Cll and Exjade

[esract]

Hi All,
I have chronic lymphocytic leukemia, I've had it since the mid-90s, and only in the past 4 yrs. have I been symptomatic. I tried chlorambucil and rituxan, but the chlorambucil lowered platelets along with the bad lymphs, and the rituxan caused intervals between RBC transfusions to go from 4-6 weeks down to 2. Now, I've been transfusion dependent on RBCs since 1/11, and the iron has built up...........SF is around 1700. My onc wants to put me on 500 mg. daily of Exjade, but with platelets at 25, I'm scared. Supposedly, she looked into it, but I'm not sure. I don't want to get hemorrhages...........although my clotting factors, just tested 3 weeks ago, are all normal. What's your opinion on taking Exjade with platelets at 25, at a dose of 500 mg. daily?
Thanks,
Ellen R.:confused:

[Lisa Z]

Hi Ellen-

I took Exjade for 6 monts a while back. I am not aware of the issue with taking it w/low platelets..... I don't recall what my platelets were at the time....but the certainly were below normal....

[riccd2001]

If you take Exjade, make sure to keep an eye on your Creatinine level. :cool:

[marmab]

Yes, watch your creatinine level. I was put on Exjade to lower my ferritin (3660). I also had low platelets (transfusion dependent, in fact). But I was able to take the Exjade for only a couple of weeks before the doctor discontinued it because of its adverse effects on my kidneys. Interestingly, I felt fine while taking it, and I don't believe it had any particular effect on my platelet count.

[esract]

Thanks, all. I do plan to have a weekly comp chem panel, and a urinalysis for protein, and will even go to the drug store to get a fecal occult blood test kit. I'd still like to hear from those who had platelets around 25 before starting exjade to know if their platelets dropped while on the drug.
Ellen