Abemaciclib - advice please

Hi Ninaj

While I don't have the experience you are looking for I noticed that you haven't had any answers yet so I thought I'd reply to you to move you to the top of the discussion.  Hopefully someone will be along with an answer for you.

Best wishes

Daisy53

Thank you Daisy53. So anxious about the side effects. I have been through 6 chemo sessions and lost my hair, hoped the side effects were over. But not according to the Abemaciclib leaflet, the toilet and potential hair loss (again) are so concerning.

Many thanks 

Ninaj

Hi, 

I take my tablet at 7:30am and 7:30pm. I try not to eat at least an hour before or after I take the meds. I cut down on sugar/ crisps. I don’t really drink alcohol. I do drink a lot of water & have a glass of pure coconut water every day as someone told me it was good for your white cells.

I did prep a just in case pack for my handbag. It has pocket wet wipes, underwear and Imodium instants. I have not needed to use this. I am on the full dose. I started in July 2024. I have fatigue occasionally but no other side effects.

best of luck with it and remember they can reduce your dose if needed.

AMA70, thank you so much for your reply. I feel more positive to start taking the tablets now, and just hope for a very similar outcome .

Kind regards 

Ninaj

Hiya ,I started taking abemaciclib 2 weeks ago and had really been dreading it when reading about the side effects .When I spoke to my oncologist about my worries ,he said to give them a go and if not happy then I could reduce dosage or even stop them ,but at least I had tried them .First week no problems at all, last week I had some really bad stomach cramps on and off for 3 days .No diarrhoea, just awful stomach pains but I can't really say if it was the abemaciclib or not . I have had similar in the past a few years ago before starting any treatment .I took some Buscopan as they helped in past with stomach pain ,but it didn't clear them so I bought Colpermine as they are more for spasms and after 2 of them the pain cleared .I just took an odd one over the weekend if I felt it was starting again but had no problem after all .Apart from that ,things have been OK although its very early days . I've been eating pretty much same as before I started them ,and take them about 8am and 8pm but I have almost forgot the evening one a few times 

Hi Ninja

I have been taking Abemaciclib since March 2023 and I am still on the maximum dose of 150mg twice a day. I was fearful of taking them but my side effects have been minimal. I have had tummy issues but I find if I don't eat for a couple of hours before or after taking the tablets  I am fine. I will complete the 2 year course in March and the whole experience has been nowhere near as bad as I had feared and I have been able to work full time throughout. Please also be reassured that if you do have troubling side effects the dose can be reduced without impacting  efficacy.  The research results are very promising regarding recurrence.

Wishing you the very best.

Lizzie

So helpful, thank you Lizzie. I will definitely try the no food before and after as it seems the way for best results regarding side effects. I really don't feel so anxious now reading the experiences of the lovely people on this site 

Thank you for the advice Caff1, never heard of Colpermine, but I will get some as I prepare to start taking the meds this week. Big girl pants on , don't feel so anxious now.

Many thanks for your time 

Hi all! 

just jumping on this thread…I’m just about to pick up my abemaciclib today… but hearing from you all has made me feel a little better about the side effects and the potential need to run to the bathroom every 10 mins!!!!! Hopefully it won’t be too bad and will definitely take before food..thanks for all the advice.

ninaj - good luck with taking yours! Hope side effects are minima! Xx

When I collected  first lot of Abemaciclib  it came in a big bag with 3 packs anti nausea tablets and 2 large packs of loperamide for diarrhoea. I did laugh and think wow this is slightly pessimistic! But havnt needed them so far ,just used the Colpermin .Another thing that bothered me was that I thought it would be back and forward to hospital especially in first few months when there  are more blood tests needed, but they sent me a few blood test forms so I can book at a little hospital only 20mins from home and not trek to main hospital.