Today is my last day before starting Ibrance (palbociclib). This is the drug the FDA approved on February 3, 2015 -- only five weeks ago! -- that my health insurer has approved as a treatment for me, and for which they are willing to pay $10,000 per month. And it's a pill! I look forward to being much less tied to the chemo chair.
It has the usual side effects, with a special emphasis on neutropenia, the fever accompanying low white blood cell count. I've been fortunate in this long dance with cancer that only a few chemos have had intolerable side effects. I'm hoping that palbo will fall into the majority camp and be both tolerable and effective.
In the meantime I've tried to enjoy my three week chemo break before starting the new stuff.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
Posts
Good luck (from London) with the new stuff, Jill!
ReplyDeleteFour years ago, when I had a recurrence and my doctor prescribed bevacizumab, it struck me that these drugs really do have the weirdest names -- totally crazy names. I'm sure there's a logic (e.g., 'mab' is for Monoclonal Anti-Body), but I came up with a haiku ...
My meds
I can't say their names,
These drugs that make me so sick.
But they will cure me
So exciting! I hope they do trials for ER+ Her2+ I believe I would like to add it to my regimen at some point.
ReplyDeleteGood luck, fingers crossed for success. You must have very good insurance coverage. That's a blessing in itself. Enjoy your days off. Susan
ReplyDeleteAmy updates on the effectiveness of ibrance ? Thank you.
ReplyDeleteIbrance was not effective for me nor for one friend I know who took it. That said, each of us is an individual and responds differently to these drugs.
ReplyDeleteI finished first round - two days later I was really feeling depressed. It occurred to me that my body was suddenly not being bombarded with some serious chemicals. Has this happened to any one else.? Fatigue was only side effect thus far.
ReplyDeleteThird month trying to complete a full 21 day cycle. I can't do it. I sleep 24 + hours at a time, I'm weak and faint. I can't tolerate it and I have tolerated many other treatments. Anyone else having this effect?
ReplyDeleteI was diagnosed in 2004 with Stage 4 breast cancer. I've had chemo and radiation since my surgery. In 2004, I took Arimedix and I only tolerated it for 3 years instead of the required 5 years. Then in Dec. 2012, the cancer came back in my tail bone. After the removal of the tumor, I started taking Femara. In June 2016, the cancer came back in my hip and I changed the pill to Aridemex again, but it didn't work. Now, last month, in November, the doctor changed it to Ibrance combined with the chemo injection, Faslodex. I'm still thinking whether or not I should take it because of all the side effects.
ReplyDeletePili