Gazyva and Low Platelet Count?

[msccsm11]

Hi all.

I completed the first 1000mg of Gazyva last week and am scheduled for round two in a couple days. I don’t have the actual numbers, but white blood cell, red blood dell and lymphocyte counts are all “looking good”. My oncologist said the drop in platelet count was unexpected.

He immediately put me on 80mg of Prednisone last night and is looking into a potential infusion of ivIG, which I wasn’t familiar with.

Any similar stories to share?

[Smith123456]

my platelets dropped a few times as i've had my gazyva infusions. both my doctors says platelet drops happen with gazyva. my platelets recovered the longer time since last infusion.

[DRM18]

Mine dropped too, but never too much, & never for too long. It is a common effect, though.

[dvd1955]

Just had my first round of Gazyva. They are taking blood samples next Monday, so will see if I see similar results. I'll try to remember to post here what I see.

[dvd1955 in reply to dvd1955]

Platelets dropped dramatically. They are delaying my second treatment of Gazyva for one week to see if they recover. They did not add any medications for bringing the count up.

[Balsamfir]

My husband just started Gazyva as well and also experienced a drop in platelet count. Pre- treatment platelet level was 150 (140-400 K/ul) and after start up regimen of half dose infusions on 8/6/20 and 8/7/20, his platelet count was 77 one week later. By 8/21, it had rebounded to 121.

Most amazingly, his ALC dropped from 94.21 (1.0-4.8) pre-treatment to 1.65 after just two half dose sessions!!!

Wishing you wonderful results on your new treatment journey...❤️

Nancy

[gardenman68 in reply to Balsamfir]

Hello! My husband's numbers dropped also after 2 treatments! All within normal range. His glands have all returned to normal size. And they were huge! He did have his third dose, but now the doctor is suspending treatment for at least one week. Please keep me posted!

[gardenman68]

This is an amazing treatment. My husband had blood work just prior to his third treatment. His numbers have plummeted to normal range! They have suspended his treatment for one week. We are thrilled. He does receive some type of steroid with each infusion, but not sure what it is. He didn't ask, and I am unable to be there because of Covid.

[MsLockYourPosts Passed Volunteer in reply to gardenman68]

The protocol calls for IV Benedryl, a steroid (I got dexamethasone) and Tylenol for the day 1/2 infusions. After that it calls for Tylenol alone if there was no significant reaction. My doctor added Claritin.

[Eliotf]

Hello, I was put on 60mg prednisone for a different reason. Just don’t stay on it a long time. Ivig is really good. It will help prevent most infections. Best advise is to have two way conversations & tell your do& nurses everything you are feeling that is not your normal. Ivig takes a few hours

[Motoli]

My wife has a severe drop in platelets (they came down to as low 14) due to obinutuzumab possibly causing an autoimmune reaction (she had giant platelets) She was able to complete the full 6 cycles (in the context of v+o) but received at least 4 platelet transfusions. The IgG is very helpful for this type of situations. After the 4th cycle, platelet started trending upwards and they are normal now.

The v+o treatment is very effective. She still has 2.5 more months of venetoclax ahead and there will be an evaluation (CT, UMRD, bone marrow) by mid October. She Will be restaged at that point.

Cheers.