About to start treatment

Hi

I hope your first treatment went well and that you're not suffering from side effects. It's natural to worry about them, just remember to let your team know if you're struggling as there are things they can do to help.

x

Hello SOK,

I've also been recently diagnosed at age 46 with secondary breast cancer, with spread to both lungs and lymph nodes. I started on letrozol and palbociclib in mid Jan 2021, as well as zolodex to bring forward the menopause and therefore reduce eostrogen.

 So far, very few side effects. I read so many scary side effects on sites like these, so I was expecting some. (Possibly they will come, so I am appreciating the good days.)

I've been tired after my last zolodex injection and had to take a day off work afterwards. My white blood count was very low and I had to stop taking the palbociclib for a week until it got to near normal levels.  

I've noticed it's a bit harder to breathe in really deeply without a small cough. That seems to get worse when I take the palbociclib, but it doesn't stop me doing normal exercise (walking and cycling). I've been a bit less hungry and have not wanted alcohol (I've gone from having about 14 units a week to about a glass of red wine per week). Sleep is good so far. I've been looking out for the hot flushes that I heard about. I am sometimes a bit hot at night, but easy to remedy by sticking my leg out from under the duvet. 

I'm not sure you wanted quite this amount of detail, but good luck with the treatment and I hope you feel well on it.

Hi, really helpful thanks. I started treatment 1 week ago and feel Ok    although I do get tired and gave felt a bit nauseous but its manageable. I agree when you read all the side effects  its scarey. Maybe it will get worse but I think you can only take it one day at a time and I am being treated. Hot flushes are a pain but having been through the menopause I am used to them. I am having 1st lot of blood tests next Wednesday so hopefully white cells won't be too low but they have warned me they may be. 

Good luck with your journey x