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Regarding Glivec

I had CML for past 1 and half years. I take glivec 400mg for past one year. Now my doctor increased my dosage from 400mg to 600mg.I want to know it will good to increase the dosage or not? already 400mg gave a lot of side effect.what about 600mg side effect?before one and half year my weight was 43.now it increase to 50.how can i reduce my weight.if i reduce it means it will cause any side effects? and also i want to know about the food habits for this 600mg dosage.plz give suggestion regarding this.

Hi and welcome to this forum.... Your doctor must have a good reason to increase your dose. Have you asked him why? It may be that he considers your response to 400mg is not as good as he would like.... it may help you if you could find out what your blood counts are and therfore how good your response has been after 18 months of therapy.
Have you had a cytogenetic response and if so what is the percentage of ph+ cells left in your marrow?
If you understand the figures then you will understand why you may need to increase your dose.
The side effect profile between 400mg and 600mg is really ... in my experience... not very different, although others might disagree and it does depend on the individual.
You are obviously concerned about putting on weight, but most people seem to have this side effect when taking Glivec, so you are not alone.
In my opinion it is important to think about your health rather than your weight and that you continue to have a well balanced diet drink lots of plain water and try to eat as much fresh fruit and vegetables as possible. Try to reduce foods that are 'manufactured' like white bread/sweets and cakes etc. and therefore have little nutritional benefit.Choose wholegrain bread, brown rice and pasta.
Most importantly, try to remember why you need to take this drug... even though you may be experience what seem like a lot of side effects, this is preferable to not having access to this therapy at all. If left untreated CML does have a very serious side effect!
I do hope you will be able to talk to your doctor about why you need to increase your dose.
best wishes and good luck,
Sandy

Thanks sandy for your immediate response. ACtually i dont know about cytogenic response.Last time i take FISH test. The result shows that 85% positive.i think may it ph %.i dont know more about that. do u have any idea regarding this?
I joined this group before one year.but at that time i was so depressed.thats why i didnt go through any info regarding CML.but now i am completed came out from that.I want to help others and that time i want to know more about CML and its treatment process plus clear my doudts.
Anyway thanks sandy

Hello Kiruba... Yes you are right, by that test you seem to be 85% ph positive. How long ago did you have this test? This would explain why your doctor wants to increase your dose... in order to get the percentage down further. This is an important goal, and the lower your PH+ % the better..

Where are you being treated?

I am glad to read that you are out of your period of depression. That is a better place to be if you are to continue to improve. I do hope you continue to post here as there are many others who I am sure would be pleased to help and advise you. The more you learn the more you will be able to help yourself and others.

I have just uploaded a webcast that I think would be very helpful for you to watch ...see under newswire on the right of this page. If you can't see the webcast then you can read the transcript. It will help you understand a little more about the tests used to monitor CML and what results you should be looking for.
best wishes,
Sandy