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New Member - Brian Goodier from Wales

Brian
I have taken the liberty to copy your post to the Forum as it was hidden under the 'what could have caused me to develop CML' section, hence the lack of replies to welcome you to the site.
Your side effects you will find are similar to most. I expect the IFN does increase them though.
As for the stress element, I tend to agree. The effects of stress on the body are largely unproven but I do believe in my case it was caused by stress.
Which part of Wales are you from ? My husband comes from the Pembrokeshire coast which is very beautiful indeed.
Which hospital are you under ?
With very best wishes.
Elizabeth

Brian's post

Hello all!
I have just found this forum and my name is Brian Goodier and I am 49 years of age. I live in North Wales and was diagnosed with CML in June 2006. I am currently on GLIVEC and am also on the `SPIRIT` trial (INTERFERON INJECTIONS once a week). I have recently returned to work after 5 months,and most of the time I feel ok but have a lot of side effects mainly tierdness and `toilet`problems caused by the Glivec. I also have some dry skin and sometimes blurred vision ,and aching bones!
I am very interested in the possible causes of CML and also any prognosis issues.
I feel frustrated as I have never smoked in my life , never been a big drinker and have never been close to radiation!
The only thing I will say is that I have had a lot of stress in my life.
Best regards,,
Brian Goodier

Hi Brian
Welcome to the site.
I was diagnosed a month or so before you and was interested to see your post as I am also on the SPIRIT trial with the Glivec and weekly interferon injections. Are you on the full weekly dose? I'd got up to 180 ug per week for a few weeks but at the moment I'm off the interferon as I was in hospital last month with a bad infection and haven't yet got back up to speed with all my meds. I've also been off work for the last month or so.
Apart from getting infections, I also have tiredness and have to balance the Glivec with domperidone and immodium. I'm also on steroids as the Glivec seems to give me a rash, and the steroids in turn are then are giving me osteopenia!
On the plus side my consultant seems to think the combination of Glivec and Interferon might have contributed to my PCR results dropping from 14% at diagnosis to 0.003% at 6 months, so it seems to be worth perservering, despite the side effects. There are times of course, though when I think Glivec alone might be a better bet! Good luck with your treatment and do keep posting.
Best wishes,
Sarah