Abemaciclib

Hi I hope you find an improvement with thf reduced dose, my diarrhoea has been better & I have a bit more energy.

I lost some weight but have put a little back on now my appetite is a little better but still eat small portions. 

I only had nausea in the first 2 weeks & nothing since.

I hope you start to improve, it's a hard slog!

Good luck & best wishes x

Hi Tracey been on 100mg for 5months now on and off ,just joint pain but of pain stomach watery eyes . I think you be fine x

Hi Mere

I started on Friday. A few cramps, little sickness am waiting in anticipation for the diarrhoea!!  Will keep you posted xx 

Hi Tracey, I have started to feel a bit sick and as if something stuck in throat ,take omethrazole and gaviscon, don't eat alot either. Huh 

Hi Mere

is that after 5 months on 100mg..  I started 100mg three weeks ago.  Only diarrhoea a few times and very manageable. Hardly any cramps and only small amount of sickness.  My serious problem is  losing my eyebrows and lashes which I am so disappointed with.  I don’t think I can go two years with no hair I won’t be able to manage mentally.  Has anyone else got this problem xx 

Hi Tracey,  I’m pleased you are finding 100mg manageable.  As I’ve said in previous posts, I was reduced from 150 to 50 with a view to gradually increasing.  I’ve just picked up my third cycle of 50mg but asked the oncology nurse when will it be increased and she said we’ve no intention of increasing it.  This took me by surprise so I asked about effectiveness of such a low dose.  She said data shows it’s still effective and to take 50mg twice daily is better than taking none.  I Don’t feel very confident about that statement, why dish out 150mg to patients knowing how ill it can make them if lower can you just as well.   I was so ill on 150mg but looking back i now suspect a lot of that was due to starting it only 4 weeks after radiotherapy ended.  I’m fighting fit now and don’t know I’m taking 50mg of Abemaciclib twice daily so I feel ready to try 100mg.  

I hope you keep well on 100mg. Good luck xx

Hi Mere

Yeah I feel the same why start people on 150mg if the lower doses are just as successfully! They do the same with chemo, they lower the dose and then say it’s just as effective.  What can we say but be guided by them.  I have noticed from being on here that the oncologists do kinda have a blanket approach with the treatments.  My oncologist said we will catch up in 4 weeks and look at 150mg!! Which I kinda let it pass me by as I’ve only been on this 3 weeks!  As I said I’m not sure I can lead a healthy life with no eyebrows and lashes for 2 years, which I will approach with her at my next appointment.  Have you had any hair loss?  xx

I do understand your anxiety about losing your eyebrows and lashes.  Have you tried the stencils and brushes set for your eyebrows.  I too have lost my eyebrows but have kept at least some of my lashes. I purchased a cheap set of stencil and brushes £5 from Amazon to see if they work. I couldn’t get on with the stencils but I use the brush freehand with the powder and I’m amazed how good it looks and lasts all day. Maybe false lashes will help.   Best wishes. Xx

Hi Tracey1977, I'm not on Abemaciclib, but when I was having chemo I did loose my eyelashes and eyebrows along with my hair. I used false eyelashes whilst on chemo, I bought eylure no. 70 as I found them the perfect ones for me and I had lots of comments on how well my eyelashes were, no-one really noticed they were false. They were a little fiddly to put on to start with but with the little tool to help its so easy now.

I'm now on tamoxifen and targeted HER2 positive treatment (Phesgo). I have been using a serum from UK lash. I bought all 3, lashes, brows and hair) and I have to say I am amazed. I have been using it for about 8 weeks now and my lashes are growing, (I still use the false ones too as not quite ready to have mascara on them they still a little short) my eyebrows are back and my hair is coming along nicely. I use the serums at night so they have longer to get working. I've added the link below.

https://www.uklash.com/products/eyelash-serum?gad=1&gclid=Cj0KCQjw7uSkBhDGARIsAMCZNJsY4KGO9zMRxAjQ7Wbrd8KAJIonewfUo69StF5kQHU5XTGpcv54pqwaAueLEALw_wcB

I can understand how you feel about no lashes or brows and I know having to put false ones on or drawing on eyebrows (I used to do that as I didn't like the tattoos) takes a few minutes extra each morning but it did make me feel good all day. In the evening at home take it all off, swap my wig for my beanie or just go without and just be me but in a different looking way, not my favourite I have to admit and it does get me down occasionally, but then I remember how lucky I am it was found when it was as it could have ended up much worse with more spread.

Best wishes and hugs from cuffcake x x x x x

Hi All

Thank you so much for response.  I just want to say I lost my hair, eyebrows and lashes whilst on chemo.  They all grew back.  My disappointment is doing it all again but this time for over 2 years!!!  I wasn’t forewarned of this with the targeted therapy.  The problem is with chemo you know it’s temporary.  This is for a longer period and I don’t think my mental health  will be strong enough to go through this for 2 more years xx