is not really used much. I have no desire to add any more meds to the stew and evidence on the use of bisphosphonates as helping bone mets is mixed. I did, finally, manage to complete a cycle on Ibrance. This is my off week and I will need a blood draw tomorrow. I do have shortness of breath and am fatigued. The diarrhea, which was bad, was taken care of by opioid pain relief. Every med seems to set off side effects requiring other meds and it has been really rough. I used to be able to take meds with no se’s but now everything seems to trigger another issue.
Mostly what I need is sleep. I ordered a new bed yesterday and eagerly await its arrival.
2 -
@exbrnxgrl Hang in there. I remember the fatigue being worse the first 3 months on Ibrance. You are also recovering from that intense radiation. Hope you enjoy your new bed!
2
