17 replies to this topic

[tazdad08]

I'm on a very low dose of Tasigna. Have back and neck problems also. I have had the occasional bad pains around the spleen area that sent me to the er a few times. Those ended almost 2 years ago.. the last month I've been having pains in my abdomen in the front and back... very uncomfortable but not enough to double me over. Anyone else have thoughts on this?

[cmljax]

On Tasigna for 8 months and while I've had a lot of other stuff, some bad and some worse, never bad abdominal pain.  What is your current Tasigna dose and what have your PCR's since gong to that dose?

[Trey]

Need a colonoscopy.  Could be diverticulitis, but other possibilities exist.

[cmljax]

My wife has had numerous bouts with diverticulitis and it is nothing to mess around with. It also comes with a fever. It has almost killed her twice, resulting in hospitalization and strong IV antibiotics.  She has diverticulosis (pouched in the colon) throughout her colon so resection of part of her colon is not an option.  She has managed to control it much better through diet and meal size changes.

 

You should see your PCP immediately just in case it is diverticulitis, and Trey is right, the only way to tell for sure is a colonoscopy, which is able to detect/see the pouches in the colon.

[jmoorhou]

It could also be Irritable bowel syndrome, there's alot of info on the web.  What works for me is 4 - 6 gel caps of peppermint oil per day. 

[tiredblood]

Or a CT

[carrie]

I did Gleevec for 10 years. Just started Tasigna. 800 mgs. I have been on it for 12 days. I now have stomach aches, especially after I eat. Someone suggested bloating/digestion. I never had problems with my stomach. I have noticed I burp up air now also. I was going to ask my Onc about it when I go in next. Wish I knew more.

[cmljax]

Try Digest Gold digestive enzyme before meal, a good probiotic and chew fennell seeds right after eating

[SandyG353]

My daughter has many days that she cannot eat.  Each bite she takes creates pain.  She has been through  all tests and no one can figure it out.  We are wondering whether it is a side effect of Gleevec.  Another friend of hers is on Gleevec and has the same problem.  Any suggestions?  I saw the peppermint gel as something to try.  She is taking probiotics.  Anyone have any suggestions?

Trey, do you think Gleevec is causing it.  Every sip of water hurts and every bite of food.  She eats a lot of Sushi.  Can that be it?

[gerry]

Sandy - where exactly is her pain and what sort of pain is it, sharp, dull, etc

[Sneezy12]

If it's Epigastric pain, Pancreatitis should be excluded.

[SandyG353]

In response to gerry, my daughter's abdominal pain is dead center by the belly button and about an inch or 2 below it.  It is like a punching pain. She , also, describes it as throbbing , not sharp,but feels like a punching pain.  Pancreatitis has been ruled out and so have other conditions.  She has gone through all g.i. tests and there is no answer.  I am beginning to think that it might be occurring after she eats sushi or it is a side effect of Gleevec.  Possibly rare, but another friend of hers who is on Gleevec has the same pain in the same spot.

[ROMO]

Serious diverticulitis would mean a breach in your colon. If your still walking and talking you

don't have this. Irritable bowel syndrome is a generalized your tummy area hurts.

But it's a good place to start.

If your troubles can be identified in your stomach. Hears my nonexpert 3 cents.

 

Your stomach has a mucus membrane that is renewed constantly. The younger you are the more

robust this renewal occurs. Some people have a cast-iron stomach.

I think your stomach is getting tired. You been enjoying great fool while eating a TKI.

Out body is our team. Your brain want's it but mabey your stomach don't.

Bland out your diet. Your running a long distance race . Maybe your stomach needs to slow

down. Certain parts might wear out. Other parts will be renewed for the longer haul.

 

Brought to you from someone with no credentials.

 

Romo

[SandyG353]

All test on my daughter done by a G.I. including Ultra Sounds, MRI's , colonoscopy, endoscopy show nothing. Irritable bowel syndrome has been ruled out, I have diverticulosis  and 

don't have the same pain.  She was told to eat small meals every 3 hours for other reasons, maybe due to low blood pressure. or low sugar.  In any case, my thought is that it is either from Gleevec or Siushi.

Since all tests have come out normal, Trey do you have any thoughts on this?

[gerry]

Sushi can cause stomach issues apparently http://www.seattleti...s-your-stomach/

The other thing can be is what she is eating when she takes her Gleevec, wondering if she takes it only when eating sushi if the rice wine vinegar in the sushi makes the stomach slightly acidic and it is possibly not a good combination with the Gleevec. I took my Gleevec at breakfast time with cereal, did get some nausea but no pain.

[gerry]

I am surprised that your daughter doesn't find fluid retention as another side effect, but maybe she doesn't have soy sauce with her sushi.

[Trey]

There is only intestine and bladder in the area described.  Could be from either.  If bowel pain, the pain described is normally a lack of proper movement of material in that area from some cause which must be determined.  And the tests may not see it.

 

Gleevec does not normally cause the issues described but may contribute in a round-about way.  Irritation in the bowel can cause narrowing and partial blockages which trap solids and gas, creating a lot of pain.  Eating into the backup makes it worse.  Since the blockage is normally partial due to narrowing, eating less can cause less pain.  This would not show up in most tests since the colon narrowing due to inflammation may be minor yet still have significant impact.  That inflammation in the bowel can be made worse by Gleevec even though not originally the cause. 

 

She should try an enema when the pain is bad and see if that helps.  If it does, the bowel narrowing from inflammation could be the problem.  Then she can get someone to try to find the source of the narrowing and inflammation.  Diverticulosis leading to diverticulitis is one possibility, but there are others so the source of the problem must be discovered. 

[SandyG353]

Trey, thanks for the feedback. I will give her the information.  She did say that at times she is constipated so it could be that she has blockage.