6 replies to this topic

[janner25]

As most of you know, I was diagnosed in October 2010 - it was caught very early.  Dr. put me on 300 mg 2x/day of tasigna.  Side effects pretty much kicked my butt with exhaustion, headaches for a few weeks among other things.  Last week had bronchitis and felt like a truck ran over me.  Was really down - like never before!  Kept thinking I felt fine before diangosis, I take this medicine and I feel horrible...you know how it goes!

Well - today I woke up and didn't feel bad!  Took me a minute to lay in bed and question how I felt - and I said I'm OK.  Got up - went down stairs to get coffee, get my boys ready for school (which ended up being cancelled because of weather - again) and went to the office (I work out of the house).  Worked...got work done.  And here I am at the end of my work day (work from 8-2)...still...not feeling bad - a little more tired than I did earlier in the day - but still not bad! 

Here's hoping the upswing continues!  Dr. said 3-6 months for my body to get used to tasigna.  Been on it just over 3 months...so maybe by 6 months, I'll be BACK - just in time for spring.  Somewhat symbolic - don't you think!  Spring starts new things...

Janice

[knoppl]

I am so glad you feel good. I find that if I feel good, then I am more positive. Spring here we come, I am so ready for it! 

[CallMeLucky]

I've found my side effects cycle.  I can start to feel real achy and sore and then after a few days maybe a week it wears off and I feel kind of normal, usually some other stuff weird shows up intermittently and then it cycles again.  I've noticed the cycles are not as severe over time and appear to be getting longer before they come around again.  I'm hoping this coincides with what I have heard that within a couple of years you can feel pretty normal.

I hope you continue to feel good.

[janmdo]

I've been on Tasigna since July 2010 and I feel like I am getting more normal also.   I  went to get my hair colored today and my hairdresser even said my hair was looking so much thicker and healthier.   I was taking meds to sleep and have been off those for the past couple of weeks and most important, Tasigna is kicking butt!!!   Thank you Lord!!!

[janner25]

That's funny you mention coloring your hair because I have been scared to.  Haven't seen my hairdresser since the week after diagnosis when I got my hair cut - a lot shorter than normal.  Still don't feel like it's grown enough to warrant a hair cut - and have noticed it becoming a lot thinner so I thought why risk the color.  So will wait for the color - until I need the cut .

[knoppl]

I am on Gleevec 400 mg and was diagnosed a year ago. I did see hair thinning the first 6 months but luckily it has slowed down considerably and I have a lot of new growth. I was so nervous about hair cuts and coloring too. I color/highlight my hair regularly and do not see any difference in hair thinning after a color. I do find that the color doesn't seem to stay as long and those nasty grays start showing up again.

[jrsboo]

Dear Lucky,

I too have the cyclical thing, on sprycel.  Am battling bone pain this week, but the skin issues have died down, as has the tongue lesions (I KNOW those will be back, those are the most continuous of the side effects).  But just as Janner said too, most things are starting to get more normal.  I am not my bouncy happy self yet, but I am hoping!

@ Janner: Good for you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  I am so happy that you are feeling better!  I am finding that I can work one day, then take a day off, then work the next, so I think my new schedule will have to be Monday Wednesday and Friday for work.  And just rest up between then.  Tried to do 3 days in a row this week, and then collapsed yesterday.  Cancelled clients, and today am better, got to court, got my client her divorce, and am waiting for last client to show up to sign her Will.

Yay!

Caroline