7 replies to this topic

[LivingWellWithCML]

Hi,

For those of you who've been taking Gleevec 400mg+ for awhile and have maintained a deep molecular response (4 log or better), which meal has been best for you (breakfast, lunch, dinner?).  Any particular foods that have worked well for you?  To maximize absorption, is it better to take G with less food if you can handle the potential nausea, or is a full meal fine?  I've read that G likes an acidic environment -- maybe I should take it with 1/2 water + 1/2 OJ?  I am in the process of evaluating every aspect of my current TKI routine.

For example, I took Gleevec 400mg early this morning with a banana and a glass of water (just to limit the amount of food potentially getting in the way of G), then I followed with 1 cup of coffee about 40 minutes later, than a large glass of OJ about 30 minutes after that.  Some days, I will take G with a banana and a bowl of Quaker oats + brown sugar + dried cranberries (no milk).  Other days, I'll take G with cereal and no milk, and other days I just can't stand it and will take G with some cereal and a splash of 2% milk.

Would love to hear what the formula has been for folks who have attained great success with Gleevec.

Thanks so much for your input -

[Susan61]

HI Dan:  Don't make yourself crazy trying to figure out what to eat.  You can eat a light breakfast, as long as it does not cause you any nausea.  You can sit down and have Pancakes and Eggs with Bacon if you want to.  I have never had a problem with the absorption of my Gleevec in all the years that I have been taking it.  I always take it with Breakfast.  Sometimes a big breakfast or sometimes just toast and coffee.  Whatever I feel like having is fine.

You can have that bowl of cereal with more than a splash of milk. Nothing stops the Gleevec from doing its job.  I am on Gleevec 12 years the 25th of this month.  Enjoy your meals no matter which one you use to take your Gleevec.

I am also a big coffee drinker.  You will be fine. You asked about molecular response.  I also have been PCRU for over 9 years.

Susan

[GerryL]

Hi Dan,

For me stress plays a bigger part on PCR levels as opposed to what I have for breakfast when I take my Gleevec. I take the Gleevec in the morning due to fluid retention issues - I'd rather have puffy ankles in the afternoon, then waking up feeling like I was choking from the fluid building up in my throat tissues during the night. The only thing I wouldn't take with my Gleevec in the morning is Psyllium Husks/Metamucil as it may reduce or delay the absorption of medications.    http://www.umm.edu/a...lium-000321.htm I also take the majority of my supplements at the other end of the day, just to be sure.

[LivingWellWithCML]

Interesting.  What kind of stress, if you don't mind me asking?  And how do you control it?  This could be a factor for me as well.

And thanks Susan - looks like I can continue to enjoy a delicious cup of coffee each morning.

[GerryL]

I used to suffer from chronic stress due to caring for my mum and still trying to work full time. It got worse as her health failed. Towards the end of her life I started getting a slightly elevated white blood cell count and was diagnosed with CML about a year and a half later. I don't think the stress gave me CML, I just feel that when my body decided to pump out a few mutant cells, that my body was off taking care of the stress related issues and the CML was able to continue to increase. I'm on 300mg Gleevec, due for a blood test at the end of the month and will find out how my PCR level is going mid November. If I can continue with PCRU, I'm going to talk to my doc about being in the Australian STIM trial this time next year. In the meantime I'm doing yoga, using an exercise bike and weights almost everyday and trying to make sure that I watch my stress levels.

I still stress a bit at PCR test time and usually it is prior to having my blood taken, once that's done I figure I can't do much about until I see the results. The other thing is, I have PCR testing done every six months, maybe that's a good thing, I only get to stress about it twice a year. LOL

I've read that you're not able to do your running at the moment due to your ankle, but is there any other form of exercise that you could be doing? Plus you might like to try yoga, tai chi, meditation etc, I've found doing a class makes you stop and try to quiet you mind.

Hope your PCR results are better at the next test.

[Tess]

I used to take gleevec in the afternoon but now i take it with breakfast so I get it over with and dont have to carry pills with me when im out for the day.  I usually eat eggs and toast or a breakfast sandwich which i love, i drink a little water with my pill.    It works for me and i have been pcru since 2006 on 400mg gleevec.

[Pin]

Dan, I have been meaning to tell you is that I finally worked up the guts to change my dosage to night time and one thing it's done is make a huge difference to my energy levels exercising. I used to take my Gleevec about 3 hours before sports games and I just felt so lethargic trying to run around. Now that I take it at night, I usually sleep better too (because it makes me sleepy), and feel a lot less nausea (due to more dinner food). The only problem I feel, is that I am having it with a much wider variety of food (possibly a good or bad thing), and I take it at different times each night, although I'm still not sure how important this is - it was just drummed into me at diagnosis to take it at the same time each day! Anyway, I guess I will (somewhat) know the impact this change has made when I get back my next test results.

This may not be helpful for you, as I know you work different hours and may run at different times of the day anyway, plus I'm not sure when you will be getting back into running, but I just wanted to share my experience with you anyway in case it helps in some way

[pamsouth]

Now and then I take my Gleevec in the morning, but I don't do well.  Feel sluggish.  I usually take care of business affairs in the morning or early afternoon.   if I take the Gleevec in the morning, my brain isn't working as good, slow, speech a little slurred, not to witty or alert.

Seems when I take the gleevec in the early evening, when I am winding the day down, works out much better.

PamSouth