Deciding whether to go on abemaciclib (brand name Verzenio)

Thank you @anjalima for your kind words. I glad your are tolerating the Anastrozole well too. Trying to decide what meds to try and what test to takes sometimes seems one of hardest part of this breast cancer journey. I was suppose to have my first infusion with Zometa in April, but because of the heart palpitations from the Verzenio it was postponed until August. Then I got Covid for a second time even though I had been vaccinated and boosted plus having it in April which moved the date to September. In September the night before the infusion one of my crowns broke so it has again been postponed till January while I get dental work done. I'm starting to think the universe is against me having the Zometa. But I truly think the pros in my case outweighs the cons, so I'll probably try again. None of these decision are easy but it really helps to have the input from all the fellow warriors.

One of the questions I would ask my doctor before taking this drug if I was not MBC, goes kind of like this.
What is the benefit of taking this drug now, versus keeping it in the toolbox in case I have a relapse?
This question is probably colored by my own breast cancer journey, but also my journey with family members and other cancers. If there is a significant benefit to preventing a relapse then maybe there is good value to that. But this is a pretty big tool in the box for MBC, and if we use it now, will it still work if I do relapse.
These are just questions I might ask my doctor, I don’t have any of the answers. Does this sound reasonable to anyone else here considering this drug without MBC?

I’m not considering this drug although it has been offered. I’m not MBC and hope never to be but I squeak in at the far end of a 20% KI 67 requirement ( I am KI 67 -22%) to be offered this drug and so it was offered. I’m 72 next Saturday and have ONCOTYPE s 20 and 14 ( two tumors) which takes KI67 into account along with 13 other characteristics of the tumor.

I was disturbed when I read about the very scary side effects and had a repeat conversation with the oncologist once I knew more about it. It’s newly approved by FDA for non MBC … a year this month!
I’m going to post an article I read about it which put me in the no thank you category ( for my particular profile). That said, at the end of my second conversation with O she said, “ Also, IF GOD FORBID you had a future MBC you would not have this available as a tool in that arena. Once in a lifetime treatment option.”

I suppose that could change over time but this is how it is being looked at now. Of course , one would prefer to PREVENT a relapse! It’s all very difficult to know the perfect decision.

I try to make my decisions with the best possible considerations and let go… but I find the letting go part difficult at times ( like when I’m offered a new med!)

Journey On Warriors 🌸

Have estrogen positive her2 negative breast cancer. I have been in anastrozole for about a year. Had a follow up appt with hematology doc. They are asking me taking verzenio fir 3 years on top of what I am taking now since the fda has approved. Has any one been asked to take this?

I chose not to take any hormone therapy but are you considered at high risk for recurrence, if so it's been approved for patients who are considered at high risk of recurrence and node positive breast cancer.

I’m not at high risk. Thanks

Why did you chose not to take hormone therapy? Curious

Can you explain why they asked you to take this as well as anastrozole if you don’t have advanced cancer or a high risk for recurrence?

Hi @chickenmom10

I take Kisqali for MBC (2.5 years so far). The other two choices were ibrance and Verzenio. My oncologist said Kisqali has the best track record for longevity (at least it did 2.5 years ago, not sure if new results are out). Even though they are all similar, there are slight differences so they each cause slightly different side effects. I know of someone that took Verzenio and had horrible diarrhea from it. I've also read lots of reviews on drugs.com that said the same. That would be my concern with that one. That's a big quality of life issue to me so that would be my last choice of the 3 meds.

From the Verzenio website: Diarrhea is common with Verzenio, may sometimes be severe and may cause dehydration or infection. The most common time to develop diarrhea is during the first month of Verzenio treatment. If you develop diarrhea during treatment with Verzenio, your healthcare provider may tell you to temporarily stop taking it, stop your treatment, or decrease your dose.

The other two meds have their own list of side effects. Kisqali can cause a dangerous heart rhythm which I actually had the first week so we had to stop and reduce the dose. Only 4% of patients get that with Kisqali though, but something to watch for.

I took verzenio but had to stop after 40 days because of horrible side effects and diarrhea. I asked my oncologist to do something, and she insisted I stay on the drug. She did not seem to understand how sick I was.
I finally stopped on my own after 40 days because of all the side effects.
Do I think I should have been put on a lower dose in the beginning ,probably?
I am still on the estrogen blocker, but no chemo pill.
I now have to take a blood thinner because the verzeino caused blood clots in my lungs.
Even though I took the Verzenio for such a short time, it quieted cancer in my lungs.
So Verzenio is a great drug if you can tolerate the side effects
I am due for another Pet Scan at the end of July to see if I am still ok.