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Ibrance and Letrozole: Newly Diagnosed Treatment

Posted by sharonyb4000 @sharonyb4000, Sep 30, 2021

Hello,
My name is Sharon, I am 56 years old, and I have recently been diagnose with IDC Breast cancer the has spread to my lymph nodes and metastasized to various areas (Rib, sternum, spine, and iliac bone). Apparently I am one of the 6% of women who receive this type of diagnosed with no previous cancer diagnosis. I was completely overwhelmed when I received these diagnoses from all the scans, tests, and biopsies. So now I am learning how to live with an advanced diagnoses and my oncologist started me on Letrozole and Ibrance to slow the progression of my cancer. Does anyone have experience with this treatment?

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anjalima | @anjalima | Dec 14, 2022
In reply to @patclem "Sorry about your diagnosis. Prayers for you. My diagnosis was HER2 breast cancer. Underwent chemo, after..." + (show)
@patclem

Sorry about your diagnosis. Prayers for you. My diagnosis was HER2 breast cancer. Underwent chemo, after about 6 weeks underwent lumpectomy, then after about 3-4 weeks started on IV infusion of medication to keep cancer from recurring. Unfortunately, I had to quit the treatment due to extreme neuropathy. Now they want me start Letrozole, which I have yet to start taking due to side effects. Still on the fence about it.

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Not everyone has side effects. I’m in month 8 of Anastrozole, was afraid of side effects too. I have no obvious side effects beyond mild joint discomfort which immediately resolved with stretching and exercise. It’s a daily pill so it can be stopped at any time if side effects are too difficult.

There are unseen side effects, like potential hyperlipidemia and or mineral bone density loss but again, not everyone has that. I am using mitigating strategies to reduce opportunities for bone loss.

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sallymayo22 | @sallymayo22 | Dec 17, 2022
In reply to @joiful "Not sure where I fit into this. I am 79 years old. In April, I was..." + (show)
@joiful

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?

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I’m 72 now, breast cancer at 26, MBC at 60, and was on Letrozole for 10 years keeping cancer at bay. I asked to “Take a break” as the neuropathy and bone pain was really getting to me.
A scan 3 months later showed that the localized tumor in my sternum had spread to my liver — oncologist put me right back on Letrozole. A full PET scan done a month later showed metastasis to spine and ribs.
So, off the Letrozole and now on Ibrance pills and and Fasodex and Xgeva infusions once a month.
It was tough getting started: the neuropathy came back with a vengeance and every other side effect at least once. But my energy is coming back, I walk at least 2 miles a day. I’m dealing with the neuropathy using better daily foot care and a good pair of flexible sole shoes and good fitting orthotics.
I was also put on Gabapentin ramping up to a higher dose, not sure yet if it’s doing any good for the feet
I was glad to hear from other 70+ gals. We’re all different but our struggles unite us and there are a myriad new effective treatments with fewer side affects.
Carry On!

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sunflower3100 | @sunflower3100 | Jan 22, 2023
In reply to @eku "I have MBC and I'm on verzenio and anastrozole. My Dr doesn't check for the size..." + (show)
@eku

I have MBC and I'm on verzenio and anastrozole. My Dr doesn't check for the size of my breast tumor. Is it common with MBC folks? Should I request that?

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Having MBC moves you into a new tribe...This tribe does not have to be physically monitored. Your disease is considered wide spread and you doctor will monitor tumor response with blood tests and scans. If you feel growth or see something that make you feel suspicious that the cancer is responding negatively to treatment tell him you would like him to check...otherwise don't feel like you are not being monitored...you are...you are just in a new tribe and your cancer is monitored differently. We are the warriors not just the survivors.

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1 reply
eku | @eku | Jan 22, 2023
In reply to @sunflower3100 "Having MBC moves you into a new tribe...This tribe does not have to be physically monitored...." + (show)
@sunflower3100

Having MBC moves you into a new tribe...This tribe does not have to be physically monitored. Your disease is considered wide spread and you doctor will monitor tumor response with blood tests and scans. If you feel growth or see something that make you feel suspicious that the cancer is responding negatively to treatment tell him you would like him to check...otherwise don't feel like you are not being monitored...you are...you are just in a new tribe and your cancer is monitored differently. We are the warriors not just the survivors.

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Thank you @sunflower3100! I appreciate your response. In the meantime, I asked my oncologist if I could get an ultrasound to check if my original tumor has shrunk or not -in the hopes of getting some good news- and she said no. Then I received a call from the hospital to schedule for a mammogram, and I said no.
In another thread, a lady wrote about meeting people with MBC who lived 5-20 years. Off I go to find it...

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