--- In Glivec@y..., "Dane Tessler" <dane714@t...> wrote:

> 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.

I stopped my other meds, (hydrea, allopurinal and procrit,) the day I
started taking Glivec. I reduced my hydrea intake a couple of days
before starting, because I worried my counts might drop too fast with
both it and Glivec in my system together - although I know now that
some folks do use a Glivec/hydrea combo. I've never had any trouble
maintaining good counts, but I was taking 2.5 grams of hydrea a day,
which is a large dose for maintenance.

> 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.

Silly me, I've always thought "see food" meant your dinner partner
had their mouth opened wide while eating. <grin>

> 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 regularly 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.

You are surely taking the right approach by getting back into shape
after your period of rest and healing. I do believe us CML type
folks (as a general rule) are in need of much more exercize than we
get, but that is very forgiveable when we usually haven't the energy
that we would w/o having CML.

> After about 6 weeks or so on the drug, my left foot swelled up
> alarmingly. With MD Anderson's approval, my doctor prescribed
> 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.

It's good that you are sharing this experience with us, perhaps
others here have had similar problems with swelling?

> 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.

Cramps are a fairly common side effect it appears, but they are very
treatable, and THAT is good.

> 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!

Yes, I certainly will follow your example in getting proper exercize.
We need our rest and recovery periods, but staying active while
healing helps immensely too, I believe.

> Hope this is helpful.
> Good luck to you.

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

It is very helpful indeed, Dane, thanks so much for sharing with
us! I am really enjoying your web site . . . "Sailing sailing" is
now "playing in my head . . ."

Erick, dx CML 10/20/00
Glivec since 01/31/01
Please visit the Glivec Discussion Group @
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/glivec