Re: Help! Now I have gallstones.

[Guest guest]

Hi, Pat:

I had gallstones while taking Gleevec (now on Sprycel), and had the gallbladder

removed in a fairly simple procedure. With gallstones you run the risk of

pancreatitis which is more dangerous, so I chose to have the gallbladder taken

out.

Hope this helps.

Regards,

Carl

town, PA USA

________________________________

From: phoenixpat <phoenixpat@...>

Sent: Thu, June 17, 2010 8:13:20 AM

Subject: [ ] Help! Now I have gallstones.

Hi all -

First, thanks for all of your responses to my earlier post asking about PPI's -

the information was very helpful, and appreciated. Here's a big virtual hug to

all of you!

Long story short - the digestive issues led to having an ultrasound yesterday

and it showed gallstones and I see a gastroenterologist next Tuesday. Most

likely he will recommend gall bladder removal. Some fellow cancer survivors are

suggesting " natural " alternatives including diet changes and supplements. I've

found some information suggesting that Gleevec can cause Cholecystitis

(Gallbladder Inflammation)and posts from various patients on Gleevec who also

got gallstones.

I'd appreciate information and links to resources to better understand the role

Gleevec may or may not play in causing gall bladder issues before I go to the

gastro guy next week. Has anyone else had to deal with this? What did you decide

to do? Are there any special precautions that are needed for CML patients if you

have surgery? Anything you wish you had known that you'd like to pass along that

could help with this?

Thanks in advance for your help and support. Now I need to run to the bathroom.

(Just kidding!)

Pat in Phoenix

[Guest guest]

I had my gall bladder removed this past Nov. and was on Gleevec.  I was in alot

of pain when they did mine, they thought I was having a heart attack.  My issue

right now is shakiness, i have xanax to take but I am afraid to become addicted

to them.  There 1mg and I take half of one in the morning and sometimes but not

always the other half in the afternoon. I try to fight the afternoon one but

doesnt always work.  Any suggstions on how to get rid of these shakes?

      Thanks, Dee

I live in Columbia, pa

________________________________

From: Carl Davies <ctdavies2003@...>

Sent: Thu, June 17, 2010 11:17:54 AM

Subject: Re: [ ] Help! Now I have gallstones.

 

Hi, Pat:

I had gallstones while taking Gleevec (now on Sprycel), and had the gallbladder

removed in a fairly simple procedure. With gallstones you run the risk of

pancreatitis which is more dangerous, so I chose to have the gallbladder taken

out.

Hope this helps.

Regards,

Carl

town, PA USA

________________________________

From: phoenixpat <phoenixpat@...>

Sent: Thu, June 17, 2010 8:13:20 AM

Subject: [ ] Help! Now I have gallstones.

Hi all -

First, thanks for all of your responses to my earlier post asking about PPI's -

the information was very helpful, and appreciated. Here's a big virtual hug to

all of you!

Long story short - the digestive issues led to having an ultrasound yesterday

and it showed gallstones and I see a gastroenterologist next Tuesday. Most

likely he will recommend gall bladder removal. Some fellow cancer survivors are

suggesting " natural " alternatives including diet changes and supplements. I've

found some information suggesting that Gleevec can cause Cholecystitis

(Gallbladder Inflammation)and posts from various patients on Gleevec who also

got gallstones.

I'd appreciate information and links to resources to better understand the role

Gleevec may or may not play in causing gall bladder issues before I go to the

gastro guy next week. Has anyone else had to deal with this? What did you decide

to do? Are there any special precautions that are needed for CML patients if you

have surgery? Anything you wish you had known that you'd like to pass along that

could help with this?

Thanks in advance for your help and support. Now I need to run to the bathroom.

(Just kidding!)

Pat in Phoenix

[Guest guest]

This is very interesting, as I just got out of the hospital on Monday due to

emergency gall bladder removal. I have been off Gleevec since the 24th of

May. and had just started Tasigna on the 6th of June. It will be interesting

to see if they can pinpoint the cause. Mine wasn't gallstones though, as

they thought it would be. my gallbladder was oversized - blown up like a

balloon - full of bile. (yuck.) :-)

Tammy

_____

From: Dee [mailto:dallen145@...]

