Same journey as Ted  
Dx 2004
Gleevec
Tasigna
Sprycel
Hang in there
Jeanie

Sent from my iPhone

On Mar 12, 2013, at 1:11 PM, [email protected] wrote:

> Myl...
>  
> Don't be too nervous about switching drugs...as you can see from my history 
> below, I have been on 3 TKI's and Sprycel was the answer for me.  In fact 
> they had to drop the dossage level from the standard of 100mg/day to 20mg/day 
> because of pleural effusion issues.  So far it seems to be keep the CML under 
> control and the side effects are much less than on Gleevec and Tasigna.  You 
> might want to start a brief history of your journey as some of us do so that 
> you can communicate the highlight of your journey easily with other CMLers 
> (see below).
>  
> I have found that each of us seems to react differently to these wonder drugs 
> so you just have to keep experimenting until you find one that works with 
> livable side effects.
>  
> All the Best!  Tom in KY
>  
> Tom, BD: 8/1941 Updated:8-27-12
> DX CML 12-23-2008
> MDA Protocol: Tasigna-400mg; 2xday-1/09
> On Flecainide for AF...still had frequent episodes
> Q PCR bone@ 0.17 on 7/09
> Acute Pancreatitis-7/5/09
> Stopped Tasigna-7/13/09
> Q PCRU blood-7-29-09 !
> Started Gleevec-400mg/day-7/31/09
> Developed rash ~ 8/19/09
> Rash treated with Steroids..improvement
> Rash worsens~9/22/09
> Stopped Gleevec-9/28/09
> Restarted Gleevec @300mg/day-10/8/09
> Stopped Gleevec-10/13/09-toxic rash\
> AF returned infrequently
> Q PCR bone-0.05
> Started Sprycel @ 100mg/day-10/20/09
> Some AF...increased FLecainde..1, 2x/day
> Q PCR bone..0.07
> Stopped Alcohol…no AF, ½ Flecainide 2x/day
> Q PCR Blood…Non Detectible-12-13-10
> Q PCR Bone..0.01--2-25-11
> Q PCR Blood…Undetectible-5-19-11
> Reduced Flecainide to 1/2 per day
> Pleural and pericardial Effusion: stopped Sprycel-12-6-'11
> Prednisone 50mg /day to combat PE; 12/14/'11 gradual reduction
> Pleural Effusion clear 12-21-11
> Started Sprycel 70mg/day..12-23-11
> QPR bone <0.01...2-16-12
> Started Sprycel 50mg/day..3-10-12
> Chest pains...slightly more PL Eff 4-19-12
> Steroid Dose pack to alleaviate..still on 50mgs
> Change to 20 mgs/day Sprycel..4-26-12
> Chest clear, effusion gone-5-14-12
> Q-PCR Blood-Undetectible-6-13-12
> Neuropathy moving up legs, weakness noted ~7-12
> Q-PCR Blood MDA-<0.01…8-21-12
>  
> In a message dated 3/11/2013 2:55:44 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time, 
> [email protected] writes:
> 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.... 
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