7 replies to this topic

[crob20]

I ended up in the ER a second time after vomitting my gleevec (and the meal I took it with). Didn't get to the Zofran fast enough. My throat swells, my epiglottis, tongue and I end up on prednisone and antihistamines. Any one else ever have this problem?

I am 3 years out and PCRU x 2.

[CMLSurvivor]

I have never heard of the throat swelling due to Gleevec. Your doctor would know for sure, but I wonder if you are allergic to something you ate vs the Gleevec.  I get throat swelling with any type of nuts I try to eat. Especially if you have been on Gleevec for awhile.

[Susan61]

Hi:  It does not sound like the Gleevec was the cause.  It does sound like a allergic reaction.  Did you by any chance eat the same thing both times you vomited.  Being on Gleevec this long and getting to PCRU, does not seem like you would have a problem this late in the game.  I could see someone getting nausea and vomiting if they did not have enough food in their stomach to absorb the Gleevec.  I always have to eat a decent meal when I take my Gleevec.

I hope you find out what caused this

[CallMeLucky]

As others have stated it would be exceptionally odd to develop a reaction to Gleevec after all this time.  I would look for another culprit.

[crob20]

It's not an allergic reaction to gleevec but what it does to my esophagus and throat the second time through because it's so caustic. Sorry, I didn't explain that. No. I ate fresh tomatoes with dinner the first time it happened. LOL. You can imagine what the two did together to the mucosa. This time it was Corned beef and cabbage.

I'm grateful that I had the first episode so that I knew what to do and what had happened.  The first time I was in ICU because of concerns It would continue to swell and cause airway problems.The ENT saw me and clarified that I didn't have an infectious epiglotitis ( the one that is the most likely to close an airway) I was out of there in 8 hours I can tell how bad it is because of that experience and a reference point. It didn't get that bad and they gave me steroids and it cleared right up.

My Onc thinks the gleevec doesn't get out of my esophagus and causes swelling or something so I will be more careful to stay sitting and drink lots of water. I got some ODT Zofran, too.(Oral dissolvable tablets).

Just thought I'd ask if anyone else has had this experience. And if not, just share and tell you what to do if it happens to you, though I'm sure if you felt your airway swelling you would all ready have enough sense to get help!

Carol

[GerryL]

I've thrown up a couple of times with Gleevec - from not having enough food with it and that normally happens within 15 minutes of taking it. I do get throat tissue swelling if I take Gleevec at night as part of the fluid retention, though this happens about 4 hours after I've taken the Gleevec and laid down. So I now take the Gleevec in the morning.

[Trey]

I try to take the Gleevec halfway through a meal.  That way I have something in my stomach to buffer it, and then I eat the rest of my meal which makes sure the Gleevec goes all the way down and stays down. 

Was your issue acid reflux with the Gleevec coming back up?

[crob20]

I have hiatal hernias. That doesn't help but makes it more important to pay attention when I take it. I like the idea of taking it halfway through a meal. Good idea.

Thanks,

Carol