Re: Gleevec vacation/colonoscopy -

[Guest guest]

Hi ,

Sorry to hear about your troubles with your low Hgb and colonoscopy.

I can tell you that I have been having a terrible time with my Hbg.

It hovers in the low 9.0 range. I take Eprex (Procrit) but only

20,000 units per month. Against my doctors wishes I took a short

break on IM about 1 month ago and my counts all rebounded. I know we

are not supposed to advocate breaks and your doctor can decide what

is best for you. All this to say that most patients who have had to

take a break from IM because of low counts or side effects usually do

better once they go back on. Not everyone does, but most do.

Hopefully these little breaks will help and not hurt the situation.

As there is a high risk of colon cancer in my family (my mother

passed away from colon cancer) I recently had a colonoscopy. I

stayed on IM as my counts had stabilized. Happy to report that the

results were negative.

I have an older sibling who had 4 polyps removed about 3 years ago

and she is doing fine.

Stay well,

Cheers,

Cheryl-Anne

dxed november 2000

PCRU IFN until Jan 2003, PCRU IM since June 2003

> The second colonoscopy occurred faster than expected because my

> platelets were at 143 a week ago Thursday, Hemoglobin dropped to

> 10.8, and the ANC was at 1.4. My oncologist figured that if my

> Protologist could take me earlier, this would be a very good time.

> So this past Tuesday, I went in AGAIN without taking the Gleevec

> again on Monday and Tuesday. Since I did not want the same thing

> happening that happened the first time (don't we all love

that " prep " )

> I was MORE cautious and had a CBC done Monday morning before my

Prep

> began. I was going to be in charge THIS time! My hemoglobin dropped

> to 10.1, my platelets to 135 and my ANC was kind of holding (Can't

> remember exactly what it was). Low and behold, today (Thursday) I

> had my weekly CBC again....hemoglobin rose to 10.8, platelets to

153,

> anc to 1.8.........this is really crazy. Like I said, I have the

two

> experts really confused and baffled once AGAIN!

> We talked about serum levels but nothing panned out about this.

> Maybe now it will. OBVIOUSLY, Gleevec has become a little toxic

even

> at 400 mg. I was on 600 mg from April 2003 to August 2004. I

> finally put a stop to the naseau and the VERY swollen eyes and the

> very swollen legs---against Dr. Druker's expertise (since he woudl

> not grant me permission) I emailed them one day and said THIS IS my

> body, not yours and I am now on 400mg. They were not too happy

about

> this BUT I know my body better than everyone else. I believe that

> the 400 is also too strong for me.

> So, this is why I asked my question and look forward to any imput!

I

> will be out of town for the next 5-6 days. I will have access to

> email, though. I will check in occassionaly...might be better to

> email me direct!

>

> I hope I was clear in this letter...if not, I will clear up

whatever

> I did not by your letters.

>

> One final note: My husband had me write on the fax to

Carolyn: " " Do

> I just need to have a colonoscopy every month or may I take mini

> Gleevec holidays? " Bob (my husband) is TOO cute!!!

>

> Hugs,

>

> Rosenthal

> Miami, Florida

>

> seeing Druker on October 13, 2005 next (anyone going to be out

> there?) otherwise, we will be going home the next day----no BMB/BMA

> this time!)

> " undetectable " since October 2004 and March 2005 with trace in the

> new " nested " test!

> dx January 8, 2003