Hi my names Michael,I take a daly dose of 400 mg Glivec for the last four months,I tend to become neutrophenic once a month and have to stop the Glivec and take GCSF injections,I am now back on Glivec and GCSF at the same time,do you think I am resistant to Glivec ? Is there another drug ? I live in Dartford Kent
You are here
GCSF
Michael - I had a side effect with Glivec which knocked my platelet count too low and had to keep stopping. There is no growth factor for platlets unlike white cells so I would keep going with the GCSF and dont worry about resistance until and if it happens not many people are resistant - you will be being monitored via blood and bone marrow samples - are you being treated locally or have you been referred to Kings College Hospital? (Where I was referred)
Russ
Hi Michael
I took GCSF + Glivec on a regular basis for four years and achieved a low PCR on this combination. This is not resistance.
There are two other drugs called second generation tyrosine kinase inhibitors - glivec being first generation - Sprycel and Tasigna. These drugs are availabe for those who are resistant or intolerant to Glivec but you don't have to worry about this for now.
Best wishes
Elizabeth
Hi thats great news,I am treated at the chemo clinic, Darent valley hospital (Dartford)Ands its a little like little britain being that Iam the only CMLer in the clinic,I some times feel such a fraud as clinic caters for brave people having chemo, but since finding this site I have become more confident,
Thank you
Michael
hi michael, it must be a little lonely being the only CML patient treated at your clinic. there are many members here who find that a referral to a larger CML specialist centre such as Kings or Guy's or even Hammersmith Hospitals in London gives more confidence that they are getting the best possible care. many find that they are able to have shared care between the local clinic and the expert centre which means that you only have to travel every few months and can maintain your routine care at the local hospital. it also means that you can meet up with others with the same disease which is important if you are not to feel isolated as time goes on. maybe you could discuss this option with your doctor at some future date.
meanwhile hopefully you will continue to access this forum which will do a lot to help you feel part of the global cml community.
best wishes,
sandy C ;o)