Hi Beth, While my doc had prescribe Sprycel at 100mg once a day, I had requested my prescription in 50mg tablets just for that reason. While I certainly can't "advise" you or anyone else to go against their doc's orders I knew for me starting at a lower dose was the right thing to do. I had also learned from other CML'ers on Sprycel that many had started at a lower dose and ramped up, rather than starting at a higher dose and then having to decrease with side effects.
I am still suffering from GI effects left over from Gleevec and didn't want to overwelm my system suddenly. So I just did what I knew I had to do...but that means assuming the risks also. I have been on 50mg for a month and so far my blood count is holding. After explaining my reasons to my onc, he got on board, but still wants me to increase the dose to 100mg. His concern is resistance down the road. This is the reason that he is connecting me to the doc who worked on the developement. My onc's recommendation was to increase to 100 only every other day...however, a second opinion I got last week suggested slower than that, like 50 daily and 100 only every three or four days to start. I did take 100 yesterday...the headache about 6 hours after was pretty huge but I remember that happened the first few days I started with 50mg also. What I can share with you from my experience is to be certain to have at least a two week rest from any other TKI before starting. Review and adjust your others meds for contraindications (drugs.com). Be certain not to take any other blood thinners like aspirin, ibuprophen, etc with Sprycel! Morning works best for me, with breakfast. I tried bedtime for a week and it caused a lot of GERD with heartburn! Mornings leave me sitting up long enough that this is no longer an issue. Headaches were bad the first few days, after that intermittant, but I have noticed that often they are associated with a drop in blood pressure and that drinking LARGE quantities of water can prevent and/or reduce the headache completely. I am walking in faith on this, and hope you can also. I will definately keep you posted on how the consult with the developer goes! Feel free to e-mail me directly any time also. Keep the faith! peg On Sep 26, 5:59 pm, [email protected] wrote: > Peg, > > Please let me know as well what the oncologist says regarding an optimum > dose of Sprycel. I too am afraid to go on it, especially at a full dose...I > have 50 mg. tabs..but have not started. Best wishes to you.. > Warm regards, > Beth -- [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
