Are you on Verzenio (abemaciclib)? How are you tolerating it?

I'm on Anastrozole plus Verzenio as I could not tolerate Letrozole nor Exemestane.
I did get diarrhea for the first two weeks or so, on and off from Verzenio, as my onco told me to take Immodium. Then my body got used to Verzenio and the diarrhea subsided. I did add a probiotic in the morning which seems to have healed and stabilized my gut. So, I think the probiotic is supporting me because the diarrhea is gone and my acid reflux is gone (nice side benefit!). If the diarrhea is bad, take Immodium for awhile until it stabilizes. If it doesn't, add a probiotic. Here's the one I take.
https://ddprobiotics.com/
I've been on both since December 2025 and all is well. It's tough at first, but my attitude is that I'm doing all I can do to prevent a recurrence. My white and red blood counts come up low on my blood tests, but it hasn't been a problem at all. I'm very careful in washing my hands and keeping safe when out in the world.
Best wishes to you. We're all in this together!

In 2021 my Oncologist put me on Anastrozole for about a year and then added Verzenio. I had diarrhea for months. Imodium helped, but I couldn’t stay far away from a bathroom ever.

The last three days I was on Verzenio I woke up in the middle of the night with the sensation that I was drowning and gasping for air. I saw on the Mayo some information that this can be a side effect of Verzenio.

I talked to my PA in oncology on the phone and she said to stop taking Verzenio and that, “It’s not buying you that much.”

In 2021 I was diagnosed with stage 1 and four cancerous lymph nodes. IDC. I took Verzenio for four months.

I have thirty side effects from Anastrozole and I’m done with my five years in August. BTW my oncologist has had me coming into the clinic almost every three months. I finally put my foot down and said, “No” And I said no to yet another CT scan for an elevated CA blood test. No to any more mammograms, ultrasounds, breast, MRIs in which I broke a rib, I had 30 sessions of radiation.

I said yes, to Signatera and blood tests every three months. I have had ten negative Signatera tests in five years. I am now getting these tests every three months. I want to live my life. I have finally learned how to say, “No.“

What about the joint & muscle pain??@brightlight66

@brightlight66
Great to hear you got through those early difficult weeks with Verzenio.
I more than understand your attitude of doing all one can to prevent a recurrence.
That's where my onco is coming from in recommending it to me.
Thank you kindly for all your information. I will certainly take note of it.
Yes, we are all in this together...all the best to you!

@sharon35981
What an awful reaction of feeling you are drowning and gasping for air!
Very scary to hear.
Wonderful you have had so many negative Signatera tests within 5 years...and you are done with your AI in August!
It sounds like you are in a very good place mentally and physically.
I also want to live my life...but must make a decision on Verzenio. I don't understand why my former breast cancer team never mentioned Signatera testing...seems odd they didn't.
And during that time last year I never heard of it.
This month it will be one year since my BM. I have a ways to go yet.
The fear of recurrence is always with me. Hearing your particular reaction to Verzenio is - honestly - depressing.
But thank you for telling me your experience, I will certainly take note of it.
All the very best to you!

@tigle8 Verzenio doesn't cause any joint and muscle pain. I do have slight finger pain from trigger fingers from Anastrozole, but that's it.

@briarrose
I should have mentioned that after my lumpectomy and lymph node ectomy, on the day of surgery, I had a Signatera test and it was negative—they got it all. Also, I’ll be 80 in August. There came this point in my life when I said, “This is enough.” I told my kind and intelligent doctor, “I need some space. No more testing except for Signatera and blood tests.” I told him when I would like to see him in the kindest way I could. I am once again enjoying my life with quilting, playing the piano, making wallets for my friends, spending time with my husband and family, and I’ve published five books now; three since 2021 when I was diagnosed. Happiness and health go together.

The dog in the photo is a service dog who helps me outside our home going up and down curbs, bumpy sidewalks, and cracked parking lots. He’s a joy.

I wish you the best along with many blessings and happiness. It’s possible you might not have any side effects. Hugs and love to you.

Aww...such sweet kindness expressed. So wonderful you are enjoying your full life so much better now!
Your beautiful photo with your special pal says it all! 🙂
So very true - Happiness & Health go together.
Many blessings to you as well!

Does anyone have reliable info on whether Verzenio affects patients in a cardioivascular way? AI's gave me a huge ongoing problem with Labile hypertension after only 3 months; Fulvestrant gave me leg pain and rash that led to some vein insufficiency. I don't want to take anything that will worsen my BP or vascular system. My current Doc should have been aware of my initial BP situation and not kept me on AI's.....I think they often just look at "averages" in med's risk factors. I want them to look at individuals.
I'll keep doing my A I research of reputable sources. Thanks.

@briarrose I’ve been on Verzenio almost 11 months and also on AI (Anastrozole). My oncologist ramped up the dosage of the Verzenio, starting with 50mg, then 100mg, and finally 150mg with increases about 3 months apart. I think it helped my body more easily adjust.
WBC and RBC counts have slowly dropped with the dose increase, but nothing alarming yet.
Diarrhea didn’t happen until 150mg. Fortunately it wasn’t as horrible as it could have been. Immodium swung my system in the complete opposite direction so I took Pepto instead. It’s now leveling out after 2 months at the higher dose.
Sending lots of hugs and wishing you all the best!