Venetoclax ramp up week 2

[t2aa]

I write this as I am on my way home from the two day ramp up process for week 2 of Venetoclax.

I am happy to report that things are going amazingly well! My blood lab results are completely stable from last week and are completely normal. No highs, and no lows!

Side effects have been minimal. Slight nausea now and then that can be fixed with water. Fatigue is an issue but is getting better so some days I don’t have any at all. Nodes are still shrinking and pain is gone. I did notice a little swelling in my legs yesterday that was not there before, but gone this morning.

I met another man in the waiting room going through the same treatment, same doctor and he was having similar results. No hospital for either of us, just long days at the clinic.

The following weeks will be only a one day process.

The nurse did tell me that not everyone has such great results. She told me of a patient they had last week that suffered such bad tumor lysis syndrome that several organs shut down.

I like to think that I am a great example of why earlier treatment is a good thing with this novel drug. My tumor load was less and I am having really great results.

I did have 4 weeks of Rituximab before starting the Venetoclax.

[MelioraDay]

Congratulations on your great report! It will be interesting to see clinical trials regarding outcomes of earlier treatment with Venetoclax. My ALC was only about 26k when I started treatment front line monotherapy with Venetoclax based on extreme fatigue. I did my ramp up outpatient with good oral hydration. I had an apartment that was walking distance to the cancer center so I just walked over for the three required blood test with each ramp up. I didn’t even have to sit in the clinic. My fatigue resolved, I’ve had no side effects and I’m living a totally normal life. I consider myself very fortunate to have had treatment relatively early before other problems necessitated treatment. Venetoclax has given me my life back.

[t2aa in reply to MelioraDay]

That is awesome. This drug is really amazing! I think it is going to change watch and wait times for CLL patients to earlier treatment when symptoms start up.

[roszika]

good one . Keep it up. I did not have any trouble on my recent ramp up

[ChrisLovesLife]

That combo has been my cocktail only in reverse, ramp up on Venetoclax first, then Rituxan. Finished with that now and on daily Venetoclax now. Having great results and sounds like you are, too! I have to watch my hydration on a daily basis, it helps to have a Hydroflask sippy cup with a straw and I use a product called Liquid IV with my water on tough health days or hot days to stay completely hydrated. Congratulations on your results and all the best on your journey!