4 replies to this topic

[Tenderheart]

Hi everyone, I want to ask about Gleevec nausea. I have been on Gleevec for 7 years and have struggled with the nausea off and on all the time. I am on 600 mg now, and I take it in divided doses, 2 after breakfast and 4 after supper. I can't tolerate it at work, too much heartburn/indigestion in midday. For the first few years I couldn't tolerate a therapeutic dose because of the nausea. At that time I took Reglan twice a day, as well as a PPI like Nexium. Of course now it isn't recommended to take Reglan long term, and my insurance doesn't cover Nexium. So some changes in meds and lots of changes in diet. I never eat large meals or fatty or very spicy meals, and never eat meals late at night. I do use things like crackers between meals if I need to, buttermilk or Sprite sometimes...

But I have persistent nausea worsening over the last several weeks. My doc is doing a workup--CT was neg. and having EGD this week, but it seems it is going to be gastritis from the Gleevec.

So now down to my question. Does anyone else have this problem, and how do you control it better than I have? I do have Compazine 5 mg tabs I take, and I can take one at work if I have to. Then I have Phenergan 25 mg., and I can never tolerate a whole tab, just half--and it is so very sedating. There has to be another solution. Oh, and instead of the Reglan 30 min. before eating, I take Pepcid 10 mg. But it is still not really controlling this.

Suggestions?????

Thanks so much!  

[Susan61]

HI:  The nausea is something that I do not get anymore after being on Gleevec since 2000.  I get it once in a great while depending on what I ate.  I found eating a good substantial meal before taking my Gleevec prevented the nausea.

     I do take the Nexium for the GERD problem.  I have had some medications that my insurance did not want to pay for, but as long as my doctor filled out a form telling them that the certain medication was the only one I could take they allowed it.  Maybe you can do something like that with the Nexium.  I have to say the Nexium is the only one that has worked so well for me.

    I hope you can get some relief and some answers.  I only take 400mg. of Gleevec.  It seems like the 600mg is what is making you feel so sick, even though you are splitting your doses.

   Maybe someone else has the same problem, and can advise you what to do.

[Tenderheart]

Thanks, Susan, for the advice, esp about the Nexium. I'll talk to the doc about that...

[Tenderheart]

Thanks, Billie, for taking the time to respond about this. I am beginning to think you are right about changing meds. I'll see what the test results are this week. Gotta do something. I so appreciate the help. Donna