bone/joint problems

[Guest guest]

Hi everyone! I know I don't post much and its been a long time, but

I was wondering about something and was wondering if anyone here

would know anything about this.

I have been on Gleevec since August 2000. I take 800mg daily, and I

am 30 years old. When I started Gleevec I was a victim of the usual

bone/joint pain that goes along with it. That was fine-none of the

side effects bother me when I consider the alternatives. Anyhow,

about 3 years ago I started having trouble with jaw pain and the

dentist diagnosed TMD (or TMJ). And now, in October, (it started as

I was packing the car for Light the Night) I started having lower

back pain which has consistently gotten worse and had me in the

hospital for close to a week, and I go in for surgery 2 days after

Christmas. I have a grade 3 Spondylolisthesis (L5), which means

that my bottom vertabrea is slipped forward 50-75% and is pinching

the nerves causing severe pain in my back and legs. So, what I am

wondering is if Gleevec can have this type of effect on bones and

joints. I have good strong bones-just ask the poor doctors who have

to do my bone marrow biopsies. And I am only 30. I never used to

have these types of problems. So, could it be Gleevec related and

how bad could it get, or am I just getting old? (Thirty hit me

HARD...) Just curious if anyone has any thoughts on this.

Thanks,

Holly