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Kisqali side effect issues
I am NED since October 13,2025. HR+ HER2 low High risk. I am currently on Anastrozole and Kisqali. Have been on them since December of 2025. Has anyone had side effects like there are lots of needles poking your face or other skin areas? Low white blood counts? Feeling foggy and tired and bloated? Please tell me I’m not imagining or maybe it’s something else.
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My breast oncologist recently suggested Verzenio which is a "twin" to Kisqali (as per her information).
I am on Exemestane (my 3rd aromatase inhibitor, suffering severe headaches from the AIs, my only treatment post BM) and she wants to add Verzenio to "cover all my bases". I am thinking about it but want another opinion first. This medication, like yours, has some serious side effects so my sense is you are not imagining anything!
To me, she mentioned low white blood counts (suspectable to infections), low red blood counts (anemia, fatigue, brain fog) plus severe diarrhea. No question there are lots more. She is really pushing this medication on me.
I have no further info for you but I believe I can safely say everything you are feeling IS a side effect of Kisqali.
All the best to you!
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2 Reactions@briarrose I’m on Anastrozole and don’t notice any side effects. Maybe I have them but my rheumatoid arthritis masks them. Idk. I don’t know what I should feel like. All I know is I don’t remember what I used to feel like before all this stuff started.
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1 ReactionI am taking letrozole (2.5 mg/day) and Kisqali (400 mg/ day) 3 weeks on, one week off. I’ve been on Kisqali for a year now, and most of the side effects have drastically subsided (this probably took 6 months) with the exception of the brain fog (that is still lingering). Taking both meds in the morning has helping my sleep patterns. Blood work is decent, lower counts here and there but am told they are in good range. I am exercising an hour every day in the pool to help with joint pain and stiffness, also my lifestyle medicine oncologist prescribed naltrexone compound through Mayo pharmacy to help with some of the side effects (among other benefits!). She also has inspired me to move towards a plant-based diet (which I haven’t perfected but paving forward!) Lastly I am starting strength training since my estrogen and progesterone are no more. This podcast was a good resource to understand the science behind the need for strength training for women in menopause https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-mel-robbins-podcast/id1646101002 Prayers for strength and guidance along your journey. You are not alone!