21 replies to this topic

[0vercast]

Is a person's immune system weakened or compromised in any way while taking a TKI such as Gleevec?

Thanks, Joe

[Trey]

No, unless CBC counts are very low.

[0vercast]

Well, that was quick.  CBC counts are almost perfect, with hemoglobin just a hair low.  I'm curious because I just had surgery yesterday and I'm not feeling so hot.  Maybe allergies, or it could be that the painkillers don't agree with me.

Thanks

[Trey]

Did you ever feel "not so hot" before CML?  Me too.

[hannibellemo]

I had to laugh. How many times did you all hear me complain about my sinus issues and the weird rash on my toes? Guess what? I've been off Sprycel for 7+ weeks and I still have occasional sinus complaints and the rash appeared once again last week.

Amazingly enough, all our physical woes (and probably some of our mental ones as well) can't be blamed on the TKIs. You probably won't believe me unless someday you get a chance to test it, I wouldn't have either.

Pat

[cousineg]

See this article:

NK cells  are dysfunctional in human chronic myelogenous leukemia before and on imatinib treatment and in BCR-ABL-positive mice

More information about NK cells

[Trey]

Due to the redundancies built into the  immune system, the answer remains that our immune system functions just fine. 

[CallMeLucky]

I've gotten sick since I have been on TKI drugs and I have gotten better.  Everything seems to be working pretty much the way it did before. 

[Dana]

I was diagnosed 8/03 & took Gleevec for 5 years & then Sprycel, which I am still on 100 mg.  My side effects got really a lot better on Sprycel, however, I keep getting upper respiratory infections.  I have been to so many Drs. & they keep giving me antibiotics?  I even get MRSA at least once a year somewhere in or n my body!  Last year I had an ear infection for 6 mths & ended up with MRSA in my inner ear!  I keep getting infections about ever 3 - 4 weeks ever since I have had CML.  I can't help but blame my immune system!  Not sure what to do.

Dana

[CallMeLucky]

Upper respitory problems seem to be an issue with Sprycel.  Not sure if that is overall immune system, may be Sprycel related.

[Sneezy12]

Why did you fail Gleevec?

TKI's should not affect your Immune System. Therefore, I would ask your Physician to investigate that area with Immune Globulin studies, T-Cell studies, a Leukocyte Function evaluation, etc. An experienced Allergist-Immunologist could easily do this. Regards, Frank

[TeddyB]

Does this mean i shouldnt run off to the doctor and ask for antibiotics every time i get a fever and a sore throat, or fever in general? The body should be able to handle this fine on its own? (My counts are good, just a bit low HGB 12.7)

My 2 kids bring home every bacteria known to mankind from their kindergarten, and im usually the one washing their hands when they get home

[hannibellemo]

Hi, TeddyB,

IMHO, no one should run to the doctor to get antibiotics everytime we get a sniffle, sneeze, sore throat, fever, etc. Also, no doctor worth his/her salt should go along with the request unless tests show there is a true need for one. We tend to forget that fevers are the bodies way of fighting off an infection. It's only when they get too high that there is a concern.

This over prescribing of antibiotics is getting us in trouble with development of resistant bacteria. Our bodies are amazingly good at fighting off most viruses, which BTW, antibiotics won't touch, and even many bacterial infections if we pay attention to our body's needs of, rest, fluids, and good nutrition.

Do we ever need antibiotics? Of course. Make sure when you do need them to take them as directed.

Pat

[Trey]

It is not your immune system, but rather the increased moisture in the soft tissues due to the Sprycel (soft tissue edema).  Bacteria grows far more easily in a moist environment. 

At the first sign of a sinus infection the sinuses should be flushed with saline solution (salt water) sprayed up the nostrils (lots of it).  Much more effective. 

[TeddyB]

Pat: Ive only had to go on AB one time after DX and that was for a nasty throat infection with high fever, this was also a time when my blood values and wbc were low.

I got some antibiotic cream for a stye on my eyelid a few weeks ago though.

Im still fairly new to all this, and the first time i had fever after dx i was kind of stressed out, since no one had told me what to do if i got one.

[TeddyB]

Trey: This is the case with Gleevec as well?

[Susan61]

Hi:  I agree, and you can make yourself nuts with all these crazy things.  I have bad allergies, and it ends up with me getting sinus trouble which drips into my chest and then I end up with Bronchitis which has gone into Pneumonia for me.  I get my Pneumonia shot when its due, and I am getting ready to get my FLU shot also.  I do the FLU shot every year, and I have done very well.  Its just that one year that I got so sick, and still do not know what happened. It was the year they gave me the Pneumonia and Flu Shot the same day.  Its not supposed to be a active virus, but my family all say if something is going around that I would be the one to get it.  Who Knows Why?  I stopped trying to figure it out.

Just hoping I have a decent Winter Ahead regarding being sick with one thing or another.  Also, wish everyone here to do well also.

Susan

[GerryL]

Hi Teddy,

If your counts are pretty normal, then your immune system should be like it was prior to CML. Though you have little ones and their immune systems are learning to cope with coughs and colds etc, so they will be passing on lots of virus' to you.

[Trey]

Any TKI can cause edema as a side effect, depending on the person.

[TeddyB]

Thanks GerryL and Trey