Re: Glivec and Irregular Periods

[Guest guest]

Sue,

Bless your heart, what an ordeal you've been through! I send many

healing prayers your way. You are so wise to have had your medical

info posted. I will have to do that too. I know others should

definitely know what is going on. It is just one of those things--

you have to think differently when dealing with an illness like we

have.

I have also had weird and irregular periods, horrible sweats every

single day--etc., but chalked it up to menopause, as I am about that

age--53 now--so who knows?! My periods may be absent for a year, then

1 period, HEAVY, then nothing for 3 months, then a 2-day spotter--

then who knows---I am always in a state of suspense! I suspect you

are right, too, that it is the Gleevec and more studying needs to be

done.

You take care of yourself, drink lots of healing tea--I love Rooibos

from South Africa. I think it has lots of good therapeutic stuff in

it too, so drink up and take it very easy while you are recovering.

Your body has been through a major major ordeal. And don't discount

what a serious effect having that large a blood transfusion has on

your system, too. It is odd how things can occur related to that

that are totally odd. I work as a medical transcriptionist, have

been for 35 years, and so I've heard all sorts of stories. Adding

leukemia to the mix is also a biggie, so you be careful and call the

doctor if you even blink abnormally!

A big hug to you, dear, and keep us posted.

Vicki

>

> Good Morning All

>

> Since joining the group I have been asking your experience with

glivec and periods as I was experiencing

> terrible periods which I never had prior to CML.

>

> I was not sure if CML - Glivec - Age related - or abit of

everything.

>

> Note: Prior to being diagnosed - I thought I was nearing

rmenopause as I had only slight discharge and not a period at all.

>

> On diagnosis of CML - over a few months - actual periods started

again.My periods having been very clotty and not hormonal type clots.

> Very irregular and periods starting to be longer of a time period.

So thought it maybe related to the glivec in the main.

>

> Last week - what an adventure.

> Had a major bleed that left me with a very very low heboglobin

(spelling) hgb of 44

> Raced to hospital after collapsing and still blood could not be

stopped

> When stablised after many more bags of blood it was decided to give

me a radical hysterectomy.

> This has now been done - feel sore and sorry

> Home again after a 7 day stay

> Specialists think that the change in periods is both CML and Glivec

related but have not done many studies

> as many of the women diagnosed are older or have previously had

hysterectomies. So it looks like we are

> all guinea pigs in part.

>

> It looks like I was born under a lucky bushel as I had so little

blood left that I only had some hours to live if

> I had not been stablised with transfusions etc, in the end had some

19 bags of blood. The massive bleed

> came on very quickly - so one must be vigilant with our health.

>

> I would now suggest that anyone has irregular periods ask for a

referral to a specialist gyno who specialises in

> uterine cancers and will work with your haem.

>

> I would also suggest to put on wall or fridge a note of who to

contact - what hospital you wish to go to in an emergency

> - drugs being taken etc. and contact numbers of your medical team.

> I had done that - and when neighbours found me - they knew what to

do and who to call and so gave myself the best chance

> of survival.

>

> CML is never boring.

>

> In my gut reaction I think it is a glivec reaction on some woman

and more studies should be allocated to hormones.

>

> Of interest is the thryoid hormone as discussed in the bulletin.

>

> Thanks for the info from your chat last evening.

>

> Cheers

> Sue (Australia)

>

>

>