Have begun Gazyva and soon to begin venetoclax

[ronsolo306]

I'm a 77 y/o Caucasian male. Diagnosed with CLL in 2005. Treatment free until this week. Began with Gazyva infusion Thursday, small issue with first 100 ml (quickly resolved) and no further problems with the next day's 900 ml. If everything stays on track, I will begin the ramp up process with venetoclax in 2 weeks. Can you give your thoughts on being admitted to a hospital for the first couple of days of the first 2 ramp up weeks in order to easier and better monitor the results.

Thanks in advance for your response, any and all input, and your interest.

Ron

[Smith123456]

i am on imbruvica/venclexta/gazyva. i started them in that order. I was outpatient for all of them.

[ronsolo306 in reply to Smith123456]

Thanks for your reply and I hope that your results are Great!

[DRM18]

I was an outpatient for all of it. My doctor wanted to admit me for the first two Gazyva infusions, but the hospital rejected the idea, so I just went to the local infusion clinic with no issues. I was given IV infusions (and labs) every day for the first week, though. Then, when it was time for the Venetoclax, the Gazyva had already done so much heavy lifting that I was no longer deemed a high risk for tumor lysis syndrome. Thus, my outpatientness continued, no issues. Hope your experience is as smooth!

[ronsolo306 in reply to DRM18]

Thank you

[DRM18 in reply to ronsolo306]

I should mention that my daily IV infusions that first week were just hydration. They didn’t trust me to drink enough water. But I drank over 100 ounces anyways lol!

[lankisterguy Volunteer]

Hi Ron,

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We have had numerous members go through the process you describe- you can find some of their postings on this page in the box labeled: Related Posts

*Started Gazyva and Venetoclax

*Middle of Venetoclax and Gazyva combo MDA

*Gazyva and Venetoclax

*Obinutuzumab (Gazyva) plus Venetoclax (Venclexta) Progress Note

*Obinutuzimab (Gazyva) and Venetoclax mid treatment update message to NEWCOMERS

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I did not have the luxury of using Gazyva to get me from hi risk to low risk, so I spent 30 hours during each of the first two weeks in the hospital on an IV drip.

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I much preferred the outpatient procedure for the next 3 weeks where I arrived early morning at the CLL clinic waiting room and had a blood draw, and as soon as the PA got my results, I took the Venetoclax dose, then had blood drawn at 4 hours and 8 hours, and then came back the next morning for another blood test.

That way I was not confined to a bed and had freedom to roam around without a IV pole. I got the same blood tests and the same PA reading the results, but without the discomfort and lack of sleep (noisy hospital area with infusion pumps beeping, and nurses waking me up to check vitals at inconvenient times).

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Len

[ronsolo306 in reply to lankisterguy]

Thank you very much and best wishes

Ron

[LovelyLilyGirl]

Started Gazyva infusions in March. I had same slight allergic reaction with 1st one but smooth sailing afterwards ( finished 9th infusion July 31)

I started my Venetroclax ramp up in April. I did it from home, no hospitalization. I just drank a ton of water and they did labs quite often that first week of ramp up. Now I am on my 400 mg maintenance dosage, no side effects, labs look great. Hoping to reach remission by April (planned 1year of Venetroclax) and have a nice long “vacation“ from CLL.

Wishing you the best. I feel for myself this drug combination has been a miracle.

Sally 💪💪🙏🏻🙏🏻

[ronsolo306 in reply to LovelyLilyGirl]

Thank you Sally, enjoy that Long "vacation".

Ron

[Elam]

I started similar treatment about 1 year ago. I also had bendamustine since I had a rather large internal lymph node. I am 71 year old male. No hospital stays. Biggest issue neutropenia about 6 months into Venetoclax. Stopped treatment in April this year after off and on the Venetoclax at lower doses due to low neut#. CLL under control but still dealing with neutropenia. Watch those numbers carefully and be proactive.

[ronsolo306 in reply to Elam]

Thanks for the info

[jijic]

I wasn't admitted to hospital, but I'm 38 and have no comorbidities. I did, however, stay in a hotel near the doctor's office just in case, but it was unnecessary (yet made my life easier since Gazyva began at 8am!)

[ronsolo306 in reply to jijic]

Thanks