Re: Newbies - give it time pans out

[Guest guest]

Hi, -

I agree--I have been on Gleevec now about 5 months--and I am finally

starting to have some return of energy. I also changed to a

different antidepressant than I had been on for my diabetic

neuropathy, from Cymbalta to Effexor), and I think that really helped

lift the clouds a bit, too. I can't emphasize enough how important

it has been for me to be aware that depression was playing a role in

my feeling downright awful for a good solid 3 months. That is not to

say that I didn't have physical symptoms too--I definitely did--but

the depression really made them that much worse! So, talk to your

physician about meds, consider the possibility of depression, and

hang in there! Actually, I am not responding all that well to Gleevec

right now, so am seeing Dr Druker on 03/01 to see what he might

suggest.

I have been working full-time, but for the first three months on

Gleevec, was barely able to get out of bed because I was feeling so

awful. I had severe fatigue, nausea, chills, fevers, diarrhea, bone

aches, joint aches, muscle cramps, you name it! But all are doing

better now (knock wood!) I have occasional tummy upsets and some

general achiness but either I am just learning to deal with

everything better, or it is really getting less and less as times

passes...hopefully it is the latter!

Good health and best wishes to all. This group is fabulous. It has

gotten me through some tough times.

Vicki

-- In , " " <barndt@...> wrote:

>

> Hi everyone.

>

> I have been on gleevec since December 21 2006 and have had a nasty

time

> of it. I have dubbed this drug " the dragon " . I keep hearing

people

> say " give it time " , and I must say at times it was hard to believe

> those words. GOOD NEWS...the last three days I have not been sick

> after taking gleevec. In fact, I felt better during the last three

days

> than I have in the last 3 months. Hooray...finally, I believe my

> system is getting accustomed to it.

>

> So all you other newbies out there who are having troubles with

feeling

> ill take heart....and " give it time " .

>

> Good health to all,

>

>

[Guest guest]

Hello All,

I have been on Gleevec 2 years this month

I would have to say that I went through hell for a long while with it.

All of the side effects that can be expected came visiting and my and

my families life were made hell.

I finally got the right " drug cocktail " and the world became a little

brighter.

The main problem was diarrhea, I had to spend hours on the " throne " .

The drug that saved me was Sandostatin, I was on the verge of giving

up and stopping the drugs and letting nature take its course.

My Dr. prescribed it and I have been basically free from diarrhea, by

luck Novartis makes both.

I can't tell you what a life saver this has been.

I have just had to go to 600 mg of Gleevec and am now using 3 needles

100mg of Sandostatin and still doing well.

I hope this helps some of you.

Regards,

Terry

> >

> > Hi everyone.

> >

> > I have been on gleevec since December and have had a nasty

> time

> > of it. I have dubbed this drug " the dragon " . I keep hearing

> people

> > say " give it time " , and I must say at times it was hard to believe

> > those words. GOOD NEWS...the last three days I have not been sick

> > after taking gleevec. In fact, I felt better during the last three

> days

> > than I have in the last 3 months. Hooray...finally, I believe my

> > system is getting accustomed to it.

> >

> > So all you other newbies out there who are having troubles with

> feeling

> > ill take heart....and " give it time " .

> >

> > Good health to all,

> >

> >

>

[Guest guest]

:

What dosage are you taking?

But yes, it took me three months to allow my body to adapt to it and each

time that I increased the dosage, it took a few weeks to adjust to it as well.

Sincerely,

Matt

ville, Florida

Dx January of 2005

Gleevec since March of 2005

Treated at MD

Father of 3

In a message dated 2/20/2007 7:49:28 P.M. Eastern Standard Time,

barndt@... writes:

Hi everyone.

I have been on gleevec since December 21 2006 and have had a nasty time

of it. I have dubbed this drug " the dragon " . I keep hearing people

say " give it time " , and I must say at times it was hard to believe

those words. GOOD NEWS...the last three days I have not been sick

after taking gleevec. In fact, I felt better during the last three days

than I have in the last 3 months. Hooray...finally, I believe my

system is getting accustomed to it.

So all you other newbies out there who are having troubles with feeling

ill take heart....and " give it time " .

Good health to all,

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[Guest guest]

Matt; I am on 400 mg., and lucky for me it appears to be doing its

job...but next month will be the tell tale 3 month marker.

[Guest guest]

:

I am sure you will do just fine. You body will adjust to Gleevec and

mentally you will adjust to your new life. Give it time and think of all the

hope

you have with other drugs available and in the pipeline.

You are going to be just fine.

Matt

In a message dated 2/22/2007 4:49:15 P.M. Eastern Standard Time,

barndt@... writes:

Matt; I am on 400 mg., and lucky for me it appears to be doing its

job...but next month will be the tell tale 3 month marker.

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