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Ibrance and Letrozole: Newly Diagnosed Treatment
Breast Cancer | Last Active: Jan 22, 2023 | Replies (104)Comment receiving replies
Hello, thank you for checking on me. I have experienced some difficulties adjusting to my treatments. My Oncologist started me on Letrozole and Ibrance 125 mg. Although the side effects started almost immediately. For example, nausea, loss of appetite, and a rash on my neck and my hands have painful red splotches. But the worst side effect was the drop in my blood counts (Neutropenia). So he stopped the dosage for two weeks and started me on the lower dose of Ibrance 100 mg. I go for my follow up visit next week. It took longer for the side effects to start due to the lower dosage, but it’s the same story but in addition, I have headaches, constipation, and hiccups. I’m sure he will stop the medication again after my blood test results and we may have to find another option. I also have to have to MRI’s due to pain in my back. I’m not sure if I am ready for those results. Now please do not think I’m complaining, I’ve just had a rough time. I still drive an hour to and from work everyday, but I have missed days because I was feeling so bad. I take things one day at a time and thank God for my blessings. On a more positive note, I was able to participate in the Susan G Komen walk in Miami a couple of weeks ago, and raised almost $1000 towards Breast Cancer Research. So I’m grateful for the victories. I am learning to find my balance since my diagnosis and I am committed to helping others go for their check ups and value their health. ☺️
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You are the very definition of a cancer warrior. I am not talking about kicking cancer kind of warrior, but the ability to go on living to the best of your ability in spite of it kind of bravery.
There are other combinations of drugs that your doctor may choose, to hopefully give you less trouble. I don’t think you are complaining, if you can’t talk about the hard things here, then where? Because Oh my goodness the hiccups! I have that too, I have been living with them long enough to learn how to make them go away but they are certainly distracting. Lol. I also have to care for my bowels daily with Mira lax every night or pay the consequences.
I hope you are finding time to cherish yourself a bit, be gentle with yourself, you are going through a lot. I remember feeling like I had to do everything, like I could outrun it, but I kind of wish I had slowed down a bit and enjoyed my journey a bit more during that time.
Please come back and let me know how you are doing, I think about you often. When is your MRI?