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First night on Dasatanib

and it didn't really go to well, much worse than when I started on Imatinib.  I know from expereince it will get better over tie as my body copes but wondering if my experience was the norm and what else i can look forward to...

So i took it the same way I did the Imatinib (although not specifically because that is what you have to do) just before my evening meal with a big glass of water, old habits hard to break.  All was fine really until about 2 am when I started to feel very ill:

  • First off was the nausea which got worse and worse and a trip to the bathroom was needed.  Although in the end nothing came up.
  • Whilst waiting to be sick I started to get cold sweats and ended up just lying on the bathroom floor until the episode passed.
  • From then until about 6 am I was wracked with a feverish shivering every few minutes.  Eventually exhaustion took over and I fell into an on off sleep.
  • I also experienced loads of muscle and bone pains, especially in my knees and ankles.
  • Throbbing head, not a headache but like when your nassal passagways are blocked and there is a pressure build up.

After taking some ibuprofen and many cups of sweet tea today, as well as a trip back to bed I feel much better.  Most of the pain is gone but the dull ache in my head is not.

If I hadn’t just taken some new drugs |I would have sworn I had flu or something as that what it felt like.  Anyway I will take the tablets again tonight and hope for a more comfortable sleep.

 

rob

Hi Rob,

I have been on Dasatinib since I was diagnosed last August. I haven't been on Imatinib  so my situation is not the same as yours.

However, I had concerns about the side effects before starting the medication and discussed these with my consultant. One option I put forward was to take 1  x50mg tablet in the morning  and one in the evening, with the thought that it is not hitting your body quite as severely as taking the 100mg dose in one go. He saw no reason why not to take this approach and I've been doing so ever since.

The side effects are minimal (touch wood ) with just the occasional eye lid swelling and a rash now and again.  I play squash, run and play 5 a side and generally feeling in decent shape with DASATINIB. My consultant is  pleased with progress so far, so it looks like the  2 tablet  approach is OK,

However. I would recommend talking it through with your Consultant as it may not be right for you. Worth asking the question though.

 

Good Luck and hope your second night is better.

Cheers

Dave Marsland

Thanks for that Dave - I was told to take mine all at once.

Anyway over the weekend have felt progressively better, the only thing I still have is a dull ache behind my eyes

rob

Hi Rob... on reading your post I was surprised at your reaction to your first dose of dasatinib. I have never taken it but I have not heard others describe the effects you had- good they have now subsided.

I know the recommendation is to take it all in one go but if you ask your doctor next visit it might be that that recommendation has changed over time.

Maybe you did have flu as all the symptoms you described are the same as I had over xmas when I suffered a bout of the current flu virus. It would be bad luck on your part but it might explain your bad reaction..... especially the headache and sinus pressure.

Hope all settles down for you

Sandy

Rob

Speaking from position of complete ignorance as i have always been on Glivec, check out Jerry's site where he has special Sprycel page - I thought the headache was a very standard first symptom that disappears within a relatively short time span but there are loads of posts on the side effects on his site.

All the best

Hope you're finding it a bit easier now Rob.

I've experience of taking Dasatinib at different doses.

The interview with Professor Apperly (currently one of the links on the home page of this site) goes into what's a desirable dose from the point of view of most effective treatment.

I suffered a headache initially and, at 150 mg and 100 mg a day have had various side effects  the worst of which I could only manage if I took Tramadol.

At some stage your immune resistance to infection - of all kinds (and the symptoms that go with them: cough, cold,  headache etc) - may be reduced as a result of the Dasatinib. This will mean "bugs" you happen to get in the normal course just take longer to clear up. They're not a side effect of the drug though.

Be ready to talk to your GP sooner rather than later about something to treat any infection. I try to avoid public transport, crowded places and take a lot of care to wash my hands - they're the most usual way to pick up  an infection. Pain killers are useful too, although not all the time.

Best of luck,

John

I did visit 2 hospitals in one tiring day so maybe some sort of of flu type thing (it was worse than the usual man flu:P) or just a coincidence, things have gotten a lot better since then.

thanks

rob

Thanks Annie - it is a good read and some great info

the link for others is http://www.newcmldrug.com/bms_discuss/default.asp

rob

Strangely enough on the last 4 years being on Imatinib I have sufferred less coughs and colds than prior to dx, and this with having contact with my 2 boys and a wife that works in a school where all the bugs are spread ;)

My expereince was though that if i did come down with something it was usually for a short period of time, but usually knocked me out, but recovery was also swift.

Will see how I get on with Dasatanib

The headaches still there, managed on ibuprofane, dulla ches behind my eyes probably related and still a few minor aches and pains but the other things have gone..

rob

 

It's nice to know I am not alone with my suffering and that things should settle after time.

I started taking Dasatinib last Thu having taking Imatinib since my transplant nearly 2 years ago. I changed in the hope of increased energy levels. I took my pill at 7pm when I went to bed, woke about 3 feeling sick and a pounding headache. Was sick several times and the other end decided to get involved as well (wish we had a his 'n' hers loos). I am now day 5, still get the trots each morning and tend to be sick once. The headache is a nightmare and sleep is very ellusive. I've gone from having an energy problem to none whatsoever. I hope like you things will soon start to settle down.