Jim, Welcome to the club nobody asked to be in, glad to hear you are 0% PH+, congrats. I'm 43, dx'd 5/04, gleevec 6/04, cyto remission 12/04. Have been very fortunate with only 'mild' side effects such as eye edema, occassional / mild toe & finger cramping. Have respitory issues so opted Gleevec treatment vs bmt. I too went to a neighborhood care for my bronchitis acting up, luckly and unusual for quick care center the doc did cbc and my wbc was 80,000, sent me directly to ER for further tests and the rest is history. I have continued to work, missing no work since dx'd and less than my co- workers, which I find a bit humorous. I have tried to keep living as normal as possible, but appreciating the little things more and not taking things for granted, I guess you could say I have become enlightened in this journey so I have definately taken some good things away from the situation I'm in. You will find this is a great bunch of people and a wealth of support & knowledge. Take Care. Brenda --- In [email protected], Jim Carlson <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > > Hi all, > > > > I've been reading the posts the last few weeks since I've joined this group. > > > > Thanks to Mark & Cheryl for a great job on ASH. > > > > The knowledge and support on this site is fantastic to those of us needing either or both. > > > > I was - > > > > > > Dx 9/16/02 � WBC 311,000 � (at urgent care for a slight fever for 4 days � 8 months to the day since a successful 3 way heart bypass operation) > > > > Gleevec > > 9/02 400 mg > > 11/02 300 mg > > 2/03 BMB 90% PH+ (FISH) > > 5/03 400 mg > > 6/03 600 mg > > 8/03 BMB 90% PH+ (FISH) > > 1/04 800 mg > > 5/04 BMB 0% PH (FISH) > > > > Side effects: > > > > Peripheral Neuropathy sensory in feet & ankles� Started early 2003 and progressed until I purposely went off Lipitor in 12/03 and has stabilized. Co-mingling of Gleevec and Lipitor: Official package labeling for Gleevec (imatinib) states that imatinib increased the mean Cmax and AUC of simvastatin by 2- and 3.5-fold, respectively, indicating an inhibition of CYP3A4 by imatinib. Pharmacists I talked to said if the co-mingling may have caused the problem, and it may take 2 more years to subside or improve. It was interesting in that my last cholesterol test (133) in 12/04 was lower than when I was on Lipitor (Gleevec?). Also, my severe muscle spasms diminished. > > > > I still have puffy eyes and facial swelling, occasionally minor leg muscle cramps and hands ending up in a lockjaw grip, none of which I consider significant; and after I went onto 800 mg of Gleevec - cold intolerance - Thyroid tests were normal -(extra warm clothes & bedding necessary) � which is a bother since I live in MN. I also have developed a pale face; - thin skin that easily cuts, bruises etc � lots of band aids. > > > > Past side effects that have disappeared were: nausea (pill with meals & lots of fluids eliminated this), bone pain, joint pain, eye bleeds, diarrhea, fatigue and weight gain. I had a hard time with diarrhea until late January of this year when I got the flu and wasn't eating much, and drinking mostly water and fruit juice. The diarrhea stopped during those few days. Over the next couple of weeks of experimenting I determined it was from dairy products (and not lactose). I switched to soy products and the only few times I've gotten diarrhea since, I've traced back to milk, cheese, milk chocolate or the like that I accidentally consumed. (no more chocolate, ice cream & other goodies). Also, my weight dropped from 188 to 170, and I've had more energy. > > > > During 2003, I discussed the BMT possibility with the local University Cancer center and since I didn't have a donor, my age � I'm 69, pretty low odds of success etc., I told them I'd take my chances with Gleevec. > > > > I've have been able to work 2-3 days a week during all this time, play golf during the season (I walk & carry my bag) when I've wanted to, walked 40 minutes most days � (and until I went on soy products � knowing where all the local toilets were) and in general trying not letting CML change my life very much. > > > > I haven't had a PCR and I plan to discuss this with my onc this coming April. I do have monthly blood tests. > > > > I've had great support from my family and friends. The word "cancer" or "leukemia" didn't scare any of them from treating me as a normal individual. At work, I told only those few exec's that had to know and asked them to keep it confidential which they have done. I was afraid that I would be treated differently by the other employees if they knew. > > > > Jim > > > > > --------------------------------- > Do you Yahoo!? > The all-new My Yahoo! � What will yours do?
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