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Gleevec Side-effects versus Sprycell, why would someone continue with gleevec?

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I switched to Gleevec after 7 years on sprycell because I thought the sprycell was causing chylous ascites problems. Turns out after 8 months off the TKI drugs it didn't impact the ascites.  I switched for 60 days to Bosulif but stopped as we were still trying to identify if the TKI were the cause of the chylous ascites.

Eventually my BCRABL numbers got to high and so we decided I'd go on Gleevec.  Seemed to make sense, in my mind, Gleevec is tried and tested and (here comes my faulty logic?) with SO MANY PEOPLE ON GLEEVEC IT MUST BE FAIRLY DECENT ON THE SIDE EFFECTS otherwise people would switch to other drugs.... right?

But gleevec, for me, seems kinda awful. Yeah, I know dying of leukemia is awful but I went 7 years on sprycel without much of an issue.

Now on Gleevec I have all sorts of issues, not the least of which are nausea, headaches, dry mouth, and other issues -- and I'm only in my 3rd week.

So I guess everyone is different? I'm trying to find people who LOVE gleevec, who have NO PROBLEM with gleevec, and who just wouldn't switch because it's such a great choice compared to the other TKI's.

So far, I'm still searching.

Thanks

Jim

 

I’m one of them. 600mg. With no issues. 3.5 years now.

Thank you! This is helpful. One and counting.  I think it's the nature of the beast that people who are unhappy with something are more likely to post a comment, so I'm considering that.  I don't want to go running back to the oncologist after just 2 1/2 weeks so I'm going to try and tough it out and hope it abates.

I was very very lucky with the sprycel, never noticed a thing.  I am on a bunch of other drugs for cardiac issues so who knows these these all meld together. I appreciate your feedback.

 

I think that's the key thing. People who get along with it just fine don't regularly post online to say that everything is OK.

I know another member of this forum, Nigel Deekes, says he has no problems with imatinib (400mg, I think). 

David.

I have been on 400mg daily for a 1 year. I was very sick for the first 6 weeks then most of the side effects subsided. Now the occasional diarrhea and nausea. Other than that all is going well.

I took Gleevec for 16 years. The first 6 months were horrible (mostly G.I. symptoms), but for quite awhile there was no other choice. When Sprycell was available, since I flirt with high blood pressure, it was assumed that Gleevec had less "cardio" toxicity. i think since my PCR results were good, my Oncologist felt that "if it wasn't broken- don't fix it".

Hi!!!

I love Glivec, this was the best drug for me but it has not been refunded in Poland since 2014. I was switched to generic imatinib and lost MMR, now I am on sprycel, only after 2 months of treatment I developed pericardial edfusion, I cannot take Bosulif or Tasigna because they kill my skin. My biggest and only dream is to be able to come back to Glivec. Where are you from?

I've been on Imatanib (generic) for 18 months and it seems to suit me.  I had initial side affects for a couple of months.  I do make sure I drink at least 2 litres of water a day, do regular exercise and have a good diet.  I was a headache sufferer before my diagnosis but no longer have them, probably due to increasing my water intake.