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PCR Question

HI all
My results have gone from 3.4 to 3.2 in about 7 months on Dasatanib, part of me was hoping they would be better than that but my consultant seems ok with them as he doesn't set too much store by PCR results. What do others think? Should I just be glad its gone down rather than hoping for more?
Thanks
K

I guess as we all react differently to the drugs I think that if it is going down then that is a good sign.

Also if it is going down and the side effects/impact to your life is good then sounds ok to me

not sure what the consultant means by what he said? how else does he/she measure your success?

rob - http://cmlblog.spaces.live.com

I guess as the trend is going in the right direction I should accept it but we all want the Holy Grail of 0.1 and it doesn't seem to be going down quick enough! He seems to look at the other counts and as long as they are ok he doesn't worry.
Great thunder storm here at the moment!
K

Hi Karena

I am inclined to say that the change in your PCR is really insignificant (sorry) and that the levels really are identical. I think that if your next PCR doesn't show any significant drop ie 1 log then you should be asking about increasing the dose or checking the levels of drug in your blood. How long do you have between PCR tests? Are you on the max. dosage of Dasatanib?

This constant waiting for test, result, discussion, test, result, discussion is so wearing. I think the PCR is important, we all like to latch onto the numbers and watch them reduce, it really does help but I guess it is all a balancing act.

Maybe ask your Consultant what his plan of action would be if your PCR is still fairly stable after a year on Dasatanib?

regards

Susan

Hi Susan

I am on 100mg of Dasatanib a day (2 x tablets) and have been since Christmas. This is only my second PCR on Dasatanib so I think the gaps are around 4 - 6 months. I agree that if the next one isn't different then I may have to ask a few more questions. Mind you I guess the options get more limited if they decide this isn't working!!!
Best wishes
K

Early Days,Its a small reduction but hey overtime these add up,its good news and I for one would swap results with you,
depending on white cell counts and plattlets,its quite common for a uplift in dosage to do better,we react to drugs in different ways please dont worry.