9 replies to this topic

[cfroncz1]

I need some advice. My 6 year old son was just confirmed as having strep throat. I have been on Gleevec now for about 2 months. Of course, I am trying to stay away from him, but what happens if I catch it? Will I need to go into the hospital? I am a panicked wreck right now. Any advice is appreciated.

Thanks,
Cheryl 

[HeatherZ]

Hugs to you and your son - strep throat sucks.  On the upside - you will be fine.  You are no more likely to catch it now than you were pre-Gleevec.  Just take precautions to avoid the saliva and wash your hands.  If you do catch it, you will likey suffer no more than you would if you weren't on Gleevec.  Even if your WBC is a little low, the majority of your white cells are likely "good" ones that can efficiently take care of you.  Of course, just like pre-Gleevec, if you start to show symptoms, call your doctor right away to get a test and antibiotics if needed.

Heather

[CallMeLucky]

Call your doctor if you run a fever or show signs of infection (this is standard protocol for us anyway).

Odds are you won't catch it.

[Marnie]

HI, Cheryl. . .

When I was first diagnosed 2 years ago, I was really paranoid about catching things from people.  I teach middle school and am around germy kids every day.

Oddly enough, I've had my healthiest years at school since diagnosis.  I used to get really sick at the beginning of every schoolyear and the nagging cough would last for months.  I am far less paranoid now about getting sick, and I'm still around sick kids every day.  I baby myself a bit. . if I start coming down with something, I take an annual leave day and stay home. .. but I don't worry about catching things from sick people any more.

Good luck, and mellow out.  You'll be fine.

Marnie

[cfroncz1]

Thanks for the replies!! I am trying not to freak out, but it is really hard!!! My kids are always bringing something home and it is really hard not to catch anything. I called the dr. and they didn't seem concerned in the least. They said call my primary if I get a fever or sore throat and they'll give me an antibiotic. We'll see what happens tomorrow!! Thanks!!!

[Trey]

Unless someone with CML has extremely low white blood counts, then you should do what you would have done before you had CML.

[starlago]

Since my diagnosis 2/2010,  I have had five bouts of respiratory episodes - all of which started with a sore throat and included mild fever.  Blood counts are good and my oncologists dismiss a correlation to CML or sprycel, but I do not.  Until my diagnosis, this was not my pattern.  I think you are wise to be careful - lots of hand washing - on occasion I have worn a mask.

I

[GerryL]

Hi Cheryl,

I've been on Gleevec for 10 months now - I didn't tend to get coughs and colds prior to diagnosis and don't get them now. The one thing that might contribute to you being more likely to get sick would be the stress you feel from disgnosis putting extra pressure on your immune system. I take vitamin C everyday, which helps with iron levels and also helps with sinus conditions.

Gerry

[Teresabourgeois]

I was been on Sprycel for 3 months now and have coughed severely since then.  Now I have a fever and it feels like a ton of bricks is on my chest.  My general dr. did a chest xray and said it tooks normal.  He did put me on a antibotic and this is the second time in 3 months that I have been on a antibotic.  If you read the side effects of Sprycel it clearing says "cough"  But when I tell my oncologist about it, she looks puzzled at me and wants to blame it on something besides Leukemia or Sprycel.  I've now realized that our Dr.'s want to win.  They want to treat us and take the credit for the outcome.  But not it there are issues.  

[Trey]

Sprycel can cause fluid on the lungs (pleural effusion) and it is possible that it is not showing up yet on the xray.  You will want to monitor that issue.