Re: Udate on Switching Off Gleevec-Neal

March 9, 2010

Neal,

I am delighted to hear that your doc is responding to your valid concern about

crushing fatigue. Because the severity of this side effect varies so widely,

those of us who don't experience it are not in tune with just how pervasive and

demoralizing it is. Also because there are so many other legitimate possible

sources for fatigue, it takes time for the docs to eliminate all the usual

suspects and establish it's the drug. I had a terrible time with crushing

fatigue on Gleevec. Just brutal. My experience with Sprycel has been a welcome

change on the fatigue front. My fatigue is now episodic and manageable.

My best to you as you and your doctor review the best choice for you.

I am glad it's Sprycel for me. I fear I would make a dreadful Tasigna patient

given Tasigna has to be taken on an empty stomach. You can't eat 2 hours before

or one hour after the drug. I am familiar with the inconvenience of this type of

drug taking. The first time I had to do so was on the Phase II STI571 trial-

Taking Gleevec on an empty stomach was no fun. I was glad when this was changed

by the end of the trial.

Next I had to take BMS254825 phase II (Sprycel) on an empty stomach with the 2

hour/1 hour window like Tasigna but that too was able to be removed by the time

the FDA approved it. Most drugs are started with a similar window but luckily

most get dropped. Tasigna's was not able to be dropped as it is indeed affected

by food so this window must be maintained ongoing. So for now, I am glad I

don't have to switch but, clearly, I would if Tasigna became my best

option...time window management and all.

Keep us posted on the switch for you.

Cheers,

dx11/98

>

> I had my meeting with a specialist last Thursday. The doctor feels that my

> side effects are too severe and is recommending that I switch from Gleevec

> to either Sprycel or Tasigna. Wednesday I am going in to discuss with my

> oncologist on how we are going to proceed.

>

> I am now cautiously optimistic that I may soon be able to put this fatigue

> behind me.

>

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