9 replies to this topic

[Jerry.s]

Been thinking about moving from gleevec to sprycel but I train heavy juijitsu with heavy cardio . Anyone one sprycel that could share there stories I am 38 and would love to continue to train . I also lift 3 times a week , I can manage my side effects with coconut waters and plenty of potassium . Any thoughts ? Concerns ?

[JohnFromChicago]

Hi Jerry. I have been on Sprycel 100mg since I was diagnosed in October. I am 28 and I lift weights fairly heavy three times per week and I also run three miles two times per week. I drink 10oz of gatorade after I workout, I have always done this though not a change since diagnosis. I  also take Magnesium Oxide with dinner (opposite timing of my Sprycel) . This I started after having low magnesium levels and muscle twitching (I'm guessing this would have happened regardless of my physical activity). I have not noticed any change in my lifting or running abilities since I was diagnosed. 

[scuba]

Hi Jerry - just make sure you get enough Magnesium (I take Magnesium Taurate ~ 400mg) per day. I run 3 miles per day alternating with high intensity sprints. No issues while taking Sprycel - albeit I take only 20mg of Sprycel per day. I have no side effects that I feel.

[Marnie]

Hi, Jerry.s

 

I've been on Sprycel (started on 100 mg, now on 50 mg).  I've always been very active with snowboarding, kayaking, motorcycling, hiking, whatever.  I haven't had any problem with Sprycel affecting my ability to exercise. 

 

Good luck,

Marnie

[CallMeLucky]

So I'm the odd man out but to be fair Gleevec was worse for me than Sprycel.  I get really bad muscle recovery since I started taking these meds.  So I can do the exercise but then the soreness lasts for a ridiculous amount of time and it hurts a lot.

I was doing P90X and Insanity when I was Dx 6 years ago.  These days I find it difficult to do any exercise without a lot of muscle pain.

 

One thing I am looking into is a drop in Testosterone since going on TKI, I am at the barely normal level.  I may start to supplement, which I am hoping will help with the muscle problems.  I go back to the doctor in another week or two to review the hormone panel and make some decisions.

 

I'm 43yr old.

[trailcml]

Hi Jerry. Also on imatinib (400mg) and run ~25 miles per week and do cross fit. I drink lots of water and take magnesium supplements to help with the cramping. Luckily, I've never had cramps while running or working out, only at night but the magnesium helps quite a bit. I'm 46 and hoping to get the miles back up to where they were before dx. It's been a slow process for me. I do feel more soreness but I can't tell if that's age or the imatinib. I did find that switching my shoes to Hoka One One's (i.e. the one's with the big cushion) really helped on the long runs.

 

I'm curious to hear why you're considering switching from Gleevec to Sprycel? I was originally put on Sprycel but talked out of it by my 2nd onc due to the pleural effusions which can happen at any time setting back any training goals. It's worked out well for me so far 15 months into treatment.

[mlk210]

Trail- Can I ask when you take your Magnesium in relation to your Gleevec? I was originally on Sprycel and have only been on Gleevec for 3 months. My onc checked my level and I'm low, which explains the muscle cramping. Thanks.

[scuba]

The best times to take Magnesium are right before bedtime (w/ glass of water) and right after exercise.

Taking 400 mg per day is generally the minimum to minimize cramping. Potassium is important as well, but is more easily gained through diet. If you eat fruits and veggies (as well as meat), you're getting plenty of potassium.

[trailcml]

mlk210 - I usually take 500mg before bed along with the imatinib 400mg dose. Not sure if this is optimal but seems to help quite a bit. I have also considered taking some in the morning or maybe at lunch to see if I could eliminate the cramping (which is very minor & infrequent, mostly my hands). I have yet to cramp during a workout and ran for a couple of hours over the weekend in 90 deg heat with lots of humidity. I really think that the magnesium helps quite a bit as well as does drinking lots of water. Hope that helps...

[mlk210]

Thank you, Scuba and TrailCML. Yeah, my cramping isn't horrible, and mostly in my hands and feet. I just didn't know if we should try to space it away from Gleevec.