4 replies to this topic

[Pin]

So I had my first vomiting session with Gleevec last night. Mostly I've been able to get through the nausea, it's generally mild enough that I don't need to actually vomit - Also, since I've been taking it late at night around 2-3 hours after eating dinner, I have had no nausea at all. Problem last night was I didn't eat enough at dinner and then decided about half an hour after my meds that I was hungry, so I had a small snack (bread and half a cup of soup). Cue vomiting. Lesson learned.

I now have a face full of petechiae, which looks pretty awful, it seems to be the worst around my eyes and chin. Ugh. I know it will go away in a few days, as I frequently get these marks all over me - often on my hands or anywhere that my skin gets accidently rubbed or bumped.

Anyway, so this brings me to my actual question - Has anyone received any information from their doctors about this? I know some of you have experienced petechiae before, and generally we are told that it is not a problem, but what I want to know is, if it is caused by dysfunctional platelets (i.e., mine are at normal levels currently - 180) am I at increased risk of bleeding elsewhere? And/or does it mean my blood vessels are somehow weaker? I am wondering if it can have this effect close to the skin, am I at a higher risk for internal bleeding as well, or does it only affect the smallest blood vessels (e.g., closest to the skin)?

Pin.

[Mayra]

Pin, I sometimes get petechia on different parts of my body (face, earlobe, chest etc..) I've had my blood tested a day or two after and my platelets have been fine.  Maybe the petechia was caused by the vomiting.  My doctor doesn't seem to concerned when it happens to me.   Hope they go ways soon.

Mayra

[Trey]

There are two issues with platelets: 1) proper numbers as indicated by the CBC, and 2) functionality.  Platelets can be adequate in numbers yet too "slippery" for the task of clotting.  This dysfunction can be minor or major.  CML and the TKI drugs can cause platelet dysfunction for some patients.  A second issue is blood vessel strength, which can be affected by the CML and drugs causing capillary breakage (eye bleeds, etc).  I do not know if one of these is your issue, but it could be.

Overall, if when cut the bleeding seems to stop normally, then that aspect should not be a cause for worry.  This is true of anywhere in the body, including internally.  Your petechiae (if that is what it is, and not a rash) might improve on another drug.

http://www.bing.com/...electedIndex=41

[Pin]

Thanks Mayra, it's good to know that they aren't worried about it, and yes - it was definitely caused by vomiting, I think it can happen in normal people too (but I imagine they would be violently throwing up for hours to get what happened to me in 20 seconds!).

[Pin]

Thanks Trey - I think the vessel strength must be an issue for me as well. I don't have as much trouble with cuts bleeding profusely as much as when I first started on Gleevec, so I think my platelets are doing a good job. I definitely have 'skin thinning' issues as well as I cut and scrape very easily with minor bumps, so I think that if I have that, it is just as likely that I have 'vessel thinning' issues too - anyway, I guess I was just wondering if I am more at risk for something like brain haemorrhaging. I know that seems like a long shot, but I get awful headaches from getting knocked in the head at soccer (usually by a ball), much more than I used to and sometimes I worry that I am putting myself at risk. Hopefully it's just regular headache, I'm sure if it were anything more I'd know about it..