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
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Beryl71
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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 💕
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!
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.
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.
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.
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?
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.
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!
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!
Oh bless you ,I hope it clears up quickly and you’ll soon be on your way to Scotland again .Sending healing hugs xxx
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
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?
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.
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
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.
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.
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!
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