Sent: Thursday, June 17, 2010 12:01 PM

Subject: Re: [ ] Help! Now I have gallstones.

I had my gall bladder removed this past Nov. and was on Gleevec. I was in

alot of pain when they did mine, they thought I was having a heart attack.

My issue right now is shakiness, i have xanax to take but I am afraid to

become addicted to them. There 1mg and I take half of one in the morning

and sometimes but not always the other half in the afternoon. I try to fight

the afternoon one but doesnt always work. Any suggstions on how to get rid

of these shakes?

Thanks, Dee

I live in Columbia, pa

________________________________

From: Carl Davies <ctdavies2003@... <mailto:ctdavies2003%40>

>

<mailto:%40>

Sent: Thu, June 17, 2010 11:17:54 AM

Subject: Re: [ ] Help! Now I have gallstones.

Hi, Pat:

I had gallstones while taking Gleevec (now on Sprycel), and had the

gallbladder removed in a fairly simple procedure. With gallstones you run

the risk of pancreatitis which is more dangerous, so I chose to have the

gallbladder taken out.

Hope this helps.

Regards,

Carl

town, PA USA

________________________________

From: phoenixpat <phoenixpat@... <mailto:phoenixpat%40> >

<mailto:%40>

Sent: Thu, June 17, 2010 8:13:20 AM

Subject: [ ] Help! Now I have gallstones.

Hi all -

First, thanks for all of your responses to my earlier post asking about

PPI's - the information was very helpful, and appreciated. Here's a big

virtual hug to all of you!

Long story short - the digestive issues led to having an ultrasound

yesterday and it showed gallstones and I see a gastroenterologist next

Tuesday. Most likely he will recommend gall bladder removal. Some fellow

cancer survivors are suggesting " natural " alternatives including diet

changes and supplements. I've found some information suggesting that Gleevec

can cause Cholecystitis (Gallbladder Inflammation)and posts from various

patients on Gleevec who also got gallstones.

I'd appreciate information and links to resources to better understand the

role Gleevec may or may not play in causing gall bladder issues before I go

to the gastro guy next week. Has anyone else had to deal with this? What did

you decide to do? Are there any special precautions that are needed for CML

patients if you have surgery? Anything you wish you had known that you'd

like to pass along that could help with this?

Thanks in advance for your help and support. Now I need to run to the

bathroom. (Just kidding!)

Pat in Phoenix

[Guest guest]

WOW! You guys are amazing, thanks so much for the quick replies, and I'm betting

there will be more responses. It just really proves the value of being able to

connect with other patients for information!!

I'm not happy to have gallstones, but I do feel a lot better after hearing this

information.

[Guest guest]

>

> WOW! You guys are amazing, thanks so much for the quick replies, and I'm

betting there will be more responses. It just really proves the value of being

able to connect with other patients for information!!

> I'm not happy to have gallstones, but I do feel a lot better after hearing

this information.

>

Wow, funny you should bring this up, I am sitting in my bed recovering from

gallbladder surgery! I had mine out last Friday, have been having issues with

attacks for a couple of years now, but it had changed in recent days. I am on

sprycel, so, after reading these posts....wondering if there is some effect on

the gallbladder from sprycel. My symptoms (lately) were just this very nagging

ache in my right side, sometimes would be really bad, other not (ya know, that

paid scale thing). Went in for a HIDI scan that showed my gallbladder was not

working correctly. Went in for surgery. I have been very reluctant to do this,

but.....I also do not want to be in pain.

I hope it gets better soon, I told the surgeon yesterday that the pain from

gallbladder was more tolerable. I am having issues with gas! Oh my, hope that

was not tmi. I am sure it will get better. Now to watch my diet! :-)

Hope all goes well with your decision.

[Guest guest]

Hope your feeling better soon. Cannot believe how many people are suffering with

Gallbladder Problems. I heard you will feel a lot better after you recover.

The gas is due to the air inside of you from the surgery. I thought I had

Gallbladder problems a few times, but every scan showed nothing. I did hear you

have to watch certain foods afterwards, and they probably gave you the diet to

follow.

