Ibrance and Letrozole: Newly Diagnosed Treatment

I am unsure if any of our members are on this exact combination of medications. Although most of us are not initially diagnosed with MBC, it is devastating no matter how or when you receive it. That being said there is time now, and tools in the box to treat that we did not have even 10 years ago, I for one am truly grateful. I know you can receive help and support here on connect. You might ask your questions and converse with members on the MBC page.

Hi Sharon, my name is LeeAnn. I am 55 years old and last year June 2020, I was diagnosed with IDC, left breast tumour, in the nodes with metastasis to hips, sternum, rob, femur. 12 months earlier my mammogram was all clear. I had no prior cancer diagnosis so like
You, the first diagnosis was MBC. I am on Kisqali and Anastrozole, different meds than you but both are in the same
Family as yours. I am one year and a bit now ans all the lesions have been “metabolically resolved” meaning I am not cancer free as with MBC we will
Never be, but there is no active cancer currently in my body. The combination of these meds, like
The combination of yours, are showing great results on treatment for cancer like ours and there are more drugs being developed all the time. It seems like you are on a good treatment plan that I am hopeful will
Give good results as it did for me. One thing they told me was to wait 6 no the after starting treatment before another scan as these meds are slower acting. So 6 months after starting my scan (which I was terrified for) showed that the meds were making an impact! I wish the same
For you Sharon!!! Keep us posted, stay well and stay positive!

Thank you I appreciate your response!

Thank you so much for sharing. I am encouraged by your report, and very happy for your progress. Our diagnosis is very overwhelming and not feeling alone and isolated gives me peace. My next scan will be in January, so I’m hoping for the best.

Not sure where I fit into this. I am 79 years old. In April, I was diagnosed with IDC in my right breast and ILC in my left breast. Had bilateral lumpectomies in early July. As well as capsulectomies and reconstruction at the same time. Yesterday I completed the last of five consecutive radiation treatments. My oncologist suggested I start Letrozole Nov 1, allowing my body some healing time. I begin a PT regime next week, with the hope that additional exercise will offset the possible tiredness and bone loss side effects, as well as possible depression. I think the positives of Letrozole (keeping cancer at bay and keeping me alive!!) will/do outweigh the possible side effects. I usually walk 2.5 - 5 miles a day, most days. Strength training will aid this - I hope! Does anyone have experience with Letrozole that they're willing to share?

I took letrozole (I took brand name Femara) for 5 years and didn't have any big problems. Hot flashes at first. Any pain resolved if I walked more then 20 minutes. People with side effects tend to post more than those who did fine. Good luck!

I take Lextrozole and Ibrance. Been taking it for a year now. So far so good.

I just read an article about this and it was very hopeful. There is another combo with letrozole trials as well. A very promising new way of looking at MBC.

Thank you for your feedback and encouragement. I walk between 2.5 - 5 miles a day, most days. Will start PT tomorrow. Eating healthily and drinking plenty of water. Doing all I know to do to prepare and have a successful outcome.

I wish you well. Thankfully, my IDC and ILC were both contained, and no lymph node involvement.