Re: PCR Matt

[Guest guest]

Hey Matt-

Wow, sorry to hear about the PCR resulsts. Quite an increase. I was just

considering lowering my Gleevec from 800mg to 600mg or 400mg just to have

better symptoms. If I might ask, what are your intolerabilities that you have

to

take the breaks for? Do you see improvements during the breaks? Are they

talking about switching drugs?

I have had good results with Gleevec although I feel like I cant function

through the side effects. I see my oncologist this next week as well as a

transplant doctor follow up appointment.

I guess my question is when is the right time to switch meds if you are

responding well but have such horrific side effects..........

What has the doctor recommended for you since the jump up?

35

CML 5/13/05

Gleevec 800mg

Wife and mother of 3 (11,8,6)

************************************** See what's free at http://www.aol.com.

[Guest guest]

I really had a lot of GI issues at 800 mg and 600 mg, as well as fatigue,

muscle cramps, nose bleeds, bloody diarrhea, severe bone pain and memory loss.

At 400 mg, I function much better, but still have fatigue and bone pain but

to a much less degree. I go on breaks because at some point, while working

60 hours per week and tending to my three children, which includes coaching

sports, doing homework and cooking I get exhausted and somewhat testy. You

might even say kind of " angry " . You may understand that

When I go on breaks, I feel much better. Do not have the side effects and

am able to recharge my batteries. However, clearly the breaks may be

attributing to my PCR change, although my cytogenics remain normal. The only

other

thing I could think of was a change in lab techniques, which someone posted

several days ago, but MDACC surely would have picked up that when they posted

the results.

My local oncologist says that most of his patients have to go on breaks, as

they all seem to get frustrated with the side effects. He says they do not

get worse, they just seem to grind on you daily. However, the staff at MDACC

also allowed me a 2 week break once per year. However, neither group

recommended a change to Sprycell or AMN107 because there is not a lot of data

out

there for them to review. They would suggest only changing when you are

non-responsive to Gleevec. However, with the change in my PCR, that may change

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 4/24/2007 1:44:16 P.M. Eastern Standard Time,

vegasrnjen@... writes:

Hey Matt-

Wow, sorry to hear about the PCR resulsts. Quite an increase. I was just

considering lowering my Gleevec from 800mg to 600mg or 400mg just to have

better symptoms. If I might ask, what are your intolerabilities that you

have to

take the breaks for? Do you see improvements during the breaks? Are they

talking about switching drugs?

I have had good results with Gleevec although I feel like I cant function

through the side effects. I see my oncologist this next week as well as a

transplant doctor follow up appointment.

I guess my question is when is the right time to switch meds if you are

responding well but have such horrific side effects.....respo

What has the doctor recommended for you since the jump up?

35

CML 5/13/05

Gleevec 800mg

Wife and mother of 3 (11,8,6)

******************************************<WBR>*********<WBR>*_http://www.aol.

http_ (http://www.aol.com./)

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************************************** See what's free at http://www.aol.com.