Re: Hello, All! (Basil)

[Guest guest]

Dear Basil,

It is a pleasure to meet you, albeit online. I also agree that

atmospheric conditions have an impact on some of these side effects.

I did not have any edema all winter and now that the weather is

getting warm again, surprise. I am hoping this will go away as it is

not that comfortable.

NYC

> >

> > Dear friends,

> > Hello everyone. My name is and I am 31 years old and

> have

> > two sons, a 2 year old and a 4 year old. I was diagnosed on

July,

> 2007

> > and have been on 400mg of Gleevec since that time. I am treated

at

> NY

> > Hospital by Dr. Schuster. I have posted on the Asian support

group

> so

> > some of you already know me. Thank you for welcoming me into

this

> > group and I hope to get to know you guys and be part of your web

of

> > support. I have been suffering from edema of the lower legs,

> ankles,

> > and feet.

> >

> > I was

> > wondering if some of you who have experienced these side effects

> could

> > tell me how you were treating this and if it

> > went away or not. The doctor gave me Lasix to take as needed and I

> > took a pill last night before I went to bed. I don't think it

helped

> > much aside from making me get up all night to urinate. Also, I

had

> bad

> > cramps in my thigh in the morning and had to drink some Gatorade

to

> > replenish electrolytes. I'm not sure I want to keep taking the

> > diuretics. Maybe I am not giving them enough time to work... I

would

> > appreciate some feedback on this from anyone who has had edema in

> their

> > lower legs. I see a lot of postings about the edema around the

eyes

> > but not that much about it in the legs. I hope everyone is feeling

> > well and staying healthy.

> >

> > Thank you,

> >

> > NYC

>

> >Hello ,

> Everyone seems to have different side effects taking Gleevec. Of

> course the dosage is also a big contributing factor.

> I have been on 400mg / day for most of the past 4 years or so with

> about 9 months on 600mg as a booster.

> I found moving from 400 to 600mg was quite was quite traumatic as

far

> as the side effects, with my main problem being eye bleeds.

> The only problem is that we don't celebrate Halloween here, so I

> looked a little out of place with a set of red eyes.

> But once the dose was reduced back to 400mg that side effect

> gradually disappeared.

> The main side effect I still have is oedema of my eyelids. This is

> worse in the morning and gradually subsides during the course of

the

> day.

> I often have itchy, irritated eyes but, I have found that this

seems

> to be mainly caused by the atmospheric conditions where I live.

> We ate about 1,600 m above sea level and the air is fairly polluted

> and dusty to say the least. To relieve this condition I use

> Spersallerg eye drops, which is a Novartis product.

> However I have been at our seaside apartment(Ballito)for a week

now,

> and my eyes are much better and the eyelids less swollen. So I can

> state that a polluted environment can contribute to this side

effect.

> My Haematologist has had me on diuretics from the start of my

Gleevec

> treatment. This is to prevent water retention and the possible

> complications. I also take a Potassium supplement to regulate my

> Potassium level. I take these pills in the mornings and their

effect

> only lasts a couple hours.

> I try not to take any other medication close to my Gleevec, which

is

> taken after the evening meal.

> I must say I have been very fortunate as far as side effects go.

> Hang in there as the side effects of the various medication seem to

> diminish as time goes by.

> Kind regards

> Basil

>