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Gleevec – an update

This topic has 7 replies, 1 voice, and was last updated 19 years ago by shirlsgirl.

Viewing 8 posts - 1 through 8 (of 8 total)

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April 14, 2005 at 6:39 pm #5530

shirlsgirl
Member

Hi all,

Well, my mom has been on Gleevec for just over a week and her Hemo. doctors are thrilled!! Her CBC is normal! Since starting the Gleevec her platelets went up from 119 to 159 and her WBC’s have come down into the normal range.

She is completely off of Prednisone now, and is still taking Cyclosporin. Her doc’s are closely monitoring her while on the 2 drugs because Cyclosporin apparently interacts with Gleevec….and eventually (in June I think) she will cut back on the Cyclosporin until she is only taking the Gleevec.

Mom is really tired these days…probably a combination of stress and getting used to the new drug. But, so far so good. Yay!

Jody

April 14, 2005 at 7:11 pm #5531

Jack_dup1
Member

Jody,
That is great news, the odds were not great in regards to CMML and Gleevac. I like to think the odds are always 50/50, either it works or it doesn’t. I’m thrilled for you both.
Jack

April 15, 2005 at 3:51 am #5532

geebeebee
Member

That’s great to hear, Jody. I hope your Mom sees continued improvement!

Greg

April 15, 2005 at 8:35 pm #5533

Suzanne
Member

Fantastic Jody. We all look for news that gives hope even tho we can count on each other for support for the other kind.

April 15, 2005 at 11:31 pm #5534

mommachkate
Member

Hi Jody, I am so very happy to hear the good news about your Mom improvments.What is she taking the Cyclosporin for ?I hope we will hear more of this kind of good news.Best wishes Kate

April 16, 2005 at 12:53 am #5535

Kathryn
Member

Jody, that is wonderful! Keep the good news coming! Gives us all hope!

Kathryn

April 16, 2005 at 3:32 pm #5536

Ensnee
Member

Jody, I’m so happy for you and your mom! She is SO lucky she has that one gene transmutation in CMML that allows her to use Gleevec. Tell her I’m sending healing thoughts her way for continued improvement.

hugs,
Esme

April 17, 2005 at 9:22 pm #5537

shirlsgirl
Member

Thank you everyone for your kind words, your support means so much.

Hi Kate, The cyclosporin is an immune suppressive drug used to treat my mom’s ITP. Her immune system is overactive and is destroying her platelets, so the cyclosporin suppresses her immune system so her platelets aren’t destroyed. Since being treated with Cyclosporin her platelets went from 11 to over 500 (while on 20 mg’s of Prednisone) and now at 159 without the Prednisone. It worked well for her, she just has to watch her Blood pressure as high blood pressure is a common side effect from Cyclosporin.
Hope George is feeling well, I think of you often.

Thank you again everyone. Jody
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