3 replies to this topic

[Dom]

I'm the one who worries a lot around here -- probably more than I should -- but that's my personality. I was diagnosed in February 2014 and my tests steadily declined -- all the way down to 0.03 -- then in my last test it shot up to 0.7 and then, one month later, it was 0.5, essentially the same. So I worry.

My oncologist changed by therapy from gleevec 400 to gleevec 600, which I have been on for about a month. He is reluctant to move to a second gen drug because of the cardio side effects -- I have very high BP and 5 stents. He told me to watch out for water retention, and just this morning I noticed my ankles are swollen. Does anyone else on gleevec 600 have that problem? Will it go away?

I see my oncologist in June, but I may call him if the swelling persists or gets worse.

[gerry]

I used to get it on 400mg. Doc prescribed a diuretic for it. Alcohol, heat and salty meals made it worse.

[Dom]

Gerry, you "used to get it"? You don't now? How long did it take to stop? Right now I find my feet are swollen at night, but less so in the morning. And there has been only slight weight gain, maybe 4 lbs. my pressure doesn't seem bad. And I'm already on a diuretic because of the BP.

[gerry]

Only when I came off the TKI. Though still get it occasionally, something to do with being a girl.
I would take my Gleevec in the morning and by mid afternoon the ankles would be tight and puffy. But for me puffy ankles in the afternoon were better than feeling like my throat tissues were swollen and I couldn't swallow. This used to happen to me when I took it at night. Check yout foods for salt levels as well, lots of hidden salt in things like sauces.
If you are up and moving around it won't be as bad, so weekends weren't as bad as work days. Talk to your onc or your GP about getting a script for a diuretic, means there will more toilet breaks for you though.