Effusions

[Guest guest]

Dear

Not everyone who has pleural effusions has to have it drained. Sometimes it

goes away with steroids and other meds and sometimes on its own when the meds

are withheld for a short period. If it continues, then they have to make some

decisions about whether or not you should remain on the CML drug that is causing

it. I had effusions several times and all I did was take steriods and stop the

drug for a short while. The last time I was diagnosed with it, it only showed

up on a CT scan and not on an x-ray.

As some of our members reported, there were times they didn't know they had it.

I didn't know until I was diagnosed with pneumonia. I hope everything gets

cleared up and you have no further recurrences.

Blessings,

Lottie

[Guest guest]

Dear Cmler's 2,

I wanted to mentioned that pleural effusion was something I encountered

while I was on Interferon, back when I was first diagnosis with CML, Nov. 2000.

I remembered clearly how frequent I was running to the emergency rooms

of many different hospitals, because they just didn't understand what I was

up against. Some of the emergencies rooms said I didn't have anything, while

some send me home with very strong antibiotics. Some said they thought I was

experiencing pneumonia, and others kept me at the room for up to 12 hours to

observe me while lying down in a bed.

The pain I experienced was a very tight chest, wheezing, constant hard

cough, and severe side pain. I was on steroids for a short time, then returned

back to a health-club. In those days I often went to a Wellness Home in my

State, and did frequent exercise. I even was a power swimmer in those days,

and did Tie Chee,( can't remember how to spell it?) the Chinese slow moving

exercise, which seemed to help!

Since then, I have changed my diet. And currently on Gleevec, 400 mgs.

I do not consume any dairy, because I would be nauseated, and I don't eat

meat either. I became a vegetarian some 4 years ago, and feel better and can

manage Gleevec better. The only side effects I have is dry mouth, and a little

of bone pain, however, with the Acupuncture recently, I have been able to

have the saliva return to help me digest mostly fresh vegetables ( which are

cooked), and some noodles carb's. When I changed my diet, which also

eliminated any gluten, I realized that I would not have the on going problems

as I did when I was first diagnosis. Today, I have been in remission 2 times.

and both on Gleevec.

Blessings to All!!

Dory Doggie

----- Forwarded Message ----

From: Lottie Duthu <lotajam@...>

CML < >

Sent: Monday, February 2, 2009 1:03:41 AM

Subject: [ ] Effusions

Dear

Not everyone who has pleural effusions has to have it drained. Sometimes it

goes away with steroids and other meds and sometimes on its own when the meds

are withheld for a short period. If it continues, then they have to make some

decisions about whether or not you should remain on the CML drug that is causing

it. I had effusions several times and all I did was take steriods and stop the

drug for a short while. The last time I was diagnosed with it, it only showed

up on a CT scan and not on an x-ray.

As some of our members reported, there were times they didn't know they had it.

I didn't know until I was diagnosed with pneumonia. I hope everything gets

cleared up and you have no further recurrences.

Blessings,

Lottie