Take Care

> >

> > WOW! You guys are amazing, thanks so much for the quick replies, and I'm

betting there will be more responses. It just really proves the value of being

able to connect with other patients for information!!

> > I'm not happy to have gallstones, but I do feel a lot better after hearing

this information.

> >

> Wow, funny you should bring this up, I am sitting in my bed recovering from

gallbladder surgery! I had mine out last Friday, have been having issues with

attacks for a couple of years now, but it had changed in recent days. I am on

sprycel, so, after reading these posts....wondering if there is some effect on

the gallbladder from sprycel. My symptoms (lately) were just this very nagging

ache in my right side, sometimes would be really bad, other not (ya know, that

paid scale thing). Went in for a HIDI scan that showed my gallbladder was not

working correctly. Went in for surgery. I have been very reluctant to do this,

but.....I also do not want to be in pain.

>

> I hope it gets better soon, I told the surgeon yesterday that the pain from

gallbladder was more tolerable. I am having issues with gas! Oh my, hope that

was not tmi. I am sure it will get better. Now to watch my diet! :-)

>

> Hope all goes well with your decision.

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

I hadn't heard that gallbladder problems were an issue with any of the TKIs but

as time goes on, the long term effects will become better understood. So far

though I haven't heard of any surprises which, as someone on Gleevec for just a

year, is good to hear.

It's also my understanding that gall bladder issues are not uncommon as we get

older (middle age onwards), especially in women, and it seems most folks here

with issues are women (not going to guess ages!). I had a work colleague who had

gall stones a few years ago - very painful, and needed surgery. All sorted

after that - she was about 50 I would guess, and not on any medication.

> > >

> > > WOW! You guys are amazing, thanks so much for the quick replies, and I'm

betting there will be more responses. It just really proves the value of being

able to connect with other patients for information!!

> > > I'm not happy to have gallstones, but I do feel a lot better after hearing

this information.

> > >

> > Wow, funny you should bring this up, I am sitting in my bed recovering from

gallbladder surgery! I had mine out last Friday, have been having issues with

attacks for a couple of years now, but it had changed in recent days. I am on

sprycel, so, after reading these posts....wondering if there is some effect on

the gallbladder from sprycel. My symptoms (lately) were just this very nagging

ache in my right side, sometimes would be really bad, other not (ya know, that

paid scale thing). Went in for a HIDI scan that showed my gallbladder was not

working correctly. Went in for surgery. I have been very reluctant to do this,

but.....I also do not want to be in pain.

> >

> > I hope it gets better soon, I told the surgeon yesterday that the pain from

gallbladder was more tolerable. I am having issues with gas! Oh my, hope that

was not tmi. I am sure it will get better. Now to watch my diet! :-)

> >

> > Hope all goes well with your decision.

> >

> >

> >

>

[Guest guest]

Hi " willoughbyr " ,

I agree. I've known several people over the years who had their gall bladders

out but not a single one was on Gleevec or had CML.

I think we have a tendency to blame Gleevec for anything and everything that

happens to us when it's usually not warranted.

It would be nice to know why something is the way it is but unfortunately many

times we just don't have that answer.

Tracey

>

> I hadn't heard that gallbladder problems were an issue with any of the TKIs

but as time goes on, the long term effects will become better understood. So far

though I haven't heard of any surprises which, as someone on Gleevec for just a

year, is good to hear.

>

> It's also my understanding that gall bladder issues are not uncommon as we get

older (middle age onwards), especially in women, and it seems most folks here

with issues are women (not going to guess ages!). I had a work colleague who had

gall stones a few years ago - very painful, and needed surgery. All sorted

after that - she was about 50 I would guess, and not on any medication.

[Guest guest]

>

I've known several people over the years who had their gall bladders out but

not a single one was on Gleevec or had CML.

>

> I think we have a tendency to blame Gleevec for anything and everything that

happens to us when it's usually not warranted.

___________________________

Here is the most common medical profile of those who have a gall bladder

problem:

F....F....F....F

female

over forty

fat (nicer put, overweight)

flatulant (or farty)

But I am still not doubting that there may be a medication (Gleevec, etc)

component to all this.....and men also do get gal bladder problems, just much

less frequent.

C.