Hi Calalily!
I am so sorry to hear that were dx with CML but glad you found this site. I was dx back in March and this website has indeed helped me in many ways. You will get lots of your questions answered here by people that have / are going through the very same thing as you are
Between the two drugs was a huge choice for me too. at the end of the day, I took Tasigna. I found out that Tasigna has less side effects then the rest with a faster results. I asked the Dr when I was tryng to decide what would he do it it was his wife and without hesitation he responded Tasgina. I am happy I did make this choice but you will have many that say Gleevac works just if not better then Tasigna. But at the end of the day it is your choice. I cannot comment on Gleevac but there are many on here that can.
I can tell you from my experence I only had a rash. it was a rash that i let get out of hand, i thought it was just an itchy spot that turned into an entire body rash but I didnt realize that was one of the side effects. I didnt do my homework. I did call my Onc and he gave me some meds that took it away very quick. So that is only thing that I have had. So I feel very fortunate.
I take Aleve or Tyelnol for any kind of headache or pain. and has worked just fine.
As far as the bone marrow biopsy, the first one I had i was put to sleep (that was the Onc Idea) the one at 6 months I insisted to be put a sleep. I was scared to death and felt I have enough to deal with that i dont need that extra stress. Its a piece of cake going that route. I have heard horror storys on it and the,n i have heard that it wasnt that bad. I wasnt going to chance it at all ! I hate pain!!
going back to Tasigna my blood counts were all normal in 2 weeks. When I say normal, my wbc was 201.7 and two weeks later it was 7.2 with everything else pretty much in check. I really felt like a winner for sure!! I too do not know of the long term of Tasigna, but I wanted the newest and latest pill to get the fastest results. and I was really scared of being sick all the time. Now saying this I didnt know for sure i wasnt going to get sick but the chances were very good that i wouldnt. and has turned out good.
I wish you the very very best, this site has calmed me down answered my questions and helped me understand lots.
Take care!
Kris