Sandy, I've been on Gleevec since 1999. In the first couple of years, I had terrible cramps in my legs at night--so bad that my husband would have to wet towels with hot water and wrap them while I tried to stand to get them to pass. I would cry with the pain. My local doctor discovered that my potassium level had dropped below normal and started me on potassium pills which I still take daily. My potassium levels are still in the very low "normal" range, even with the pills, but the cramps are better. I remember that Dr. Kantarjian told me to drink quinine (sp?) water, but I don't think it helped much. Now I still experience cramps in my feet at night sometimes and have to get up and walk to get rid of them. I remember one time in JCPenney's when I was trying on clothes and got a severe cramp in one of my abdominal muscles, like the ones you mentioned. I couldn't move because it hurt so badly and then I got tickled It was quite a scene. The cramps are much better now than in the beginning, but I still have them. The only thing I can suggest is that you have your doctor check your potassium level. You may need to take potassium pills
Good luck, Gay Bratton San Antonio > > ----- Original Message ----- > From: Sandra Wells > To: [email protected] > Sent: Tuesday, June 02, 2009 10:08 AM > Subject: [CMLHope] MUSCLE CRAMPS & SPASMS > > Dear Warriors, > > Is there anyone who has experienced "severe" muscle cramps or spasms > while on Gleevec. If so, please share your experiences, i.e. how > long this side effect lasts, besides using a heating pad and taking > Alleve is there any other advice you can give for dealing with > this? Mine are in my abdominal, side and back muscles (basically > the ones that surround my ribs). My doctor's solution is muscle > relaxers, and I really do not want to take any more medicine. > > This is really the first side effect that I am having a hard time > dealing with as the pain is debilitating at time (hard to move or > breathe). > > Please Help, Warriors, > > Sandy Byrd (Nanny) > > > > > No virus found in this incoming message. > Checked by AVG - www.avg.com > Version: 8.5.339 / Virus Database: 270.12.50/2150 - Release Date: > 06/02/09 06:47:00 > > > > --~--~---------~--~----~------------~-------~--~----~ [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 -~----------~----~----~----~------~----~------~--~---
