Bleeding in the lung

[aboylan]

A friend of mine is on Imbruvica and after three yrs. On a low dose (1 tablet) has developed bleeding in the left lung. Anyone ever have this problem and what was the outcome?

[AussieNeil Partner Administrator]

Do you have any more information about your friend, such as how long he has been on a low Ibrutinib dose and why? Do you happen to know his platelet levels? (I'm also bouncing your question back into the Newsfeed by asking these questions, to encourage other responses).

Neil

[aboylan in reply to AussieNeil]

He has been taking Ibrutinib since Aug 2016 and has been on 1 pill a day since Dec 2016. His platlets for the past month were 160,000.

[AussieNeil Partner Administrator in reply to aboylan]

His platelets are at a healthy level, but Ibrutinib is known to reduce platelet effectiveness. Unfortunately, I expect that he needs to keep on Ibrutinib to keep his CLL under control.

Given the lack of responses, it appears that this is a rather rare situation, so I hope other causes are being investigated.

Neil

[aboylan in reply to AussieNeil]

Thx for your response. Ibruntinib discontinued about a week ago. Today Hgb increased from 9.2 to 9.7 and WBC's are within normal range at 7. Chest drain on low suction but it appears it has stopped draining despite the fact that there is about 1.5 liters remaining in lung. He will need another procedure but still hopeful, still strong, still fighting.

[AussieNeil Partner Administrator in reply to aboylan]

Promising news on the blood counts. I hope this break enables him to recover.