Ribociclib - breaks in medication

Hi Bamboozled and a very warm welcome to the online community

I'm sorry to see that your post has not had any replies yet. This could be because no one else in the group has had the same experience as you or just that the right person with the same experience hasn't seen it yet.

I'm going to tag the Community Champions for this group and GRANNY59 into my reply to you as they may be able to help further.

x

Hi Bamboozled

Don't have any experience of Ribociclib but I think   and   are taking this. Although they may not have been on it for very long regarding needing 'breaks'

Did a group search for Ribociclib and these results came up you could browse through until you get a more informative reply.

It is quite common to have a therapy placed on pause while white cells or platelets etc increase - this can happen fairly quickly so is only usually a short gap in treatment. If this is taking longer than expected they could offer a transfusion as a top up.

Hope this is of some help, G n' J

Hi Bamboozled

i was due to start my second cycle of ribociclib last week but had to have another week off as my bloods were so low. I am back for bloods tomorrow and will hopefully start again on a lower dose. Onc said it’s really common to have breaks and reduce dosage. I’ve felt awful but today I feel like my bloods may be ok, fingers crossed! 

Have they reduced your dose? 

I started a ribociclib thread a couple of weeks ago, I will see if I can find it and tag you in! 

Nicky x

Hi Nicky

It sounds like we have similar things going on. I had to have a two week break between cycles 1 and 2 and the same has happened between 2 and 3. I've had bloods taken today so, fingers crossed, I'll be restarting tomorrow  it's reassuring to know its not uncommon to have extended breaks though. My dose was reduced from 600 to 400 for cycle 2. 

Fingers crossed for your bloods tomorrow and thanks for the tag, I'll have a read.

Thanks  x

Hi

I was started on Ribo at the highest dose and my bloods did not hold.  I only managed one cycle and had to have a 6/7 week break.  I was switched to palbo at medium dose on first cycle and all was good so they put me on highest dose 125mg. I am about to pick up cycle 7 of this next week.  Am just starting my week break.

My understanding is they are both very similar drugs (Ribo is the newer of the two I think). Hope this helps. I have so far been ok on Palbo with minimal side effects.

x

Hi

Yes, it really does help to know there are options. Sometimes it can be daunting. I've just received a call to say my platelets have gone up a little after the extra break so they are happy for me to restart cycle 3. Just taking each month as it comes but today is a good day. 

Thank you for your support x

That’s great to hear you can have the third cycle. After two week break I started again today with it reduced by a third. I’m really hoping I’m ok this month, onc seems pretty positive. 

Hi Bamboozled 

I finished Ribociclib cycle 3 last Saturday. I had just over a two week break before

starting it as had a bad cold then chest infection ( antibiotics).

Currenly I’m still on maximum dose 3 tablets a day for 21 days then 7 days recovery. I just started to feel better yesterday ( Tuesday). 
Plus the lovely monthly bum injections of Fulvestrant, how could I forget those

I have insomnia/ dry skin/ sore eyes whites pink / and at the moment heartburn so about to break open the Gaviscon Advanced. 
My CT scan is on Feb 18th and results in March then I find out if it’s working. 
Yesterday I had the Nurse ( paid for by Ribociclib Company to visit patients on this drug for 6 months) home visit: ECG/ BP/ took bloods. 
Later today, if bloods ok will collect cycle 4 of Ribociclib tablets and have bum injections in afternoon. 
Oncologist will reduce my dose when my SE are too much. 
Judith xx

Hi Judith

We could be partners in crime although I haven't finished my cycle 3 tablets for another 2 weeks. I'm on a reduced dose of 400mg. My next CT scan is 19th Feb and it feels like a major milestone at this stage.  I haven't been subjected to the bum injections yet but they were mentioned at my last clinic appointment so I'll be feeling your pain.

Good luck with cycle 4 and your scan

X

Hello Bamboozled 

Partners in Crime sounds fun.. on my 7 days break mind

Well who slept through their appointment today?  

So, I emailed the Chemo unit and got a phone call almost immediately, ( a first), from one of the chemo nurses who has booked me in for 15:30 tomorrow ( I’ve put 15:00 on my phone to be safe). 

The bum injections are a bit like being being shot with a dart ( I imagine ).  It’s the two days after that are achy and sore. 
Let me know how your treatment goes xxx

Judith.