Is Verzenio Safe for Breast Cancer Treatment?

Im eligible for it but I’m hesitant also

I have tried this twice but it depleted all of my energy. My arms and legs became useless

What else can you do to try and reduce chance of recurrence?

Exercises, maintain a normal body weight, lots of veggies (like 8 servings a day), sulphoraphane supplements. Walnuts are a good cancer fighting snack. Sour sop tea (have to have the leaves and simmer for 20 minutes). I read that apricot kernels are very beneficial. Lord of controversy. And it's almost impossible to get legit information about them on line. I bought a book about them but haven't read it yet.

Oh and no alcohol and reduce the sweets

Had to stop Verzenio. Made me so weak in arms and legs I couldn’t get out of bed without falling

WOW I’m going to start Verzenio next week. I have a tele conference call with my Doctor today. Thanks for the information just found out I start tomorrow

I had stage 3 lobular and 16 nodes removed. My first onco did not put me on Versenio. One year later, second opinion onco suggested it will help reduce recurrence by a significant amt. what the heck?!

My oncologist said it will reduce recurrence by 5%. I just couldn’t take it. It left me bed bound. Stopped and restarted twice. No longer on it. Ask oncologist what “significant amount” means

I have been on verzenio for 5 months. I wasn’t able to handle the initial 150 mg dose but dropped to 100 mg and it’s ok. Don’t love being on it but the fact that it might reduce reoccurrence by 25% make me stay with it. Hope that helps.

Have taken for for 1 1/2 years with six months remaining. The diarrhea (manageable with immodium) and fatigue are the negative side effects for me. I’m doing whatever I can to stick with it for the recommended 2 yrs. The reduction in the risk of recurrence is worth it (my oncascore was 32 so my recurrence chances are high)

I was not offered Verzenio I am stage 3 1B -IDC HER-PR/ER+ I chose to take Tamoxifen first then switch to AI until I meet with the endocrinologist. Concerned about bone loss.

Just finished Week 1 no side effects so far. Hopefully stays the same.

I'm about to start taking it tomorrow. I'm on the lowest dose, so fingers crossed not to many side effects.

What's the lowest dose?

50mg twice a day

I was nervous to take it, so I asked my oncologist to start me on the lowest dose

Seems our oncologists are giving us different “recurrence rates “ for Verzenio. I saw 5% , 25% and mine told me 15%. How can that be? I got it prescribed from Mayo!

Let me clarify. Those percentage mean the reduction in recurrence I believe after 5 years?

He really didn't give me a recurrence rate. I just told him I was scared of it and wanted to go with the lowest dose. I didn't want to start taking the high dose and deal with side effects

My oncologist had me start verzinio very gradually—50 mg/day. I’m at 150 mg day now and it is manageable. He’s keeping me on the lower dose because he thinks I won’t tolerate the standard one, given my body weight, blood counts on the 150 mg. I consult with an oncology naturopath who recommended taking zinc carnosine before verzinio. I take one in the am and one on the pm about 15 min before the verzinio. It helps strengthen the stomach lining.

Katherine E. So your mind sharing why your doctor(s) referred you to an endocrinologist? I'm wondering if I should be going to one

Hi Melani I was concerned about the bone loss associated with AI’s I have osteoporosis and osteopenia. I chose to start with Tamoxifen u til I meet with the endocrinologist to discuss the risks. I’m concerned with the after effects when bone treatment ends, and during treatment.I read you could experience rapid bone loss. I may have misread this. I am seeing an Naturopath - prefer non pharmaceutical options to treat symptoms.

Katherine E. Thanks for sharing. I'm looking for an endocrinologist and an oncologist naturopath. So much information to maneuver. I've been on the AI Letrozole for 6 months now. Going in for a binge scan in 2weeks. We will see...I had osteopenia before this all started.

Hi All...been on Verzenio standard dosage for a year and 6 months. Also, taking anastrozol. When I first started, side effects were nausea and diarrhea. Changes how foods taste. Sometimes, I can't stand the taste of foods I used to love...goes through stages. Sometimes, it affects the appetite... I eat half of what I used to eat at a meal. Try to eat healthy snacks throughout the day. More plant based diet supports against cancer. Broccoli. Red grapes, walnuts, and apples have cancer fighting properties. Review the cancer diet information. At this time, side effects are diminished, and I am in remission. I pray this continues.