Dear Karyne, I too have CML and had horrible bone and joint pain on Gleevec as well as extreme fatigue and swelling...I could not work, could not function. On Tasigna, I traded in all those side effects for others, but much less debilitating...I can work full time, have no muscle or joint pain and minimal fatigue. I do have elevated blood sugars which happens in some cases as well as elevated liver enzymes which also happen in some cases, but not everyone. There are rashes which are common which do get better with time...some constipation...that's about it... Each one of us uptakes these drugs in different ways, so it's a personal journey to see how one fairs on any of these drugs. You can go back on Sprycel if Tasigna has no better side effects and or if for some reason it doesn't hold the remission..I cannot see why it would not, but again, everyone's body is unique. My doctors have told me that I can absolutely switch back to a medication that was working but that I am intolerant of, it should work as it has before....if I try a new med, and the side effects are worse than what I was experiencing before, you can always go back on your former med. I have found no research that suggests otherwise. The other thought I have is that if your son is on 50 a day and in remission for years, at half a dose (,the standard is 100 of Sprycel now) then both he and his cancer are very sensitive to the drug..so, starting with a smaller dose of Tasigna and titrating up slowly to a dose he can tolerate seems wise...just a thought. My best to you and your son, at 20, with his life before him, quality of life feels important. Perhaps it's worth a shot. Whatever makes the best sense to you...My heart goes out to you. Beth
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