18 replies to this topic

[Pin]

Hi everyone,

 

I am considering starting an SSRI anti-depressant (celexa "citalopram") as the past few months have not been easy for me (to say the least!).

 

Does anyone have any experience with taking SSRIs and painkillers together as well as Gleevec?

 

I am concerned about increases in bleeding etc. with aspirin or ibuprofen, and obviously we can't take paracetemol (acetaminophen). Also, I can't find codeine on it's own (and pharmacists look at you as if you are a druggie if you ask!).

 

Any knowledge or experience is welcome!

 

Thanks, Pin xx.

 

Ps. have had a bad experience with celebrex ("celecoxib", eye bleed) already, and that was before any SSRIs, but I have not had any trouble with either ibuprofen or voltaren (diclofenac) just on Gleevec.

[snowbear]

If you have chronic pain, why not consider either Elavil (tricyclic) or Cymbalta (SNRI) ?  Both are antidepressants that also relieve pain.  I used Tramadol and Aleve for breakthrough pain and it works really well.   

[pammartin]

I have used Xanax, Cymbalta, and Zoloft while on Sprycel. The first two worked well, I had negative reaction with 100mg of Zoloft. I had rapid heart beat, went 24+ house without sleep, and high anxiety. Ended up getting a shot to stop the effects. But you can't go on my results because everyone is different. I am sorry Pin, was hoping you were feeling better. Hope you find relief soon. Take care.

[Billie Murawski]

Hi Pin,

  I have been on anti-depressants for years. Chemical imbalance or something like that,I tried taking myself off them a few times and I fell right back into the depression and panic attacks.

 I was on wellbutrin at dx. that wasn't enough to help me deal with cml, so my doc(psychiatrist) put me on cymbalta also. I have done very well on both meds. As Snowbear said Cymbalta is also an anti-inflamatory. I'm starting to get a lot of joint pain, and other aches and pains and if I forget to take my dose of cymbalta I sure do know it the next day.

There are so many new meds out there remember if one doesn't work another one will. But be patient it takes a few weeks for you to get the full effect of the med.

 Pin I am on other meds for health problems I have, If I have a headache I take tylonal, if tylonal isn't available I take ibuprofin I got over mixing meds a long time ago I had no choice, I don't like taking pain pills because they make me feel weird, but I have had to take some a couple of times I had no problem except they made me more tired than I already am. I used to be terrified of taking pills, but I have no choice and I've had no problems. I still like my wine,pill bottles say alcohol may increase the effects of this med so I figure I'm saving money, I can get a buzz without drinking so much wine. Just Kidding but what I'm trying to say is don't be afraid to take your meds. If I get a new script for something my pharmacy has a red light or something and they won't fill it I was on nexium for a few years and one day out of the blue my doc called me and said I can't take it anymore because I take plavix so he put me on protonix.

 Just make sure you check out any vitamins or other over the counter drugs with your pharmacist.

                        Good Luck Billie

[gerry]

Hi Pin,

My original specialist told me it was okay to take paracetamol as long as your liver results are okay. I would take forinal etc when I needed it. No impact on my liver.

[Trey]

They are generally OK to use with TKI drugs.  Some side effects can be compounded (especially fatigue).  Starting with low dosage would be advisable.

 

http://www.mayoclini...ts/art-20049305

[Pin]

Hey guys, thanks for your experiences and advice - I have a neck injury causing pinched nerves that has really thrown me about, it is 'chronic' technically, but it is supposed to heal, it is just taking a long time and has caused other problems as well that have made my life very difficult on top of the cml. I have been having trouble coping for a while now, it is just the straw I guess.

Thanks again.

xx

[gerry]

HI Pin,

 

Everything takes longer to heal on the Gleevec, so understand what's happening to you. I think you've said you're getting accupuncture for it as well. That seemed to be one of the things that helped with my injuries, mind you it still took months to get better.

 

I can remember just stretching and hurting my shoulder and I still carry an issue in my calf muscle where I think it tore during a cramp from the Gleevec.  Hope the medication improves things for you. OOXX

[jjg]

Hey Pin, Sorry about the neck and associated issues. The physical toll of treatment on our bodies, particularly the slow healing and general falling apart wasn't something I expected at dx. It's a big challenge for those of us who were physically active.

I was dx in my late 30s so at an age where I would normally be starting to slow a little (although not at the rate the TKIs have induced). If it had been a few years earlier at the age you are it would have been so much harder so I suspect you've done a good job at coping. Hopefully you can get on top of feeling better within yourself and also get on top of the pain too.

[Pin]

Thanks guys, I appreciate the support - I really haven't experienced anything quite like this before. I've had a lot of injuries, I get them all the time, usually overuse ones. But this has just been something else, it's been so much harder to cope with this type of nerve pain, and the numbness and tingling is so uncomfortable, like I am constantly sitting on my hands or something. It's so hard to concentrate, and I already have the dumb already because of the Gleevec, I am forgetting more and more things. It's like I can't make new memories or something. And I am having such trouble trying to balance a heap of medications. I feel as thought I am aged beyond my years Fingers crossed I can hang in there for the next few months. Thanks for letting me vent a bit!

[Gerry - CML]

Pin where are you sitting in your test results?

[Pin]

MR4.0 (detected but <0.01) since June 13. I reached MR4.0 at 9 months, but then went up a bit to 0.04 over around 9 months, then back down again. My doctor is of the school that won't let me trial no meds unless it is for a reason (pregnancy).

[Gerry - CML]

Would he consider you dropping your Gleevec level down a bit for awhile - 300mg, I found there was a difference in the side effects for muscles with the lower dosage.

 

Had bad memories a couple of weeks ago when I stretched my leg when I woke up and got a major muscle cramp in the calf.

[Billie Murawski]

Would he consider you dropping your Gleevec level down a bit for awhile - 300mg, I found there was a difference in the side effects for muscles with the lower dosage.

 

Had bad memories a couple of weeks ago when I stretched my leg when I woke up and got a major muscle cramp in the calf.

Gerry do you take magnesium? I used to get bad cramps in my legs until I started taking it I don't think I've had a cramp for about 4 years. It helps with rls too.

[Pin]

I doubt it, she's pretty inflexible in her views. I'll ask at my next appointment though. Trey is right about the compounding - the cramps, eye puffiness, and fatigue have returned two-fold...

[gerry]

Pin,

I'm sorry to hear they've made your side effects worse.

[gerry]

Hi Billie,

 

Yes I'm on the magnesium, I'm also currently on tumeric (don't tell Trey though). My accupuncturist has given me something to try to help with the muscle pain, but I'm figuring there is a bit of tumeric in it as I'm getting a few extra bruises. lol

 

We've had some really hot nights over the last month as it is summer here, so might have been some dehydration, can't blame the Gleevec anymore.

[klf2013]

Hi Pin,

I was taking Celexa prior to my CML diagnosis and have continued on it. I took Ibuprofen when I had the flu a few weeks ago. I think I took too much because I developed all kinds of epigastric pain. oops.

[Pin]

It's ok Gerry, I'm sure it will settle down.

 

Thanks klf - I appreciate you sharing your experience, helps to know I'm not alone.