1. < Breast Cancer

Deciding whether to go on abemaciclib (brand name Verzenio)

Posted by slapshotmary @slapshotmary, Dec 27, 2021

Hi everyone and thank you for my membership. I was diagnosed with stage III breast cancer and just finished all my treatments which included 20 cycles of chemo, 6 weeks of radiation every day and since October 22 anastrozole. During my last visit my oncologist wanted to put me on abemaciclib; however, I looked at the research and I don't seem to fit the targeted group. My last mammogram was good. It was approved by the FDA in October 2021. Any suggestions? I do have severe asthma.

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chickenmom10 | @chickenmom10 | Jun 29, 2023
In reply to @auntieoakley "Can you explain why they asked you to take this as well as anastrozole if you..." + (show)
@auntieoakley

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?

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I believe, since March of 2023 the FDA approved this drug for cancer. I’m thinking that the pharmaceutical companies will get a kick back from the doctors who prescribe this medicine. Maybe some of us need it due to high reoccurrence of breast cancer. Which is good thing but some of might. I am going to opt out of taking this drug. And infection is another issue. I have animals and getting a scarp from them would be a bad thing. Thanks for all of your input. Helped me decide.

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frogjumper | @frogjumper | Jun 29, 2023
In reply to @chickenmom10 "Why did you chose not to take hormone therapy? Curious" + (show)
@chickenmom10

Why did you chose not to take hormone therapy? Curious

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In my particular case it had little benefit vs the risks. The below were my numbers based on 10 years of therapy for 15 year overall survival. It was an easy decision for me on that one. I used this calculator

https://breast.predict.nhs.uk/tool

+ Hormone therapy 1.4% (0.4% – 1.6%)

Hope that helps 🙂

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2 replies
chickenmom10 | @chickenmom10 | Jun 29, 2023
In reply to @chickenmom10 "Have estrogen positive her2 negative breast cancer. I have been in anastrozole for about a year...." + (show)
@chickenmom10

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?

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Thank for that website.

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salamander | @salamander | Jun 30, 2023
In reply to @chickenmom10 "Why did you chose not to take hormone therapy? Curious" + (show)
@chickenmom10

Why did you chose not to take hormone therapy? Curious

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That was my question also @frogjumper

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salamander | @salamander | Jun 30, 2023
In reply to @frogjumper "In my particular case it had little benefit vs the risks. The below were my numbers..." + (show)
@frogjumper

In my particular case it had little benefit vs the risks. The below were my numbers based on 10 years of therapy for 15 year overall survival. It was an easy decision for me on that one. I used this calculator

https://breast.predict.nhs.uk/tool

+ Hormone therapy 1.4% (0.4% – 1.6%)

Hope that helps 🙂

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I wish it was that simple.
Could you tell me what your specific diagnosis is?
Mine says no hormone therapy either but then why do all medical oncologists recommend it pretty strongly? Confused.

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2 replies
salamander | @salamander | Jun 30, 2023
In reply to @salamander "I wish it was that simple. Could you tell me what your specific diagnosis is? Mine..." + (show)
@salamander

I wish it was that simple.
Could you tell me what your specific diagnosis is?
Mine says no hormone therapy either but then why do all medical oncologists recommend it pretty strongly? Confused.

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This might be for @frogjumper or @chickenmom10
I am not sure who sent the link for percentage of recurrance and percentage link?

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vicsmit | @vicsmit | Jul 1, 2023
In reply to @chickenmom10 "Have estrogen positive her2 negative breast cancer. I have been in anastrozole for about a year...." + (show)
@chickenmom10

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?

