low platelets and venetoclax

[greygirl]

I have been on venetoclax for 3 months and only my platelet count is dropping. Has anyone had the same phenomenon? Also my protein(low), albumin (low)and albumin/globulin ratio (high)continue abnormal also. I am waiting to see what Onc will say about this.

[t2aa]

Hmmm, I have had pretty awesome results with Venetoclax. I have been on it for 4 weeks am my labs are now normal. Platelets actually went up, as did my Neutrophils, while the Leukocytes went down.

Are you taking anything else with it? I am also taking Rituximab.

I hope it all starts working for you soon.

[greygirl in reply to t2aa]

no, no rituxin. my neutrophils have been normal since beginning.

[Newdawn Administrator]

My platelets are bouncing around on Venetoclax but I’m also on Ibrutinib too so maybe to be expected. I’m on 3 months into Venetoclax and they were at 90 time before last but bounced back last time to 140. There’s always a risk of lab inaccuracies with platelets if there’s a difficult blood let and mine had been challenging!

Hope things stabilise for you greygirl.

Newdawn

[greygirl in reply to Newdawn]

yeah, there is a phlebotomist at cancer center that thinks she can fool me. I asked for a butterfly needle as my veins are very small and roll. She went and pierced my vein with a regular size needle. If I complain worse things could happen.

[Peacekeeper]

Been on Venetoclax for 11 mths now. Neutrophils and platelets both pulled down by it and ibrutinib previously. This more an individual effect as some users get no side effects like this.

Need Neutrophil boosting 3 times a week to get by as my marrow has had a lot of treatment over the past 17 years so is a bit worn out. The platelets were around 44 but after influenza A last week now 88 after dropping to 33. Strange but could mean bone marrow improving.

My bone marrow is close to Minimal residual ie only 0.5% bad cells present and that was 3 months ago.

My protein(low), albumin (low) but only just under minimal range. Doc not worried about that as rest of my chemistry results including liver functions are fine.

[greygirl in reply to Peacekeeper]

my doc said same thing-that as long liver tests normal not worry. I have never had albumin, globulin or ratio ever go abnormal on me yet.

[Patc890USA]

I’ve on Venetoclax since Jan. 2019 and all may number are good except platelets which are around 90. My doctor and doctors at NIH said is expected with Venetoclax and are not concerned unless it goes a lot lower.

[greygirl in reply to Patc890USA]

have your platelets progressively gone down since you started? Mine have.

[Patc890USA in reply to greygirl]

The actually went up a bit at the start and the dropped to the 80-90 range and they’ve been they since.

[Nicebaps]

I am just on Venetoclax and have been for over two years now. Am permently neutropenic but my platelets are at about 100 which is OK for me considering they were zero in July 2017.

[greygirl in reply to Nicebaps]

0 platelets???? How did you survive without bleeding to death?

[Ontheblock4m]

Thrombocytopenia is common side effect w v. If levels drop into 30 range consider reducing dose of V. to 300 mg/d and see response. Neutropenia May also improve.

[greygirl in reply to Ontheblock4m]

I have been on 100mg only.

[IRN83]

When I started the Venetoclax ramp up I had nearly identical issues as you. My oncologist was concerned that I wouldn’t be able to continue this treatment and would have to try experimental meds. But he reduced my V to 100mg (25%) and then started Gazyva. The Gazyva has absolutely turned things around. I hope things turn around for you also.

[mickimauser11]

I had a drop in platelets when I started OV but only temporarily I think it happens also when other immunecells are defect as well. CLL is an immunesystem issue not just a B cell malignancy so if the decrease is only shortly I think there is no problem with continuing treatment.