I believe in my gut that the pain is real. Since I am one of the lucky ones to have had most of the side effects of Gleevec, I think that I am pretty good at diagnosing. The problem is is that none of us are willing to go off Gleevec to tell you definitely that Gleevec is the culprit or not. For instance, I had a bout of sciatica...in rare occurrences (which is me) Gleevec can cause this. Since I have severe muscle spasms which I have pretty much under control thanks to Dr. Druker, et. al. in this sam category is the drug reaction of RARE sciatica...but Dr. Druker said that IF Gleevec caused it (he was not saying it did or did not but you have to add age into the factor--- only a ripe young age of 56 at the time) you just have to treat the sciatica because I was not coming off the Gleevec. It is a trying situation BUT I would rather be alive. Something new has also occurred and that is tennis elbow...somehow, I believe that my whole muscular structure has been affected. Now, whether this is Gleevec related or age related, etc. WE JUST DO NOT KNOW but will continie to treat the SYMPTOMS. So, in reality, you keep yourself alive WITH Gleevec, REPORT the other symptoms and LIVE with the other symptoms. It is very simple, yet annoying to every day life BUT in the long haul---I think it is worth it!
All my my symptoms came on very gradually. The sciatica was there but I did not know what it was...(high pain tolerance can be a problem here!!!) and THEN it came on SUDDENLY!!!! Hugs, Susan Miami, Florida dx. January 8rd, 2003 Began Gleevec: 4/10/2003 Ceased Gleevec: 4/21/2003 "Rebegan" Gleevec: 4/25/2003 Tranfusion dependent: May 2004-November 2005 Gleevec reduced to 400mg: 8/2004 Gleevec reduced to 300mg: 8/2005 Gleevec reduced to 200/300 alternating days: November 7, 2006 to present day Still undetectable 9/20/2007 PCR results from January 16th-undetectable and the nested test was also undetectable!!Peripheral blood test (taken every 3 months) BMB/BMA scheduled for March 27, 2008 (need this every two years) with Dr. Druker. Gleevec PK Level taken every 3 months monitored by Novartis and Dr. Druker. --~--~---------~--~----~------------~-------~--~----~ [CMLHope] A support group of http://cmlhope.com ------------------------------------------------- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "CMLHope" group. To post to this group, send email to [email protected] To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/CMLHope -~----------~----~----~----~------~----~------~--~---
