Q for Vicky

[Guest guest]

Hi ,

I was surprised to hear that Dr. Druker recommended taking Gleevec on an empty

stomach (for you). I had never heard of this before. Isn't the nausea

overwhelming if Gleevec is not taken with a full meal?

Thank you.

JoAnn

>

>

> Hi --

> I was diagnosed about the same time as you--2006. I felt so sick and out of it

after diagnosis (and before), that I took about 10 months off work to just be

home and be sick. I was totally exhausted, my bones hurt, I had diarrhea from

Gleevec (still do, but more used to it now and have some good coping

strategies--Thank you Lord for imodium), and mentally/emotionally, I was just

scared and worried and stressed and depressed! The fatigue was something I

found particularly debilitating. However,the need to have health insurance, and

my two boys (11 and 15) all motivated me to get back to work, get back into

life, and that really helped take my mind off my troubles.

>

> Yes, I have had some down days since then, but generally I come right back. I

do notice my immune system is perhaps a little less robust, and that I tend to

get really sick in the spring for some reason--who knows why--I have had C

difficile two years in a row--am battling it now as a matter of fact.

>

> It is just a roller coaster ride, but so far, nothing so bad that my husband

and I haven't been able to weather it together. My family definitely

helps--support network of their prayers and love really keeps me going! As does

this group! I frequently lurk in the background and just absorb--Lottie is a

wonderful friend as are many others like who steered me to Dr Druker when

I was in a state of panic at the beginning because I wasn't responding very

quickly or very robustly to Gleevec. Dr Druker was a wonderful man to meet, and

he put me on 600 mg of Gleevec instead of 400 mg, and changed how I take it (on

an empty stomach as opposed to with a big meal so it is aparently being absorbed

better in my system). My church is also very important to me.

>

> So, now I am on Gleevec 600 mg per day, and so far maintaining a pretty good

solid remission for perhaps 2 years now, with a few glitches here and there

(like when I was in the hospital for a week and they didn't give me my Gleevec

even though I told them I had to have it!).

>

> So, in spite of my doctors, and because of them, and God's loving care, I am

doing well and hope to continue to do so for a long time. I am 55 now, and plan

to live to be 100, so just 45 more years to go!

> Best wishes, and welcome to our little group.

> Vicki in Seattle area

>