Abemaciclib Verzenio for Stage IV

@marcials1 , i cant believe it. I replied to your message same day but when I tried to save it, it just disappeared 😢😢. I just checked again and its nowhere to be seen.

Anyway, im feeling better now. I increased my Asthma inhaler dose and that seemed to solve the cough problem. You see out here in Nairobi we're in our cold season, which to you guys translates to a mild Spring season. I think i was a bit exposed and my chest is still delicate after the botched mastectomy/reconstruction of March followed by a repeat surgery in May. But its all good now.

This discussion group represents MBC treatment experience and knowledge that is invaluable. I think our Oncologists would learn so much if they were a fly on our discussion wall.

Sending love ❤️ and hugs 🫂 to all.

hi @Rosebessie! I did get your message on Aug 12. I planned to reply today and just saw your second message. How is the cough now? Still inder control? Glad you talked with your onc about it. I slip in a greasy breakfast once in awhile too! The meds I am on now (Xeloda) cause crazy stomach issues which are random and come & go. I really hope Verzenio works long term for you. I found that taking it exactly or as close to exactly the same time did help also.

I agree the discussion groups on breastcancer.org are game changers for us. And you have such a good point that oncologists would benefit greatly if they read our stories and comments. What a great idea! But I am sure they are all too busy. Which is a shame because we end up getting slighted by them. Hope all continues on the best possible road for you!

Love and hugs to you in Nairobi!

@eddiej - My Verzenio pills are 100 mg which I take twice a day.

@eddiej - I stopped Verzenio last December, but when I took it I initially did 150 2X a day, and then after about 5 months, the dose was lowered to 100 2X a day. Hope this helps. Good luck!

Hi @candy-678 I follow this thread, although I’m no longer taking Verzenio. It was my first line of treatment and I lasted for I think a year and a half on it. After getting the major side effects under control, I was actually feeling ok but my cancer mutated and I had to go onto the next line of treatment. I started at 150 but went diwn to 100 which made all the difference in the world. It sounds like the other medication you are taking throws a whole other snag into it regarding timing and meal requirements. I wish you the absolute best. And thanks for the warning about Enhurtu. I think I am beyond that line of treatment, but good to know!

@seeq thanks for the tip. Ill have a word with my Oncologist this week and see if the Fluconase can help with my nose. I think there's something going on in there because it feels dry, irritated and sore every morning when I wake up. The irritation causes mucus accumulation which forces me to blow my nose, from which I see little drops of blood on the tissue. Tge experience is not overwhelming in any way but because foreign to my body, I just want to get rid of it. May our @going2beatthis Fay's blessed soul continue to rest in eternal peace. She had such a lovely presence 😍 💕 💖

@marcials1 My prayers are with you. Sending you love and hugs ❤️🙏🏻👍 @candy-678 Welcome the world of Verzenio world and may your journey on this road be a smooth one. So glad you've got it under control so far.

Hi all, Just finishing my second week on Verzenio. The first week was great and silly me thought this will be a breeze. The second week, not so much. Interestingly, I only had one bad episode with Big D that I blame myself for not being prepared- I got cocky. 🤷‍♀️🤪 Multi-symp Imodium does the trick.

However, for the past 2-3 days, I am being plagued with serious fatigue most of the day. It comes on like an hr after the morning pill. I lose all incentive to do anything and I find myself napping on and off all day if I have nothing to do. I have an aft wedding tomorrow - I’m hoping the prep and being with friends all afternoon and evening will keep me going 🤞. I also am finding that I get serious low blood sugar symptoms - shakiness and hunger pangs- if I haven’t eaten in a few hours. I have to start eating little meals rather than just lunch and dinner I think.

Am I alone with these side effects? I see my MO on Tues so will be asking him and team as well. Just wondering…. Praying these se’s disappear with time 🙏

Hope everyone is having a lovely Saturday night!

@eddiej Hi - ditto what @threetree said! I started at 150 and went to 100 pretty quick. I was on Verzenio for about 1 and a half years. I eat probiotic greek yogurt also and drink kamboucha every few days. Did on Verzenio and continue now on Xeloda. I had pretty much gotten the big D under control and was settled into a routine. My cancer then mutated and I had to move on. Hope you can stay on Verzenio and it works well for you.

@eddiej dancing fool here too! Not good at all but used to be fun! I never had the lung issues but I know many did. Glad you are reaching out to MO & pulmonologist. Hope you get answers fast!

I have been on Verzenio since I was diagnosed on 9-11-25. The only side effect I have is diarrhea. Then I take Loperamide to control it. Besides that I stay in pain 24/7 from the top of my neck to my lower back. I am unable to stand no longer than 10 minutes then I have to sit down.

@cancersept2025 have you had this pain since being on Verzenio? I haven’t been on it for over a year. I only had the diarrhea and other small side effects. Definitely no pain. Where are your mets? Are they in your spine? I feel like you really need to talk to your oncologist about this.

Hi @Verzenio ladies, im just completing month 3 on Verzenio and ive learnt some good lessons. Main one is that i must be humble with this drug or else it will humble me big time. You see, I was also being very cocky, thinking ive got it figured out. Today I got a massive bout of good old D, im learning the hard way that this ride has some major speed bumps along the way. LOL!! And the nausea, fatigue, bloating etc persist altho i keep them in check with the various meds. @moderators, Ref our Monday meeting, I'll restart the conversation about lowering my dose when I next see my MO. These side effects have overwhelmed me this week.

@Rosebessie - Oh Rosebessie, I'm real sorry about your situation and I understand your dilemma, but unfortunately, I don't have any info/advice to offer. Drug interactions are of real concern to me too. I never needed to take an antibiotic the whole time I was taking Verzenio. I do know that a lot of other drugs affect the CYP34A processing, and it just might depend on which ones. I think with some the intereaction is more likely and stronger than with others; I just of course have no idea which ones. I would think that the doctor would have taken all of this into consideration when he said he felt it was OK for you to take both together.

I'm crossing my fingers that someone "in the know" comes along and helps you out here. Feel better soon!

Hi @Rosebessie I had to take an antibiotic when I was on Verzenio.

I was told by my oncologist to stop the Verzenio while I was on the antibiotic. I did stop and also did a no-no and quit my antibiotic after five or six days. And I went back on the Verzenio.

I’m sorry, this is probably not helpful but it is my experience. I hope you figure out what works for you and I would maybe check with another oncologist for a second opinion?

@Rosebessie Hi afain!
I decided to go off my antibiotics because it was a seven day prescription and after three days I had been feeling like it wasn’t the right thing for me to be taking. The antibiotic was more as a precaution for a bladder infection. I went in for some additional testing I forgot what it was called. In any case I still have on & off bladder issues related to my metastasis. I just went with my gut feeling and knowing my body. But if I actually had a definitive UTI or bladder infection, I would’ve stayed on the antibiotics. But my oncologist, like I said, told me not to take Verzenio the at the same time. Also, I do not remember what antibiotic I was on. Sorry I’m probably not much help.