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Started Tasigna yesterday. Is beer ok? Any answers would be great.


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#1 Dsrwbr4536

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Posted 29 May 2011 - 08:16 PM

Hello everyone. I hope that it's ok that I join your discussions. My husband was dx last week and started Tasigna 150 yesterday morning. The day went fine with the exception of a slight headache and a tingly feeling around his mouth. Today was great too. He worked in the yard and did some other chores. My question is regarding beer and Tasigna. Is it ok? He had a few beers today while he was outside. I can't seem to find any info about it. I asked the pharmacy they said nothing came up as showing reactions with Tasigna and beer. Anyone have any experience in this area? Any info would be appreciated. Thank you



#2 Trey

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Posted 29 May 2011 - 08:48 PM

It is generally fine.  But when starting Tasigna, it can be harder on the liver for some people.  So he might want to give the Tasigna a couple months to see if he has any liver enzyme issues show up.  But in general the issue with alcohol is to protect the liver for the long term so we can continue to take the drugs over that long term.



#3 Dsrwbr4536

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Posted 29 May 2011 - 09:37 PM

Thank you so much for the quick answer. I have been reading info on the site for several days but this was my first post. I just have so many questions. He was dx when he went in for a cholesterol check about a month ago. WBC was 31. Last week it was at 45. I apologize for my lack of knowledge but is 45000 right? I am trying to get some of this figured out by reading all of the posts. I wasn't with him at this appointment:( won't let that happen again. So I do not know what his other counts are. If I understand correctly that is very low in comparison to how others start out. Is that correct? He has had no symptoms and his CBC was fine 6 months ago. Also with regards to side effects, how soon will they start to show up? I really need to know what to be watching for. Thank you again.



#4 Trey

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Posted 30 May 2011 - 09:49 AM

He was diagnosed early, which is a good thing.  The side effects will generally appear during the first few months.

Tasigna side effects are listed at this website, but there can be others that pop up.
http://www.drugs.com/tasigna.html

Here is some overview info on Tasigna:
http://www.medicalne...cles/155782.php

http://www.medsafe.g.../Tasignacap.htm

Here are links to some detailed data on Tasigna.  They provide a lot of information about the drug:

http://www.accessdat...7/022068lbl.pdf

http://www.medsafe.g.../Tasignacap.htm

http://www.rxlist.com/tasigna-drug.htm

http://www.hc-sc.gc...._110305-eng.php

http://www.us.tasign...773831525391078



#5 Dsrwbr4536

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Posted 30 May 2011 - 02:46 PM

Hi again. So today is day 3 for my husband on Tasigna. Last night he did not feel very well. He had a few beers so today he is on the wagon.  Could not describe it. Just not right. Today he played 9 holes of golf and he is beat. Can the meds affect someone that quickly? He had so much energy last week and felt great. It is hot here and he is not sure if it is the heat that is bothering him or just being at the course. He also does not have an appetite and is not wanting to eat anything. He says he does not feel sick just is not hungry. He is very positive about everything right now but I am afraid that besides giving up beer(loves it) if it wears him out to play golf that will change. Is this just his body getting used to the meds? Will it just take time? Thanks for any input.



#6 Trey

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Posted 30 May 2011 - 04:03 PM

Many people have initial deep fatigue, probably a combo of the CML and drugs together.  I had that experience, and I was back to walking 18 holes within 6 months.  Fatigue can linger on for some people.

Give him a few weeks to get through the initial side effects.  Over time the body adjusts to many of them.  We are all different so each person has their own set of side effects and levels of severity.



#7 WoofWoof

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Posted 30 May 2011 - 05:59 PM

Ditto what Trey has told you. Re:beer- My Onc. said an occasional glass of wine or beer  is OK he just didn't say how large the glass could be! I would be very cautious at first & limit yourself to just 1 a day for now. 

All the best to you.


I have cancer but it doesn't have me


#8 Dsrwbr4536

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Posted 30 May 2011 - 08:27 PM

Thanks so much Trey and WoofWoof. He had one beer today(holiday you know) and is feeling much better tonight. Back to work tomorrow. I hope it goes ok. He works long hours but drives a forklift and is inside with ac so I am hoping it will not wear him out too badly. I hope you are both feeling well and have had a wonderful holiday.



#9 CDW

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Posted 31 May 2011 - 02:42 PM

First of all I can fully relate to your husband's love of beer - that was a shock for me. I wasn't a big drinker but do miss quality brew. when i started Tasigna I found myself having hangover like symptoms for the first 1-2 weeks and some fatigue to go with it. I was in a slightly worse condition than your husband so did have some recovering to do. My white blood cells came down from 108k to ~3k, which was low and my platelets (I think) were also low giving me fatigue. This resolved itself after about 5-6 weeks and I started feeling good/normal from then onwards.

Despite my love of beer I gave it up and switched to non-alcoholic beer (I know it's not the same but am getting used to it; Coors and O'Doull's amber ain't too bad). I'm glad I did stop as about 3 months into Tasigna my liver values (ALT/AST) started rising and got real close to 3 times upper normal limit. It is at that point onc may choose to suspend the meds to let the liver recover and prevent long-term damage. Fortunately my values came back down and everything has settled to approx normal in the 5 month range. Everybody makes their own decisions and I'm happy with the one I made not to drink. Although alcohol in moderation isn't terrible, I wanted to give my body every chance possible to fight the disease and accept the meds. Having said all that I've got a real chocolate vice now.

As for golf - it was my fatigue following 18 holes that prompted me to go to the doc and subsequent dx. I could happily walk 18 now, 6 months after dx, but my game is pretty poor so I end up walking twice as far as everyone else in my group, so cart wins.

good luck

chris






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