4 replies to this topic

[SUE]

Hi  All,

 

Has anyone noticed a connection between Sprycel and Cellulitis?  I was dx in April, 2013 and on Gleevec for 6 months.  It was very effective against the cml, but I had terrible skin issues--big, light pink blobs all over.  After a 6 week "vacation" from medication, I went on Sprycel 50 mg.  I've been PCRU since Nov, 2014, and before that was .015 in August, 2014 and 0.149 in April, 2014.

 

I had a bad rash on my face last May, and a few days ago I developed a rash on my neck which was diagnosed as cellulitis.   It's responding to antibiotics, but now my eyelid is swollen and red(a condition I've had before).  I believe these skin issues are caused at least in part by Sprycel.  My primary doctor and my oncologist don't think so.  My primary  thinks the cml makes me more susceptible to skin infections. but my blood counts have been pretty good for months.

 

I would like to go down to 20mg of Sprycel.  My onc has not been in favor of this, and I haven't pushed.  But I'm wondering if there could be a connection and if reducing to 20mg would help.  Any thoughts?

 

Thanks,

Sue

[Buzzm1]

Wouldn't hurt to convince your Onc. to "temporarily" reduce the Sprycel dosage to 20mg to see what happens, and then be prepared to argue your case to stay on the reduced dosage when it works to alleviate your symptoms; TKI's are highly toxic and the least amount of dosage we can take while achieving, or maintaining, the desired result, within a given period of time, is preferable, especially to the patient (that's us.).   You are PCRU ... if you can maintain PCRU on 20mg, do it. ... if you can't maintain PCRU you can always go back up to regain PCRU .. I'm betting you won't have to. ... but first you need to convince your Onc. to temporarily reduce your dose to see if it improves your unwanted side-effects.

 

Good Luck to you Sue

Buzz

[Trey]

Possibly an indirect association, not from the TKI drug directly, but your constant skin rashes could lead to itching and broken skin and the resulting cellulitis infection. 

[SUE]

Buzz, that's a really good idea.  When I first went on Sprycel, the 50 mg dose was supposed to be temporary.  I went up to 70mg for a couple weeks, but side effects sent me right back to 50.  After I became PCRU, the onc stopped pushing for higher dosage.  As she said, "I can't argue with Undetectable."  Hopefully the same thing will be true if I go on 20mg, and she will again be unable to argue with Undetectable.

 

Trey, that makes a lot of sense.   In addition to the rashes, I've had very dry skin and periodic fissures on my hands and feet since going on Sprycel.  Could  these fissures could be entry points for the infection which could get transferred if I touch my  face or rub my eyes.?

 

Thanks to both  for the suggestions.

 

Sue

[Trey]

I've had very dry skin and periodic fissures on my hands and feet since going on Sprycel.  Could  these fissures could be entry points for the infection which could get transferred if I touch my  face or rub my eyes.?

 

Absolutely.  Do not touch the lesions until this clears up.  You could spread the bacteria from one spot to another.