It seems Gleevec is the first line of defense for CML and is used for other cancers as well. I experienced most the side effects everyone else does but also had severe skin irritations and rashes all over my body. While it brought my WBC counts to a normal range, I just couldn't stand it any more. My onc put me on Sprycel (dasatinib) and I maintained good blood cell counts without all the side effects. I still have minor skin irritations but I can control that with topical lotions and continue to work. No cramps, bone aches, nausia, or diarhea and not the fatigue I had on Gleevec. There are new drugs approved now but Gleevec has been around the longest and is known to work so they usually turn to it first. You will learn to live with CML and get to where it does not take such a toll on your body. On Wednesday, March 6, 2013 11:12:35 PM UTC-6, [email protected] wrote:
> I was diagnosed with CML in Oct 2012. It was funny, I thought what I was > feeling was stress related due to my job and/or perhaps early onset of the > change of life. Symptoms were extreme fatigue, waking up tired after a > full nights sleep, night sweats and fever, weight loss and discomfort when > sitting. Finally went to a doctor and asked them to check my hormone > levels and do a complete physical. Dr sent me for an ultra sound too > because of a hard lump in my side. Turns out my spleen was twice the size > it should have been and my blood test came back with really high white > cells, low red cells and high platelets. Dr referred me to an > Oncologist who has put me on Gleevec. Today, my white cells are within > normal, my red cells are still a little low and my platelets remain higher > than they should be. Had to go on a disability leave from work due to the > pain from trying to sit - from the enlarged spleen and joint pain. Have > been off work since late Nov 2012. I currently have been experiencing pain > in my hip and knee joints, as well as excruciating pain in my shin bones. > Is this normal? Is it the Gleevec causing it, or the leukemia? > > Also having really weird muscle cramps - charlie horses in my legs that > hurt bad enough to make me cry and cramping in my fingers and toes. Feels > like my hands and feet will never be warm again....am really looking > forward to summer. Anyone else experiencing this? > > The Oncologist says I might have to try a different drug which is scaring > me, as Gleevec has brought down my white counts...what if nothing else > works? Has anyone found anything that relieves the pain? I've tried A535 > and hot baths, heating pads etc Have been told I can't take aspirin, > tylenol or advil as they interact with Gleevec. GP recommended trying > massage therapy, but when certain spots on my knees and legs are touched I > can't bear it. Would be really interested to hear if anyone else has found > something that helps.... > -- -- [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 --- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "CMLHope" group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to [email protected]. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/groups/opt_out.
