Metastatic Breast Cancer treatment options

Going to another Dr Wed that is more of a specialist in mBC. I'm trying to go with an open mind and want to establish a plan at least an AI and see how I ca tolerate that. Thank you for your thoughts.

@junec
Good for you! If one A1 doesn't work for you, don't be shy about asking to switch to another one. I started with anastrozole, then tried letrozole, but finally was switched to exemestane and have been on that without many problems. What doesn't work for one patient may be better for another. It's okay to ask questions and switch if need be. All the best to you.

I was diagnosed with lobular breast cancer in March 2018. I went through chemo treatments, a mastectomy of the left breast and radiation treatments. My other breast (right breast) was removed in November 2019. I have recently learned that my cancer metastasized to additional lymph nodes and my bone marrow. My doctor put me on IBrance and Faslodex a couple months ago. My side-effects are fatigue and occasionally an upset stomach. I consider myself lucky. I thought my hair was thinning but my hair dresser assured me that it's not -- she should know. I try to go about my normal activities (I'm 71 years old) but I did hire a cleaning service for once-a-month. It sure helps to have that service. My husband and I are planning a trip to Florida later this winter. We've always traveled and I'm determined for us to continue to do that. My immune system was low at first but the blood numbers look better now. I continue to have hope that this treatment regiment works. My health care team is Mayo Clinic and I have a lot of confidence in all of them. Through this all I strengthened my faith and am now attending a Bible church. A lot of my friends and relatives are prayer warriors for me. I totally believe that their prayers are helping a lot. I'm glad to have found this group. I know all of you understand because you're going through the same thing.🙏

I happened across your post from October and hope you are doing well. I've been on Ibrance with Letrozole since June 2019 and never had any side effects from the Ibrance (no nausea). I've only recently (Jan 2021) had my neutrophils drop to the bottom of the "average" range, not the range they need to be concerned with yet. I've also always been on 125 mg which they can lower if you do have side effects and I've heard it is just as effective. The letrozole (estrogen blocker) caused me thinning hair and some joint aches but the aches have gotten less as time has gone by.
Peggie

Actually I posted today. I am still on 100 mg of IBrance. If they increase it to 125 mg, I'm not sure if I will have any worse side affects. So far I'm pleased that I'm doing pretty well. I'm glad you're doing ok. Breast cancer can be a rough ride at times!😟

mtt, I'm glad you are doing well. My understanding is the lower dosage works as well. I asked my Onc to lower my dosage to 100 just to see if it would boost my blood counts to more normal levels, but he won't. He says he uses the highest tolerable dosage and since I have no side-effects from the Ibrance he prefers to stick with 125. I lead a fairly slow life-style (baby sit grandkids) stay-at-home mom of 1 last "at-home" son (17 and a senior in H.S.) ....I'm 59 and was an older mom. I hike and that's where the aches start up. Mainly from the bone mets in my upper femurs and lesions on my sacrum and ilium. I've had to shorten the hikes or I get pretty stiff, from babying the legs I think. All in all I can't complain as things could be worse.
Nice talking with you.
Peggie

@mtt, I'd like to add my welcome. Congrats on hiring a cleaning service. More time to focus on the things you love to do. Traveling is something I love to do too, but it has been curtailed for the time being. Be sure to adopt safety measure when traveling during COVID, especially if you blood counts are lower due to treatment.

@mom23boys, I remember when I first saw your username I thought "what 23 boys? Is she a hockey coach?" Took me a while to figure out that your a mom to three boys, right? I'm glad you're still able to hike, albeit shorter routes.

Hi Colleen! Yes, I remember your response and I thought "yeah, I guess that could mean I'm a foster mom or coach". Glad to see you are still out here plugging along. I'm not around as much as I was after diagnosis (april 2019). It's nice to see familiar names and be able to chime in and maybe help some of the very new girls with their questions. I''m so fortunate to be doing good on the Ibrance, Letrozole, Xgeva combo as my first line of treatment. My youngest son will be graduating H.S. in May and is heading to College (a local one) with a full-tuition scholarship. That was one of my biggest concerns in the beginning; not being here to see him graduate. I'm also planning on jogging across the 60 year birthday line in September and breaking a sort of family curse. My mother died at 59 of lung cancer and my mother-in-law at 59 of breast cancer. 60 is important, but of course I plan on going much further.
You take care!!!! Peggie

Thank you for the welcome and advice on traveling.I will take the same precautions as I do at home. Last year we cancelled our trip to Florida and NC because of Covid. In the end we might have to cancel again. But how many years are we going to let this disease keep us from doing what we want to do. I think it would be good to get some vitamin D too and I don't get enough (except for a supplement) living in WI!🙄

Thank you so much for all information about the ibrance . I started on 125mg in March.I had my first breast cancer in 1996 went through chemo radiation and estrogen blockers . I’m 2014 breast cancer again had a double mastectomy no treatment. I’m 2021 had a T9 compression fracture In my spine and was diagnosed with stage 4 . It’s in a few bones . Tumor markers are way down. It’s sounds like you are doing really well on the ibrance . That’s always wonderful to hear..I also play golf snd walk but do get tired and have to rest a little more. Do you notice tiredness ?