What are the side effects and effectiveness of Kisqali and Anastrozole for metas...

Well my doctor said it’s not curable but is treatable. So I’m on Ibrance, Fasladex and Xgevia. When it quits working they’ll change the medication. I had a 12 years cancer free then in 2023 they found it in my spine and in my peritoneal cavity

I've been on chemo for 9 years. I did the best on Ibrance 1st with Ibrance and letrezole for about 2 years. Then, Ibrance with fluvestrant for about 5 years. Next, Kisqali and exemestane. I had a lot of side effects diarrhea, mouth sore, ten they lowered my dose of Kisqali. I had disease progression after a year. Then, capecitabine with exemestane. That lasted about 6 months. I start Saturday on antazole with exemestane. Hopefully, it will last longer. I started with mets in My bones too many to count., not below my elbows or knees. Then, mets to my skull, they radiated my skull. Then, a hot spot on my on my spine. They radiated my spine which burned my esophagus. Then, new lesions in my liver. Then, more lesions in my liver and lungs . I'm sure my next treatment will work the best. I have more life to live. You can do this. Some of us metavivors go 20+ years.

You’re in my prayers!’ Thank you for sharing.🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🥰

I’m 77 diagnosed six months ago with stage 4 MBC, not curable, it’s spread too many places. I’m on Anastrozole and Kisqali. I take those meds with food. I’ve had some rashes and low blood counts, but I feel surprisingly well. Daily I’m walking 5,000 steps, shopping, and going to my appointments. Start a notebook, record what doc says and questions for your next appointment. Unfortunately there’s no map for these cancer journeys. Read here and at breastcancer.org to learn the new vocabulary you’ll need. Stay positive, some ladies have lived five years on these medications.

Hi Lori! I was diagnosed in 2007 with Stage 1 IDC ER/PR+HER2-. In June 2023, after breaking a rib and my Coracoid Process (shoulder), my oncologist wanted a PET Scan. Came back Stage 4 Metastatic Breast Cancer to the Bones. A bone biopsy showed it’s the same type I had 17 yrs earlier - ER/PR+HER2-. There were 7 lesions all on different bones, and although that’s a lot of lesions/tumors, the volume of each lesion was small. I have my oncologist (for almost 18 yrs now) here in Memphis, and I also have an oncologist at MD Anderson. I’ve done extremely well on Kisqali and Letrozole, and the side effects have been very minimal and manageable! I also get the XGEVA bone injection once a month, which occasionally will cause some bone pain, but not enough to stop me from going and doing! I do take pain medication twice a day, which I have no doubt helps me get through the day. There are days when I need one in the afternoon between my morning medications and night medications, but so far that’s only been on rare occasions, and I’m ok with that. I go back to what my oncologist told me that afternoon after the PET Scan, “This is not hopeless. Do you hear me?! THIS is NOT hopeless!” When my mind starts wondering down that dark path, that cancer so often wants you to take, I’ll text him, “I need that reassurance!”, and he always texts back “THIS is NOT hopeless!” Afterwards, I’m good to go…..at least until the next scan! Lol! I’m praying for you, and everyone else on here as well!!🙏🩷 It truly helps to hear from/talk to other ladies who are going through the same Stage 4 diagnosis as I am. There is absolutely no way, when I was Stage 1, that I would have ever been able to understand, much less console, someone with a Stage 4 diagnosis. I’ve learned so much from other Stage 4 BCMets being on various cancer apps and social media cancer discussions! Hang in there and do your best to stay positive!!💖

Thank you Leigh!!! God bless you and keep you! With your great outlook, I know you will keep thriving long and strong ❤️

Lori B, I started on Cymbalta before I was diagnosed with stage 4. I thought my exhaustion was from depression. My psychologist upped it every month until it was at 90 mg, so I had no bone pain. I was diagnosed with bone mets about 10 days later. Too many bone lesions too count. I had no lesions below my elbows or knees. But in every other bone. You may ask your oncologist about Cymbalta for bone pain.

Hi Patricia. I’m 73 diagnosed six months ago also. MBC stage 4 also. I’m on KISQALI exgeva and fluvestrant. I also feel well. Funny how you can have such a horrible disease and still feel good. I’m still amazed that I have mbc.

Hi I'm new to all of this bone metals and meds.i get very sad thinking about a new round of radiation starting in a few weeks.are the side effects of radiation to the pelvis as bad as I have been reading.any advice will be very much appreciated.

I've been on kesquali for 5 months the only side affect is a rash on my arms back and chest. Oddly enough it's also where I had skin cancer and now it's gone. I had to get parasentisis from fluid in my abdomen due to acities twice once in may and once in July but since then I'm not seeing any fluid buildup. I'll be getting a Pet scan to see how much cancer is gone. Im very optimistic.

These medications can be an important part of treatment for metastatic breast cancer, and it's completely understandable to want to know what to expect as you begin this new chapter. While experiences with side effects and treatment duration can vary significantly from person to person, many community members have shared their journeys with these therapies and found valuable support in connecting with others who understand. Consider reaching out to your medical team with specific questions about your treatment plan, and don't hesitate to engage with others here who may have walked a similar path.

I'm 72. Diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer to my bones 5 months ago. From head to toe, spine, ribs, and skull. Started Letrozole and Kisqali. Also zometa infusions for bones. Side effects for me include diarrhea, constipation and really major whole body sweating. The worse part is a ribbon of awful tasting phlegm that won't go away. And a general overall feeling of just sick. Causes my appetite to go away.

Lynette I’m on the same meds and have been since Jan this year . A few months I felt sick from the dose as time it gets better. I also have stage 4 metastatic breast cancer in my bones. First months I eat right . And know I’m having a hard time eating g right. But so far the meds are still working. Hang in there . You and gods got this. Have faith

Lori, my prayers are with you. My side effects vary from barely there to so bad I can hardly stand it. I've only been going through this for about 6 months so far, and I'm twice your age, but my Oncologist tells me if you can keep tolerating it and if it's slowing and or stopping the progression (Kisqali), he has known of cases that lasted 15 years! You are young and have a lot to do yet. Keep in there and find the Lord. It's a blessing to have the time to spend with loved ones and find peace with God.