Blood test or Not?

[haposwald]

Blood test or Not???

Due for another blood work up in the next week already have contacted Dr waiting for response! I’ve been on imbrutinib 420mg 1x daily for 11 months and wbc is down to 11,400 feeling great but truly concerned about contracting covid 19 @ the local quest office. I’m a very hard stick and have developed a good relationship with one phlebotomist but not sure if it’s the safest place in my world. Of course will wait to hear from Dr what’s everyone’s thoughts thanks in advance

[cajunjeff]

You are right, your doctor is in the best position to balance how important your monitoring is when compared to the risk of breaking isolation, even in such a controlled environment.

I started ibrutinib after some complications so I started out having weekly labs. That went to monthly labs. At six months on ibrutinib it went to labs every three months.

In my second year on ibrutinib I actually went six months without labs. I think that was a mistake, now I am back to every three months.

Thats all a long way of saying that I think monitoring kind of varies from doctor to doctor to patient to patient. Ibrutinib is such a steady drug, labs can be spread out a bit. You answered your own question by writing you would wait for drs instructions. It seemed like you wanted community feedback anyway, so this was my experience.

[haposwald in reply to cajunjeff]

thanks always love to hear my thoughts are ok or maybe a different route that could help someone or me in any way

[antonb]

I would say you can postpone it .....except your dr ordered different tests that might be important for him to know . What are your B2 microglobulin and DHL numbers ? this is important as your other RCC , blood plateleles HBG

[haposwald in reply to antonb]

I looked over last blood report only high items. Wbc 14.400 , MPC was I little high as were lymphocytes and basophils close to normal though

[Whatayear]

Does your insurance and location allow for you to have a home health nurse come out to draw labs. Just a thought

[haposwald in reply to Whatayear]

Great idea thanks!

[virdieblue]

In the US we are locked down by state not national decree. So In New York we are locked down - I'm not sure for how long. All day yesterday we got phone calls from assorted doctor's offices cancelling or delaying scheduled appointments.

I haven't heard about my April 2 onc/hem appointment yet and will email Monday. Maybe we could meet in the parking lot?

Virginia

[haposwald in reply to virdieblue]

True I’m in California so understood but I’d think bloodwork for all of us is or at least can be critical? I don’t have appy til 5/15 but was doing monthly blood work to keep an eye on things

[Whatayear in reply to virdieblue]

Hi there, Arizona here. I did go in for my labs last week and have a tele appt. In the morning.

[kathymac52]

My husband is going to contact his doctor as well....he has a monthly draw and his numbers are in the low normal on Ibrutinib...

[haposwald in reply to kathymac52]

I’m just a little above the high normal and thinking I’ll be fine sent email to on/hema and haven’t heard back but understand as I’m sure more pressing matters maybe that a question I could or should ask here. While on imbrutinib is the issues with WBC falling to low??

[DriedSeaweed]

I just try to go to my lab when noone is there. With 24 hour labs this is possible.

[haposwald in reply to DriedSeaweed]

Don’t have 24 hour labs in my area !