Guest guest Posted November 27, 2007 Report Share Posted November 27, 2007 Hey Vicki, Sending you lots of hugs and positive vibes...hoping that things work out for the best for your family! :} [ ] Re: Gleevec side effects/Going back to work >Hi , I have almost exactly the same symptoms as you--including the numbers, though my wbc has never gotten much below 16,000. My Philadelphia chromosome is gone and I am " on the verge " of molecular remission as well, so doing well on 600 mg of Gleevec per day after just over a year on it. I find the fatigue and stomach pain my most troubling symptoms. Lately the eye puffiness has been quite a bit worse, and quite a bit of blurriness of my vision too. I take a diuretic twice a day and that really seems to help, along with keeping my BP under control (combined with ACE inhibitor). I wonder about what the end point of these symptoms is, or if they just go on forever??? If so that is okay--they all seem quite manageable, for the most part. I have the rash primarily on my arms and legs--just use regular lotion and it seems to help. I take Benadryl 50 mg nightly for sleep, and it seems to keep things down to a dull roar rash-wise during the day, too. After a while the sleepiness does get better. I am applying for a job tomorrow after 8 months off to concentrate on feeling better. I have applied for SS Disability but I can't just watch my family starve while waiting to see if it will come through, and if I am offered a job, I will take it even though I have questions about stamina. The good news is that the job is in afternoon/evening, which are my best hours of the day. THe bad news is that I will miss my boys! I will barely get to see them at all if I work--the hours are 3-11:30 Sun-Thurs. I wlil have Friday and Saturday nights off, which will be good, but still I will miss them. I know they are big enough to do without " mom " all the time, but I my 12 year old has had a rough transition into middle school with hospitalization for stabilization of antidepressant/ antianxiety meds and suicidal ideation, so I do worry about him. He is a very sensitive little guy and it has taken a lot of nurturing to get him feeling good again. I would hate to see it go down the tubes, and I guess no job is worth that. I will have to pray about it and thoughtfully consider the job offer, if it comes. Thanks for all the support and information from everybody. This group has been a real source of inspiration for me during some dark months. I mostly just " lurk " but it has been mostly because of severe depression rather than a lack of things to say. Thanks again...Good Luck with theGleevec side-effects. Vicki > I'd like to know what everyone experiences as they continue on Gleevec. MY doctor is > convinced I'm in remission (wbc is 4,500 down from only 39,000 - but the Bone Marrow test > confirmed the presence of the Philadelphia Chromosone) > > I have swelling around the eyes and cheeks.....I take a Lasix type pill when it becomes bad. > > I have irritable bowel sydrome..... .(may have had this before Gleevec but now it's worse) > > I am very tired (slightly anemic....10. 3)....and have all kinds of aches and pains which I can't > differentiate from the normal arthritis. > > And muscle cramping in my legs and hands (even with potassium supplement). The doc > suggested tonic water to alleviate this. > > I also have non-specific bumps, or hives, in various places that itch? Benedry seems to help > but makes me sleepy. > > So am I a complainer or amongst you? > > in Arizona > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 27, 2007 Report Share Posted November 27, 2007 Hi, my name is , I too have CML and must work to keep benefits --- My HEART aches for you and your delemna. There are options out there and this might not be for you but I own my own Independent business and am having great success so I LOVE sharing this opportunity any chance I get. Please take a few minutes (15-20) and call this number 212/990-6304 - it may be an answer to your prayers it has been to mine. Sutton 916/247-4099 chatgal2000@... vickistu <vickistu@...> wrote: >Hi , I have almost exactly the same symptoms as you--including the numbers, though my wbc has never gotten much below 16,000. My Philadelphia chromosome is gone and I am " on the verge " of molecular remission as well, so doing well on 600 mg of Gleevec per day after just over a year on it. I find the fatigue and stomach pain my most troubling symptoms. Lately the eye puffiness has been quite a bit worse, and quite a bit of blurriness of my vision too. I take a diuretic twice a day and that really seems to help, along with keeping my BP under control (combined with ACE inhibitor). I wonder about what the end point of these symptoms is, or if they just go on forever??? If so that is okay--they all seem quite manageable, for the most part. I have the rash primarily on my arms and legs--just use regular lotion and it seems to help. I take Benadryl 50 mg nightly for sleep, and it seems to keep things down to a dull roar rash-wise during the day, too. After a while the sleepiness does get better. I am applying for a job tomorrow after 8 months off to concentrate on feeling better. I have applied for SS Disability but I can't just watch my family starve while waiting to see if it will come through, and if I am offered a job, I will take it even though I have questions about stamina. The good news is that the job is in afternoon/evening, which are my best hours of the day. THe bad news is that I will miss my boys! I will barely get to see them at all if I work--the hours are 3-11:30 Sun-Thurs. I wlil have Friday and Saturday nights off, which will be good, but still I will miss them. I know they are big enough to do without " mom " all the time, but I my 12 year old has had a rough transition into middle school with hospitalization for stabilization of antidepressant/antianxiety meds and suicidal ideation, so I do worry about him. He is a very sensitive little guy and it has taken a lot of nurturing to get him feeling good again. I would hate to see it go down the tubes, and I guess no job is worth that. I will have to pray about it and thoughtfully consider the job offer, if it comes. Thanks for all the support and information from everybody. This group has been a real source of inspiration for me during some dark months. I mostly just " lurk " but it has been mostly because of severe depression rather than a lack of things to say. Thanks again...Good Luck with theGleevec side-effects. Vicki > I'd like to know what everyone experiences as they continue on Gleevec. MY doctor is > convinced I'm in remission (wbc is 4,500 down from only 39,000 - but the Bone Marrow test > confirmed the presence of the Philadelphia Chromosone) > > I have swelling around the eyes and cheeks.....I take a Lasix type pill when it becomes bad. > > I have irritable bowel sydrome......(may have had this before Gleevec but now it's worse) > > I am very tired (slightly anemic....10.3)....and have all kinds of aches and pains which I can't > differentiate from the normal arthritis. > > And muscle cramping in my legs and hands (even with potassium supplement). The doc > suggested tonic water to alleviate this. > > I also have non-specific bumps, or hives, in various places that itch? Benedry seems to help > but makes me sleepy. > > So am I a complainer or amongst you? > > in Arizona > --------------------------------- Be a better pen pal. Text or chat with friends inside . See how. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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