Hello Erik, et. al.

I only had a two day break of medication when switching from INF to
Glivec...so it took a while for the side effects of the former to wear off.

As they did, food began to smell and taste good again! So at first, I went
on a see-food diet. (you know, see it and eat it). I was underweight at
the time so a little meat on my bones was welcome.

Unfortunately, even though I started to watch what I eat, I shot right
past my desired weight and am now about 20 lbs more than I would like.
After three months on Glivec....I am feeling good enough to exercise
regulary and concentrate harder on my diet, and I seem to have turned the
tides slightly. The exercise, although difficult at first due to the
sedentary nature of the past 6 months, is starting to pay off in terms of my
stamina and general feeling of well being.

I believe the weight gain has a lot to due with the drug as it certainly
caused bloating and water retention.
After about 6 weeks or so on the drug, my left foot swelled up alarmingly.
With MD Anderson's approval, my doctor perscribed Lasix which didn't really
help that much. After about 3 weeks, (still on Lasix) the foot started to
return to normal and now the swelling is very minor. I believe this is a
physical adaptation to Glivec, rather than the Lasix therapy.

I have experienced the leg and foot cramping as well. What has worked for
me is walking and stretching exercises, which has greatly reduced the
frequency of the cramps.

If your experience is similar to mine, you are only a week or so from
really feeling better. The best advice I can give you is when you feel you
are getting more energy....use it!

Hope this is helpful.
Good luck to you.

Dane Tessler
dx June 2000
Glivec November 2000
visit us at www.danesweb.com



----- Original Message -----
From: "Erick" <fossileyesd@...>
To: <Glivec@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Friday, February 09, 2001 2:06 AM
Subject: [Glivec] Re: New to List CML 3 Months on Glivec


> Greetings Dane,
> Welcome to the Glivec discussion group! I see that you are one of
> the brave ones that accepted INF as a treatment, but that
> unfortunately it did not work for you. Isn't it wonderful that we
> have Glivec as an option now?
>
> (I noticed you have posted about gaining weight and suffering cramps
> in another discussion group, I hope you don't mind me responding to
> that here.)
>
> I have been taking Glivec for only nine days, but I believe that I'm
> already gaining weight. I suspect it is because I just seem to have
> more of an appetite than I did while taking Hydroxyurea. But I also
> feel less burdened by my illness because of the hope I have in Glivec
> as a treatment, and that may be making my food processing more
> efficient. Less energy being expended in worrying <grin>.
>
> Perhaps your appetite is better because you are no longer using INF?
> I understand it can be a real appetite suppresser.
>
> I had lost too much weight before diagnoses, so gaining some back is
> good for me, I'll just try to "put it on" in the right places, not
> just as a "spare."
>
> I haven't had any cramping yet, but I've noticed many posts in the
> CML International Support Group addressing that issue. Most folks
> seem to do well taking calcium and magnesium supplements, and a
> search using "cramps" in that group's messages will offer much good
> advice.
>
> I hope you will keep us posted on your progress. It does sound like
> Glivec is helping you already and I hope that you will soon be all
> clear of those onerous PH+ cells!
>
> Erick, dx CML 10/20/00
> Glivec since 01/31/01
> Please visit the Glivec Discussion Group @
> http://groups.yahoo.com/group/glivec
>
>
>
>
>