Today I start taking Imbruvica

[12Caine12]

I'm a 65 YO male, in excellent physical condition with no other ailments other than CLL. I have all the good genetic markers. I've had the disease for at least 7 years. I have no real symptoms other than a swollen lymph node several years ago that went down after about 2 months. I feel about as good as any 65 YO man should, or better maybe. My Dr let me decide between chemo or the pill, and after a couple of months of contemplating I chose the forever pill. I won't go into why but I'm pretty comfortable with my decision. For those that have to make a decision in the future I will post occasional updates on how this goes for me. It's important to note no 2 people are alike but it may be helpful for some of you out there, as some of the posts on this site were for me .

[MsLockYourPosts Passed Volunteer]

The good news about "the forever pill" is that it may not be. Some of the combinations that include it are showing amazing results, and who knows how the next generation of treatments will hit CLL. I hope this is your miracle pill, as it has been for many.

[DisneyMom]

Can I ask what made you decide to start treatment? I was under the impression that if you're feeling well and are not symptomatic, treatment could wait. (I'm fairly new to this whole thing and still learning. )

Carol 🇨🇦

[12Caine12 in reply to DisneyMom]

My bone marrow biopsy showed 80% cll cells 20% healthy. My blood counts weren't all in the normal range (some were) but they were still in the w&w phase except for my neutrophils, which were plummeting.

[josephinef]

I hope that you’re ibrutinib medication is as smooth going as it was for me when I first started 2 years ago. All the very best with your treatment 12Caine12.

Take care.

Good health for all of us always.

Kind regards,

Josephine from Australia 😊

[Canuck901]

What are your markers ? Lots of people your age are getting into trials and using the combo therapies acalabrutnib and Venetoclax or Ibruntnib and Venetoclax.

Did your CLL specialist look into these trials for you ?

[littledab]

Hi

I started on imbruvica and i feel great!! I have CLL

My wb was 230,000 went down to 115,000

Just got my blood done on Friday hopefully it went down more will find out on Monday!! My bone marrow was 95% cancer.. so hoping this pill 💊 is a miracle

You will do fine

I am glad i am on the pill than chemo

I believe we made the right choice..

Take care