Bone Mets Thread
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@norah2024 I’m glad you saw another oncologist for a second opinion. I feel that you will be ok to take the 10 mg every other day, rather than breaking it in half. My Verzenio is delivered in boxes of set amount of tablets and the instructions are very specific that the pill should never be split in half under any circumstances.. Your new Oncologist’s suggestion of every other day should be fine because these medications stay in your bloodstream at levels which fight the cancer and he’s watching your blood liver enzymes while you are on the every other day dose. I have had times when my own oncologist had me on a week off due to illness once and when taking antibiotics for a tooth abcess.. These temporary breaks due to special circumstances at the oncologist directions are normal sometimes and don’t seem to interfere with their efficacy and effectiveness against cancer..Take a deep breath and say a little prayer from your heart and trust that all will be well and your second oncologist will know how to treat these new issues by watching your bloodwork. Relax this evening and get some rest, girl.🩵🌷
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Thank you for this information.
After reading several responses, I have actually become convinced that splitting the pill is not a good idea.
I also feel very comfortable with my new doctor. He is very kind and even gave me his personal number in case I need anything urgent.
Stopping the medication has been a big relief for me, because it caused many side effects. So when I stopped it, I felt that I really needed some time to rest, and this is exactly what my new doctor advised.
Right now, the only thing bothering me is the unexplained fever that keeps happening, even though I am taking another course of antibiotics.
Thank you for your kind feelings—they truly reached me and comforted my heart 🧡
I will take a deep breath and say some of my prayers, where I always find peace whenever things become difficult.
Thank you for your kindness and for taking the time to reassure me. Your words truly mean a lot to me.🧡
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I have Stage IV breast cancer metastasized to my bones - hip, ribs, spine. My PET scan results just came in; my SUV in my hip has been increasing a little every 6 months; after surgery and Ibrance it went from 12 to 1, and has increased with each 6 month scan to 1.6, 2.8, 2.8, 3, 4.7, and now 6. Anyone have any experience with changing medications? I see my oncologist in a few days and he will tell me what it all means. Just wondering if anyone else has experienced having to change meds because scan results showed increasing cancer presence.
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@janedoe7 Treatments are becoming more targeted to specific mutations (ie. ESR1, PIK3), so it will depend on tests your oncologist will order (ie. Signatera, biopsy).
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Jane, it’s pretty common to change medications. I’m on my 3rd.
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My situation is not the same as yours, but I’ll share my experience in case it helps or gives some insight into why doctors decided to change the medication.
During the PET scan that I used to have every three months, the uptake was not increasing; in fact, it was decreasing. However, what kept rising steadily every month were the tumor markers (CA 15-3). This left my doctor quite puzzled and led me to undergo many additional tests.
Eventually, the last scan showed disease progression in the tibia bone and some lymph nodes.
At that point, my doctor decided to change my first-line treatment, which was Kisqali and Faslodex. I had been on it for only one year and three months, and it was replaced with Afinitor and Exemestane.
I hope sharing my experience is helpful in some way.
I wish you healing and that things go well for you. 🌿
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Thank you all. I saw my oncologist yesterday. Screening a blood sample for genetic markers to determine what course might be best when it comes time to change medications. 3 excellent years on Ibrance and Fulvestrant/Faslodex + Xgeva, and only in year 4 have the cancer cells started a work around. Still good to go on current meds, but we are monitoring more often, PET Scan every 3 months, cancer antigen marker every month. I am also scheduling a meeting with an oral surgeon with experience with Xgeva patients at risk for / experiencing ONJ, and am off Xgeva until I have a jaw scan and clearance to continue Xgeva, which because it promotes growth of healthy bone cells makes it more difficult for cancer cells to grow in the bones. I also have TMJ, and that could be the source of soreness in my jaw. Feels good to be taking steps, participating in my own health care and decisionmaking.
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@janedoe7 I hope your condition remains stable for a long long time.
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U@janedoe7 it sound like you’ve had a good 4 yr run on the treatment you were on. I have been the same. 3 yrs on Verzenio Falsodex and XGeva. I hope this will continue to last longer for me . I too, am afraid uncomfortable having to change my whole treatment routine. From what I’ve read here this happens to many and they do adjust and get through the change of treatment and continue to do well. I’m saying a little breath prayer for you and hope you have a peaceful and calm day in in heart and mind.🩵🌷
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Hi all. Just wondering if anyone here is taking just the prolia dose vs the xgeva strength for bones?
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