11 replies to this topic

[MJL]

Any one taking a diuretic  And if so do you take it at the same time as your Gleevec?  My G.P. put me on Lasix for a short time to get rid of the fluid retention caused by Steroids.

Thanks, MJL.

[GerryL]

Though my hematologist prescribed some diuretics for me he wasn't too keen that I take them. Had a bit of a laugh when he told me to only take them when I needed to, then realized I couldn't necessarily predict when I might need them.

I've started taking celery seed instead. One of my pharmacists (who worked in an oncology pharmacy and knew all about Gleevec) gave me the okay to take them - he triple checked everything. Probably won't work quite as well as the prescribed medication, but I am hoping to also skip the side effects with the others.

[helenet]

I take lasic every day -- the smallest dose usually--- there is no interaction that I know of with Gleevec. I normally take the Gleevec in the evening (9pm) and the lasic in the morning-- both with no problem.  Helene

[Cathy]

I take diuretics for a few months now. My eyes swell up every day if I don't I have had no problems. I take my Gleevec at night and diuretic in the morning also works well.

good luck!

Cathy 

[MJL]

Celery seed like you buy in the spice section of the supermarket, or is there something available at the drug store? I had to stop the Lasix, I was having unbelievable leg and foot cramps, I occasionally get them since starting Gleevec but these were horrific and I was not getting any sleep, then my legs and feet would be sore all day. I tried increasing my potassium intake but it did not help, maybe it did, can't imagine the cramps being any worse than they were though. My ring finger on each hand would cramp too. I see my Onc, anxious to hear what he will have to say.

Thanks all,

MJL.

[hannibellemo]

MJL,

Dr. Druker prefers diazide because it does not deplete potassium like Lasix. You might ask your onc to let you give that a try and see if it works better for you in terms of lessening the cramps.

Good luck.

Pat

[GerryL]

Hi MJL,

It is celery seed supplements that you buy at a pharmacy or health food store. I need to wait until end of May to be truly sure it doesn't interfere with my Glivec as that is when my next appointment with my Specialist is. I'll update this thread then with the outcome. Talk to your doc about Pat's suggestion first.

The other thing I noted that though you can reduce the additional salt you add to food, and some foods are easy to tell that they are salty, you still need to be careful with what you eat/drink. I was drinking coconut juice with my lunch and my feet appeared to be worse in the evening - checked the bottle and sodium is added to it. Didn't drink it yesterday and had very little swelling.

Have you tried taking a Calcium & Magnesium supplement to help with the muscle cramp - just be sure to take it more than three hours apart from when you take your Gleevec, as the two things interfere with each other.

Gerry

[GerryL]

Just a quick update - though the celery seed probably doesn't work as well as a prescribed diuretic, I have noticed the muscle spasm/cramp I get in my calves hasn't happened for a while. When I looked up celery seed, it is also used to control muscle spasms. Can't recommend it yet, as I haven't had my blood work done since starting it and won't have it done till end of May, so don't know yet if it has an impact on Gleevec.

Gerry

[MJL]

Thanks Gerry will keep that in mind.

MJL.

[janekaye]

I may be the odd one out here, but I've been taking 60-80mg of lasix for about a year now - recommended and encouraged by both my oncologists.  I take it with my Sprycel in the morning and have had no problems.  Helps with all of the various swelling caused by the TKIs and for me, with the pleural effusions.  I guess we're all different.

-janekaye

[GerryL]

I think I will pay a visit to my GP about a Diuretic - but I'll keep taking the celery, it is nice to be able to stretch my legs in bed without worrying they are going to cramp up on me. I might also slip in and get a blood test so I can review it with my GP. Won't tell me everything, but at least I'll know how my cholesterol looks and if my WBC is okay.

Does anyone take their TKI in the morning and also take a diuretic?

Gerry

[GerryL]

Well, went to see the GP, not the one I like to see now, but never mind. In the end, she didn't really want to prescribe a diuretic for me. So for the moment I will continue with the celery seed, but am also increasing the amount of greens into my diet. Cabbage, cauliflower and broccoli are supposed to help. I'm also hoping to get another side benefit - if I nibble on these things through the day, I hopefully won't feel as hungry and look for chocolates and biscuits to eat. Fingers crossed might be able to loose some weight.

Funny thing is the extra fibre hasn't given me any GI issues - I figure after you have experienced the Gleevec sharts, my gut probably figures cabbage is a piece of cake. 

Gerry