Starting ruxolitinib aka Jakafi

Posted by davi0937 @davi0937, 21 hours ago

Good morning

My Mayo visit yesterday showed my spleen has grown to 16 cm. I’m starting Jakafi ($21,000 a month before Medicare reduced) and have read up on side effects.
• Hematologic: Lowered blood cell counts (thrombocytopenia/low platelets, anemia/low red blood cells, neutropenia/low white blood cells).
• Neurological & Metabolic: Dizziness, headache, weight gain, and elevated cholesterol or triglyceride levels.
• Gastrointestinal: Diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, constipation, and flatulence (gas).
• Physical Symptoms: Easy bruising, bleeding (such as nosebleeds), fatigue, muscle or bone pain, and fluid retention (swelling in the arms, legs, or feet)

Less known but possible serious infections (like tuberculosis or lung infections), blood clots (DVT/PE), major heart events, skin cancers, and drop in blood cell counts.

What has others side effects been? How quickly did your spleen respond. I’ve also read that it reduces the inflammation in the bone marrow which can give more energy-reducing fatigue. Thank you for your input.

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