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Puffy eyes

I have been taking Glivec since my diagnosis in September 2009 and am apparently responding well. The one side effect I am having is swollen eyes which do tend to improve a little during the day. I would love to feel that my eyes are open again ( although friends say they only notice it when i point it out). I have tried cucumber and a cold eye mask, but neither seems to work. Has anyone any ideas?
Chrissie

I suffered exactly the same on Glivec, a lot of people do! I reduced my salt intake, but then had difficulty with an increase in my cramps, but you could try that first. After that, I went on to take water retention tablets prescribed by my GP and that certainly improved the piggy-eye look!
Vickie

Hi Chissie
You may not want to do this, but I had this when I started on Glivec, and my consultant said apply haemorhoid cream around the eyes before sleeping.
Tony

Hi Chrissie...... unfortunately this is a common side effect of imatinib and there is little that can be done. I had this side effect for the 4 years or so I was taking IM and never really found a way of combatting it. I know that some people have used the creams suggested by Tony with some success. Worth a try.
Sandy

Hi Chrissie,

Although I never got rid of my eye bags completely, drinking water made a massive difference for me. Before dx I drank the 1.5 litres a day but when I was taking Glivec I needed to increase that to around 3 litres, more if drinking coffee and wine.

Also Garnier eye roll on is great for in the mornings, as well as massaging on the eye sockets gently morning and night. Lots of pillows so your head is higher than your body at night also seemed to work.

I have also used the water retention tables and cream which had some success but the cream is hard on sensive skin.

Good luck and take care.
Lynn x xx

Thank you all so much for your tried and tested remedies. I shall be trying all of them in the hope that at least one may help! Mustn't grumble, though, as I feel fortunate that this is the only side effect in my case.
It's so helpful to have this forum and to be able to ask fellow sufferers for ideas. My thanks to you all.
Chrissie

I have been on Gleevec for 5 months now, and have only suffered from one eye being puffy once, it was not sore, just felt uncomfortable, went away after 3 days though.