Palbociclib and Fatigue: What Users Say

• Har...
• November 7, 2016

Palbociclib for Breast Cancer, Metastatic "I'm on Faslodex and Ibrance. My cancer was in my lymph nodes near my clavicle, on T10, T11, T12, L5, on my Sacrum and spread around my pelvis in a lot of little spots, plus it was in my hip joint. My organs were spared, but it was scary since it was in my lymph nodes. I've been on Faslodex since August 2016 and I started Ibrance in September 2016. In just two months, all of my lesions have shrunk and there's no new metabolic activity surrounding what remains. I take my Ibrance at night and don't feel dizzy or nauseous. I don't feel too great if I eat too much, but as long as I eat light meals, my energy is good and I feel normal. I do feel fatigued from time to time, but a quick nap leaves me feeling refreshed."

• 15...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• February 28, 2017

Palbociclib for Breast Cancer, Metastatic "I was diagnosed in Oct 2002 with estrogen/progesterone positive breast cancer of the left breast with 2 nodes positive. I received chemo (Cytoxan, Adriamycin, Taxotere), no radiation. Was clear for 13 years until Oct 2015, diagnosed with mets to bone. Had right hip replacement for fracture and radiation. Other lesions noted in the spine, left hip, and mammary node. Started Ibrance and Letrozole with very little side effects. Some hair thinning, occasional mouth sore, fatigue at times. Side effects very minimal. Also received Xgeva injection monthly. Results excellent: markers good, lesions inactive for 17 months. Recently had a PET scan and found an active lesion on the left hip. Next plan is to do some radiation, Faslodex injections monthly, and continue Xgeva."

• Jaj...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 15, 2017

Palbociclib for Breast Cancer, Metastatic "I was so hopeful that the wonder drug Ibrance would help me, but it didn't do squat. Actually, I am worse off now than before. It seems to have triggered something to make my mets spread. Side effects: mild to moderate. Bad fatigue and mouth sores. Insurance out of pocket would have been $60 a month, but copay assistance made it only $10."

• pfr...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• May 13, 2021

Palbociclib for Breast Cancer, Metastatic "I was diagnosed with Stage 1A breast cancer in July 2019. I started on Tamoxifen in October 2019. In April 2020, my tumor marker shot up, so bone and CT scans were done, results not good, so a biopsy was done on the lower spine, and on May 5, 2020, I found out that the cancer had metastasized to my bones. In June 2020, I started Faslodex injections, in July 2020, I started Ibrance capsules and Xgeva injections. A PET scan in September and December 2020 showed no progression or activity, and a CT in April 2021 showed no progression or activity. I am thankful that this treatment regimen is working. I get fatigued easily, and my bones hurt (but that is from the Xgeva), but no other problems being on the medications."

• TTa...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• August 30, 2020

Palbociclib for Breast Cancer, Metastatic "August 2016, lumpectomy, estrogen positive 14 mm, clear margins, close to chest bone, no lymph node involvement, radiation only, no Tamoxifen. After 13 years, bone pain in chest. A scan revealed bone spots and lung tumor metastases - estrogen positive. November 2019 diagnosis, started Ibrance with Femara and bisphosphonate injection once a month. Within 2 weeks, pain stopped. First scan showed no growth, evidence of some bone healing. A few relatively minor symptoms: loss of appetite, low energy. After a few hours, my vertebrae ached. Now, nine months later, still going well. I am very happy to have this time and a good measure of QOL."

• Old...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• April 20, 2020

Palbociclib for Breast Cancer "I loved it. It was the first drug I tried after I was diagnosed. I had not had a mammogram for 3 years, so my original diagnosis was Stage 4. This drug worked like a charm. Brought my numbers down really low, and I felt good, except for fatigue. But they all affect me that way. My husband was dying of COPD, and I took care of him until the end. Great drug."

• San...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• October 3, 2024

Palbociclib for Breast Cancer "I took Ibrance for almost 7 years. I have stage 4 cancer, and Ibrance reduced tumors throughout the years I took it. It finally stopped working as well as it had to begin with, but the success I had with Ibrance gave me the time I needed to wait for other drugs to be developed. My only noticeable side effect: fatigue."

• TCH...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• June 7, 2024

Palbociclib for Breast Cancer, Metastatic "Ibrance with Anastrozole has been very effective for me. I have had a lot of fatigue interfering with my ability to work and in keeping up with daily activities at home. I also have had severe joint pain-torn meniscus bilateral knees and torn tendon in my ankle, all requiring surgery. I have no current history of arthritis or damage to joints to get the cause of this joint damage. Also, constant low back pain (some arthritis noted in the low back). However, I was diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer with mets to the liver. After 3 months of treatment, all tumors in the breast and liver decreased in size and completely gone in 6 months! Currently, no sign of metastatic disease noted per PET scan after 2 years of treatment."

• Mer...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• March 29, 2023

Palbociclib "I have been on it for over five years - after my last recurrence. I am in remission at this time. For the first 3 years, I was on the 125 mg dose, but my body had a hard time recovering during the week off. So, my doctor switched me to the 100 mg dose. Main side effects: low WBC, low RBC, hemoglobin, platelets, and neutrophils fluctuate. Neuropathy in my feet is mild, neuropathy on my scalp, some hair thinning, some fatigue - however, I live a very full life and swim 3 to 5 times a week and walk too. I have remained in remission for over 5 years! It is three weeks on and one week off - not hard to do."

• Can...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 9, 2020

Palbociclib for Breast Cancer, Metastatic "Was on Ibrance and Letrozole for 3 months, possibly the worst of my life. Could not complete 1 single cycle (started 3 in total). White cells nosedived after 15 days. Side effects included mouth ulcers, diarrhea, skin peeling on my fingers and feet soles, extreme fatigue, joint pains. After 3 months, recurrence in axillary lymph nodes + bone lesions. Going back now to chemo. Almost happy about that since it means the end of Ibrance."

• Lag...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 22, 2019

For Breast Cancer, Metastatic "My mother had metastatic breast cancer. It was in her lungs, spine, and pelvis. It was also ER/PR positive and HER2 negative. We wanted her to have the best treatment. We had to import Ibrance for her to use at great cost to us, her children. Also, she was on letrozole and denosumab injections for her bones. The Ibrance did nothing for her. Within a month, her cancer markers tripled, the cancer spread more, she was having diarrhea constantly, extreme fatigue, neutropenia, low WBC, low platelets. Within a month of diagnosis of her cancer and using Ibrance, she died from septic shock and febrile neutropenia. The drug did not help her. We could still have had more years with her without using this cursed drug. So, so sad and heartbreaking. We were feeding her poison, we just did not know."

• Fis...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 27, 2023

For Breast Cancer, Metastatic "After two weeks on this medication, I have had limited side effects besides fatigue. Some days are better than others, but about once or twice a week I sleep from 16 to 24 hours instead of my regular 12. I had joint pain and headaches in the first few days, but they seem to have subsided after the first week. A rash I get on my face over a scar has flared up directly after starting this medication."

• Kat...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• August 17, 2020

Palbociclib for Breast Cancer, Male "Been on Ibrance for 25 months for bone and liver cancer. Eight small liver tumors have gotten smaller. Very satisfied with this drug. Have severe fatigue."