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I was first diagnosed with HR+HER2- bc in 2018. Double mastectomy, chemo and radiation after which I was prescribed Anastrozole. My onco was persistent about getting me into a Kisqali (Ribociclib) study for women in my situation (high risk but no metastis) that I hesitantly signed up for. In 2021 I had eye infections in both eyes, 6 months apart, that left permanent ulcers on my corneas so am now legally blind. I have been fitted with scleral lenses that really help with vision but have lots of issues themselves. I immediately stopped taking the Kisqali after the 2nd infection. Unfortunately I was diagnosed with stage 4 metastatic bc in Dec 2022 and started a regimen of Fasoldex, Xgeva and Verzenio in January 2023. Diarrhea with the Verzenio has been problematic. More bad news this June, a pet scan showed the Verzenio was no longer effective at keeping the cancerous cells in my lung at bay so I am being scheduled for chemo treatment using Abraxane with the hopes this will keep the cancer from advancing. All this to say if your cancer is not metastatic and you are not high risk, my personal feeling is to not add the risk of infection and side effects of Verzenio or any similar drug.

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2 replies
Zebra | @californiazebra | Jul 1, 2023
In reply to @vicsmit "I was first diagnosed with HR+HER2- bc in 2018. Double mastectomy, chemo and radiation after which..." + (show)
@vicsmit

I was first diagnosed with HR+HER2- bc in 2018. Double mastectomy, chemo and radiation after which I was prescribed Anastrozole. My onco was persistent about getting me into a Kisqali (Ribociclib) study for women in my situation (high risk but no metastis) that I hesitantly signed up for. In 2021 I had eye infections in both eyes, 6 months apart, that left permanent ulcers on my corneas so am now legally blind. I have been fitted with scleral lenses that really help with vision but have lots of issues themselves. I immediately stopped taking the Kisqali after the 2nd infection. Unfortunately I was diagnosed with stage 4 metastatic bc in Dec 2022 and started a regimen of Fasoldex, Xgeva and Verzenio in January 2023. Diarrhea with the Verzenio has been problematic. More bad news this June, a pet scan showed the Verzenio was no longer effective at keeping the cancerous cells in my lung at bay so I am being scheduled for chemo treatment using Abraxane with the hopes this will keep the cancer from advancing. All this to say if your cancer is not metastatic and you are not high risk, my personal feeling is to not add the risk of infection and side effects of Verzenio or any similar drug.

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Wow @vicsmit that is a lot of difficult news for you. That's a good reminder that some of the side effects of these meds are not minor. So sorry to hear about your eyes and the MBC. I pray the chemo is tolerable and does its job.

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1 reply
frogjumper | @frogjumper | Jul 1, 2023
In reply to @salamander "I wish it was that simple. Could you tell me what your specific diagnosis is? Mine..." + (show)
@salamander

I wish it was that simple.
Could you tell me what your specific diagnosis is?
Mine says no hormone therapy either but then why do all medical oncologists recommend it pretty strongly? Confused.

Jump to this post

Mine was Stage 1, low grade, 1.3 cm tumor, clear margins, no lymph nodes. Why do they recommend it to everyone I have no idea. It's probably standard of care so it's one size fits all maybe?

REPLY
chickenmom10 | @chickenmom10 | Jul 1, 2023
In reply to @vicsmit "I was first diagnosed with HR+HER2- bc in 2018. Double mastectomy, chemo and radiation after which..." + (show)
@vicsmit

I was first diagnosed with HR+HER2- bc in 2018. Double mastectomy, chemo and radiation after which I was prescribed Anastrozole. My onco was persistent about getting me into a Kisqali (Ribociclib) study for women in my situation (high risk but no metastis) that I hesitantly signed up for. In 2021 I had eye infections in both eyes, 6 months apart, that left permanent ulcers on my corneas so am now legally blind. I have been fitted with scleral lenses that really help with vision but have lots of issues themselves. I immediately stopped taking the Kisqali after the 2nd infection. Unfortunately I was diagnosed with stage 4 metastatic bc in Dec 2022 and started a regimen of Fasoldex, Xgeva and Verzenio in January 2023. Diarrhea with the Verzenio has been problematic. More bad news this June, a pet scan showed the Verzenio was no longer effective at keeping the cancerous cells in my lung at bay so I am being scheduled for chemo treatment using Abraxane with the hopes this will keep the cancer from advancing. All this to say if your cancer is not metastatic and you are not high risk, my personal feeling is to not add the risk of infection and side effects of Verzenio or any similar drug.

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Wow. I’m so sorry to hear about your difficulties. I will also pray for you that you have a better outcome with your chemo treatment.

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