5 replies to this topic

[GerryL]

A suggestion to try for anyone suffering with muscle cramps caused by Gleevec - I have found Celery Seed seems to stop the muscle cramp happening for me. I originally tried Celery Seed for fluid retention, unfortunately it doesn't do much for that, but the cramping in my legs has ceased. I did notice when I stopped taking the Celery Seed that the cramps returned. I take it at least once a day with my evening meal, twice if I remember to take it at lunch. Just make sure you take it with food as it can give you a bit of heartburn. I checked with my Hematologist, he is happy for me to take it.

I was already taking calcium, magnesium, vitamin D and potassium (banana) but was still experiencing the occasional cramp in my leg.

Gerry

[CallMeLucky]

Thanks for sharing, I may give this a try.  Muscle cramps is one of my top two side effects, right behind fatigue.

[GerryL]

Hi Lucky,

It works fairly quickly - within about a week, hopefully it will work for you.

Gerry

[LoriM58]

Hi Gerry,

glad you have found something to help the cramps.   found anything that works well on the fluid retention??   I started taking HCT for fluid (eyes horrible esp in the am) and last Fri when I went in for bw and appt, my potassium was dangerously low.  (despite the fact that I eat bananas every day)   Had to have potassium IV then on HUGE doses of potassium over the holiday weekend. (those pills are ridiculously hard to swallow!!)  Retested on Tues and potassium level is high end of the normal range.  I have stopped the HCT & potassium for now.   having more bw next tues to make sure Gleevec isn't dropping my potassium level also.    I only took HCT for 3 wks, and thought my cramps were from the Gleevec - low potassium wasn't even a concern to me.   It seems very hard to distinguish side effects from the G and other potentially dangerous levels in my blood.  

thanks for the suggestion of celery seed - I will have to try that!

Lori

[GerryL]

Hi Lori,

I looked up side effects for HCT

• Electrolyte imbalances, including low blood sodium (hyponatremia), low blood potassium (hypokalemia), and low blood chloride (hypochloremia)
  

Gleevec may also contribute to your electrolyte imbalance when combined with the HCT. But if it turns out to be the HCT, and the banana/s are enough to cover your Gleevec potassium levels then you can get fluid tablets that don't impact your potassium levels. I take Moduretic which doesn't affect my potassium levels - not sure if you can get that in the States, but talk to your doctor about it.

Unfortunately the fluid tablets appear to be the only thing that really works for me. But I only take one about every second or third day, whenever the fluid gets a bit much. Celery Seed was the safest supplement to try, as things like Dandelion Tea can impact your liver and our poor old livers work hard enough with the Gleevec.

Hopefully your potassium levels have returned to normal.

Gerry

[LoriM58]

thank you for the info Gerry!   I will def talk to Dr about the Moduretic.  

Have a great day.

Lori