Hi,
I was diagnosed in November of 2007. Within in a week, I had a gallon of blood drawn, a CAT scan and a BMB. It was like I was hit by a train. At that time 94% of my blood was altered with the Philadelphia chromosome. My hematologist told me that my first cell to change DNA was at least 25 years ago as it would have taken that long to change all the trillions of cells a body has. Has anyone else been told this?
Does anybody take vitamin supplements with Gleevec? My dosage from the start is 400 MG daily. I know it's a very sensitive med and I wondered if there are certain vitamins that will interfere with it. What kinds of pain meds do you all take for the joint and bone pain? I try not to take any Motrin unless I absolutely have to but, there are those days when it's a must.
Does anyone still have liver and spleen swelling? I had my second bout last month and both were just as much enlarged as they were at diagnosis. I had another episode about a year ago and went to my family medicine doctor because I was convinced my hematologist was missing something. The results were that my spleen and liver were enlarged...duh!!! My blood levels have been normal 2 months after starting on the Gleevec. But, I'm still having night sweats, mind the heat terribly, and remain tired and unmotivated.
I've read just about everyone's postings but needed to see if anybody can answer my questions and/or relate to my continued symptoms.
Muscle cramps...in bed, asleep is when I get mine the worse. And I know some of you will think I'm nuts, but I've been cramp-free since before Christmas just by doing this simple thing. I moved down a foot or so in the bed so that my feet hang over the edge of the mattress. I have put 2 rows of pillows at the head of the bed and I sleep on the second set. I still toss and turn all night long but for some reason, having my feet hang over the edge and a 90 degree angle keeps the muscles from relaxing too much and knotting up when you move. Try it and see if it helps. I would get such debilitating contortions of my legs and feet that I couldn't even stand and would have to use a walker to ambulate. If this only helps one person, it was worth posting it.
Thanks in advance,
Dora
