Hi my name is Stuart.
This is my story so far.
For the last 8 years I have been suffering from rheumatoid arthritis.
I have been on constant medication to help to control the Arthritis this has consisted of Dicolfenac Sodium 75mg daily occasionally up to 150 mg depending on my joints.
On top of this I was also on various disease modifying drugs to try to control this condition
The drugs which I have taken were as follows are Plainwell for 2 years then Methotrexate for 2 years (I did not take this as often as I should of due to the way it made me feel)
Then I started on Sulfasalazine in November 2008.
none of these drugs helped with my arthritis or rather no benefit was ever felt.
All of these drugs required regular blood test to monitor the effects on my system my wcc was always around 6.3
from November to march my white blood cell count started to increase. Initially we thought that this was because of the Sulfasalazine so that drug was stopped on the 3rd march 2009
I was then referred to a hematologist who took a blood sample
then another sample after a few weeks to eliminate the Sulfasalazine as the cause for the increase in white cells.
when it became apparent that the white cell problem was something new he requested that I underwent a bone marrow biopsy
that was done the same day. I then waited for the results.
once the results come through I was contacted and then went to see the consultant who then informed me that he suspected CML as being the cause of the white cell increase.
This was a bit of a shock to the system to say in the least.
I then started on a course of Hydroxycarbamide and Allopurinol I had blood test done on a weekly basis, after 2 weeks I went back to the consultant who took another blood test and found that my white cell count had come down to a white cell count of 46
He then suggested that I stay on Hydroxycarbamide on a higher dosage for a further 2 weeks to reduce the white cell count further before starting with Glivec.
On a positive note since starting with the Hydroxycarbramide my joints improved noticeably to the point where I now feel better than any other time in the last 8 years.
I am getting used to the idea that I have CML
Generally I felt slightly numb and confused at first
(bit of a shock to the system)
But I am now feeling a little more optimistic after reading all the information that has been presented to me from the hospital and from information I found on the web relating to CML.
thanks to the site and for the chance to express myself.
Stuart.
