As many of you may know by now I have had a wonderful trip off Gleevec or any other TKI's.
It has been 4 years and 3 months ago that I took my last 400mg of Gleevec.
Over this period I have had 5 "detected" PCR results, but the percentages have been very low. The highest test result was 0.0065%n in June 2010. Thereafter I had another 2 "detected" results before returning a string of "undetected" results from March 2011 until Jan 2013.
My latest PCR result dated 5/8/2013 came back "detected" at 0.0066%.
Although the detection remains very low, it is never the less a bit stressful.
I am seeing my Haematologist on Tuesday and will discuss my result and the results to date.
I have been under a great deal of mental stress over the past few months and this may have had an effect on my immune system.
But I am sure that this is merely a blip and my results will soon return to the past 4 to 4.5 log reduction.(I love to see three Zero's behind the decimal place)
I still of course realise how fortunate I am even with my last result as many of my fellow CML'ers would love that result.
So let's see what my Doctor has to say and when I should take the next test.
Unfortunately I am in unchartered territory so I will take this as before, one day at a time.
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News from Basil in South Africa
Hi Basil,
just to remind you that one PCR result does not necessarily reflect what is actually going on. You have had this result before- you said your highest was in 2010 - so even if this is a true reflection of the present ratio of Bcr/Abl to whatever the control gene your lab uses, it might well be that your sample was not a 'good' one. There are quite a few variables that need to be in place if a PCR test is to be viable. You are still in a 'good place' and the next test might well show that extra zero that you like to have.
best wishes,
Sandy