Dear all,
I hope the following will be of interest to others in a similar position, but forgive the content, not everyone's cup of tea!
I have been on 600 mg of Imatinib since October 2005, and the problem side effect for me is Diarrhoea, sometimes explosive. I have to go to the toilet at least twice a day, and this is a minimum. Watching the diet is imperative, or I really pay for it. I suffered on 400 mg, and it got worse on 600 mg. I have discussed diet etc. with Consultants over time, but always felt that I would have to get on with it. Anyway, a small price to pay for otherwise good health but it does get me down.
I discussed it again at the Hammersmith on the 6th. Feb, and was advised to split dose to 300 mg morning & evening, or 400 mg & 200 mg. and see if things improve. Well 12 days on and I have seen a marked improvement. Early days, but encouraging. I also wonder whether less toilet visits will mean that Imatinib is in my system longer and therefore I may achieve a lower PCR? Hope so, as I seem to have reached my level of not quite a 2 log reduction.
No doubt others in a similar position will discuss dose splitting with their Consultant before trying it.
Best Wishes,
Phil.
