Unpredictable health.

[Beryl71]

So on Tuesday I was celebrating my neutrophils being 1.9 and my tumour markers being down again. Today I'm in hospital with kidney infection. I'd had a bit of a urinary problem but thought that as I was feeling well, I'd flush it through and fight it off. Then this week I went downhill rapidly.

So my perception is that from now on I probably have to take every small health issue more seriously than before.

And I was planning a trip to Scotland this week to see my new partner, after a lovely week together a couple of weeks ago. No doubt I'll have to take advice on that.

Hugs to all you lovely ladies.

Carolyn

[Teddielottie]

Wishing you Carolyn a speedy recovery from the kidney infection and that you can soon continue with all your plans ! But glad you had good news on the rise in neutrophils and reduced CA15/3 markers . Sending love x 💕

[Sunnydrinking]

Hi Carolyn

Sorry to hear you are in hospital & I wish you a speedy recovery.

I so hope you get to go to Scotland to visit your partner feeling fit & well 🤞

Jo xx

[Hazelgreen]

AArgh! It seems strange that your white blood cells looked improved on Tuesday, and, four days later, wham! I'll have to learn more about infection-fighting in our bodies. In the mean time, I hope the medics are getting yours under control without reducing your level of neutrophils. Thanks for the advice about taking all our health issues seriously.

Warmest of wishes for your continued health, Carolyn!

XXX,

Cindy

[Beryl71 in reply to Hazelgreen]

They won't let me take palbociclib when I'm on antibiotics. I think I need to raise this with my GP, as they have prescribed them several times without mentioning my pills. They seemed to think that could knock my neutrophils down. I know urinary infections can move up the urinary tract and can develop into sepsis, hence the worry and quick action.

[Hazelgreen in reply to Beryl71]

Do you know why you can't take antibiotics with palbociclib? Since antibiotics presumably assist your white blood cells in fighting infections, while palbociclib seems to lower the level of white blood cells, you'd think the antibiotics would help counteract that effect... So much is going on at the cellular level in our bodies, I wonder how much the physicians really understand the rationale behind their pronouncements. However, perhaps the Pfizer researchers set out that advice in the drug pamphlets.

[Beryl71 in reply to Hazelgreen]

They seemed to think that would risk me having low neutrophils and counteract effect of antibiotics. I'm getting big shots of intravenous antibiotics. I was on a drip to start with.

[Hazelgreen in reply to Beryl71]

According to Medical News Today (online), "Antibiotics are drugs that treat bacterial infections. Taking certain antibiotics with Ibrance can increase the levels of Ibrance in your body. This can increase your risk of getting side effects from Ibrance."

Ibrance is the brand name for palbociclib in North America. Is that the same name in the UK?

[Beryl71 in reply to Hazelgreen]

Yes. There's obviously a few issues so better to be safe. And given that low neutrophils are a side effect, I definitely don't need that when fighting infection.

[Hazelgreen in reply to Beryl71]

It is interesting that it is not a good thing to have increased levels of Ibrance in your body. Anyway, thanks for the discussion, Carolyn. My best wishes for your continued health, and a happy visit to the Hebrides!

XXX,

Cindy

[Missmaddie615]

So sorry to hear about your kidney infection - I hope the antibiotics work fast and you feel better soon! Fingers crossed you get to go to Scotland soon!

[lynnhbtb]

Get better soon.

[BARBIE70]

Oh bless you ,I hope it clears up quickly and you’ll soon be on your way to Scotland again .Sending healing hugs xxx

[Hidden]

Sorry you are in hospital Carolyn. I hope the abs sort the AKI out nice and quickly so you can get to Scotland.On the positive side, at least the infection is not cancer related and once over it you can continue as before.

Get well soon

Clare

[Beryl71 in reply to Hidden]

That's true, more meds related due to low immune system. So back to the challenge of planning ahead as something small can become something big rather quickly. If I stay til tomorrow at least the oncology team can review me. Thank you.

[Justme153]

Sorry you are in the hospital! I hope all goes well and you are back to your trip planning soon. Get Well Soon!!

[Dawn53094]

Those can be very harsh infections. Hopefully your better.

[Beryl71 in reply to Dawn53094]

Still in hospital and I suppose I'm hoping for some advice on how to avoid situations like this in future. I had a bad infection a couple of months ago. I've been trying to be careful. Thanks for your good wishes. X

[Gingerann1 in reply to Beryl71]

Sorry to hear you are in the hospital. I’ve had 3 UTI’s since March and also worry that they could become more serious quickly. Stayed on my Ibrance during treatment. I have maintained my neutrophils at 1.8 since starting Ibrance and Faslodex 8 months ago. How was it determined that it moved from a UTI to a kidney infection? Wishing you a speedy recovery.

[Beryl71 in reply to Gingerann1]

I don't know. My first symptoms passed by quickly so I didn't go to GP. Assumed that as I was well I'd fought it off. Then a few days ago developed pain in my abdomen which escalated quickly. My neutrophils dipped in May to .9 when I had an infection. Before that point they hadn't given me the figures.

[Bettybuckets in reply to Beryl71]

Did they say anything about taking more water on board? Perhaps you were dehydrated?

[Beryl71 in reply to Bettybuckets]

I drink loads. I'd been peeing for England!

[Gingerann1]

When you had the pain in your abdomen how was it determined that it was a kidney infection and bad enough to be hospitalized? What test is done for that?

[Beryl71 in reply to Gingerann1]

I was in severe pain making me sick. I couldn't eat. My GP did urine test and looked at the evidence and in view of immunotherapy thought it best, consultant agreed to assess me. When I arrived I had more tests then they wanted x-ray to check there was no further spread of infection and a scan of my kidneys. They've mentioned doing cultures of blood and urine and evidence they're finding. I'm waiting for an update. My temperature keeps rising and pain has moved to my back now. I know they take UTIs seriously as they can turn to sepsis if left.

[Beryl71 in reply to Gingerann1]

complications of a UTI, which is called sepsis. That's when the bacteria that cause a bladder infection actually spreads into the bloodstream. And when it spreads into the bloodstream, it can cause what we call multisystem organ failure, and that can lead to death."6 Jan 2021

[Gingerann1 in reply to Beryl71]

Oh my! No wonder my Onc freaked out when I told him about the first UTI which was a bad one in March! Haven’t had one since my 20’s and then 3 in a 4 month span! Trying to be careful but I don’t know what else to do. His PA did recommend I take supplement D-Mannose which I found at Walmart to help prevent. Time will tell.

[Beryl71 in reply to Gingerann1]

Well I've had pure cranberry juice. Other than that you can only boost your immune system. Be careful. X

[mariootsi]

I wish you a quick recovery!

[Beryl71]

I've just asked doctor for more info. They've stopped palbo as they need my immune system operating at full capacity. They say that's usual practice. When I said GP never had, he said it's better to go straight to hospital. It might explain why I had such a bad time of it and low neutrophils a couple of months ago when I had an infection.

[Melpub]

As long as you are comfortable with your doctors, fight it their way--but I think as soon as you can get out there and visit your partner, the better!

[Beryl71 in reply to Melpub]

Thanks, don't think I'd have the energy to get on a plane at present. He's worried as there's very low level medical provision without being airlifted!

[Andibo]

I'm so sorry about the kidney infection. Hoping the healing is speedy.

[Totheriver]

Hope you feel better soon!!

[debbiedo2063]

Best wishes for a quick recovery. Debra xxx

[BluHydrangea]

So sorry you are in the hospital! Wishing you a speedy recovery!