18 replies to this topic

[Taylor]

Hi all,

I'm considering taking a multivitamin again.  I always took them when I was into working out and exercising, along with extra Vit. C.  I know it tells us to not take any supplements without telling our doctors, which to me makes as much sense as asking them before we order a meal at a restaurant--provided that the vitamin doesn't have anything "fancy" or out of the ordinary in it.

However, I notice that with my Tasigna, it specifically states to avoid Vitamin E; most complete profile multivitamins include Vitamin E that have high daily value of Vitamin E.  Is this for blood thinning issues by chance?  My platelets have been consistently good once my counts stabilized.  In any case, I'm wondering if it's advisable to try to find a multi-vitamin without the E.

Any suggestions on this matter?  I might end up having expensive urine if I buy some mega vitamin, but my diet isn't the greatest and at times when I do supplement a few things, it helps me feel evened out as far as side effects and other things are concerned.  Thanks!

[Trey]

I do not believe that the official Novartis Tasigna Prescribing Information pamphlet suggests avoiding Vitamin E:

http://www.pharma.us...pdf/tasigna.pdf

What tells you a different story?

[Taylor]

Hmm--thanks Trey.  When I received my medicine, the hospital had a somewhat unofficial (definitely not from Novartis) info sheet on Tasigna; it lines up with most things but there was a line that said don't take fish oil, garlic, ginko, and vitamin E.  Being Italian, I conveniently "forgot" I saw that one, though.

[jenz]

Can any of you women out there with CML recommend a daily multivitamin you take? I was advised which ever one I choose it should be without Iron.  So the only one I have found is Womens Once a Day 50+ which excludes Iron but it does contain Ginkgo Biloba Extract which concerns me.  So now I am on the hunt looking for a new one to try out.

Jen

[CallMeLucky]

Do you know why they said no iron?  Is that becuase of TKI drug or is something to do with being female?

[jenz]

My oncologist at U. of Chicago said that iron can aggrevate the CML cells to produce faster.

[jjg]

Really!!! Gleevec is coated with iron:

http://www.nlm.nih.g...ds/a606018.html

http://gistsupport.m...f_Gleevec_Pills

[GerryL]

Strange - my original hematologist prescribed iron tablets, and my current hematologist has me continuing with the iron tablets; and I'm currently sitting at somewhere between an MMR and a PCRU after 12 months.

I think I've read that Gingko (in relation to Gleevec) is considered to be an inducer for the liver, so it may have an impact on the uptake of the TKI. 

[Trey]

Jen,

I will need to add this to my ever-growing list of TDTIEHAOS*.  Your Onc is expelling pure bovine sharts, and I would like to have that for my garden.  Leukemic cells and good blood cells need the same things.  Does your Onc think that leukemic cells are somehow aligned with the magnetic North Pole or something?  "Caution: do not hold a compass while treating CML".

I take the Waltz-mart generic Equate that is a Centrum look-alike.  It has iron, which is a good thing.  And cheaper and just as good.

* The Dumbest Things I Ever Heard An Onc Say

[CallMeLucky]

I emailed my doctor to clarify on the Iron because I am currently taking a multi with Iron and they responded it was fine either way with or without Iron.  I had assumed the Iron would be good to try and battle the fatigue a little.  So for now, I'll stick with it....

[cleocans]

That is good to know, cause my onc. has me taking Iron supplements 3 times a day.  They have helped so much.

[Lizzybee]

My oncologist told me it is fine to take a multivitamin with Vit E, but not to take any other Vitamin E supplement.

[TeddyB]

I was also wondering about adding a Multivitamin to my diet.

It contains the following:

Vitamin A	300 µg
Vitamin B1	0,7 mg
Vitamin B2	0,8 mg
Vitamin B3	9 mg
Vitamin B6	0,8 mg
Vitamin B12	1 µg
Vitamin C	40 mg
Vitamin D	5 µg
Vitamin E	5 mg
Folic Acid	75 µg
Magnesium	75 mg
Iron	5 mg
Zinc	5 mg
Iodine	70 µg
Selenium	20 µg

2 capsules pr day

I also thought of using some Ginger Root capsules for nausea if that happens.

Does this look safe when taking Gleevec, or is there something in this i should avoid?

[GerryL]

Hi TeddyB,

A multi vitamin is fine with Gleevec. It might be worth taking a calcium tablet as well, but take that at least 3 hours away from the Gleevec. Ginger is fine - I take my Gleevec with a ginger cordial in the morning.

[TeddyB]

Thanks GerryL, appreciate the response

If i may ask, what is a ginger cordial? Some sort of ginger juice?

[GerryL]

Not sure if you can get it - Buderim Ginger Cordial, it is made here in Australia.

[TeddyB]

Cant find anything like it in Norway, ill stick to the capsules, but ill just take them when absolutely needed.

[GerryL]

I take an anti nausea tablet when absolutely needed.

[TeddyB]

I have that in case of emergency aswelll

Something called Postafen, wich has Meclazine in it.

I havent needed it yet though. (Knock on wood)