User Reviews for Gleevec oral

I was lucky in that my CML was caught fairly early. I started on Gleevec about 10 months ago. The worst side affect is the pain in my stomach and intestines - with a little diarrhea thrown in for luck! Ha! I also have a lot of trouble with blood vessels bursting in my eyes! Makes me look like a monster sometimes. I've had a little trouble with cramps, but haven't gained any weight. I REALLY wish they could do something about the gassy stomach!!! Blood counts are more or less normal. Sometimes, I get some dizzy spells, but the doctors don't think it's related to the drug. I'm not so sure! I'm an American who lives in England, so don't have to pay what sounds like outrageous money! Come on, Obama! Get that national health service going so I can come home!!Read More Read Less

I have been taken (STI571) Gleevec since June 13, 2001. I am in a clinical trial, I began with 800 mg/l and reduced to 600 mg/l to reduce the pain I experienced. I have all the side effects that are common with Gleevec. I have found that a GOOD fiber supplyment will help with the dirrahea. The dirrahea has cause me to have other surgeries. I still do not have the energy that I once had, I am on pain and antidepressant medications. I am able to continue working, I have learned to take the good days as well as the bad and thank god I am still able to be productive. Read More Read Less

I have been on this drug since 2002 and have had little or no side effects. Occasional bouts of dirarea and possibly some weight gain although I was overweight when I began taking the drug. I am delighted and grateful for Gleevec

I've been on gleevec since Jan 2006. works well, but a lot of side effects. weight gain. 30 lbs. diarrhea, hair loss, sensitive to sun, tiredness, no energy. bone pain, muscle cramps, and more. but is keeping my blood counts normal.

Has anyone experienced high anxiety from taking the drug Gleevec. I have been diagnosed with CML and have taken Gleevec for 6 months now and anxiety has gotten a LOT worse. Anyone else have this problem and know how to treat it? Thanks in advance

Miracle drug! Had tumor surgically removed 9 yrs ago. Last year, 5 tumors redeveloped in liver plus more cancer in hip bones. PET scan after 1 month of treatment on this drug showed no cancer-only some scar tissue in liver where tumors had been. 6 months later I'm still taking 400 mg daily with few side effects... mild diarrhea, and some hives.

My son who is now 15 has been on this med for over a year. When he first started they had him on 500mg. He had a lot of leg cramps. They reduced it to 400mg and the leg cramps were also reduced. Some days he has headaches and feels tired. But thank God he is in remission and over all doing well.

This drug is a true miracle drug as far as I'm concerned. I have been on it for one year now and I did not experience any side effects other then nasuated if I did not eat when taking the drug. After taking it for 9 months there was no changes but recently my cancer doctor increased the dosage from 400MG to 600MG as remission was only 82% when last checked but two weeks ago it was .000l only in my blood. I will have a bone marrow next month to get a more accurate reading. I too have suffered with diarreha on a occasion but with over the counter medicines this can be controlled. Over all I think this drug is a true miracle and well worth any side effects.Read More Read Less

I've been on this drug for alomst 2yrs. I call it the Mircle Drug. I had some side effects like weight gain (40 pounds),leg cramping and dirrahea. Other than that Life has been GOOD.

Have been on Gleevec for CML for 6 years, CML in remission for 5 years. Fatigue is the worst side effect. Muscle cramps a problem but SloMag (slow release magnesium supplement) has helped a lot. The other (many!) side effects are a nuisance but better than the alternative.

I have been in remission over 6 years with this drug. The only side effect I have had is muscle cramps. It is very expensive but it works. I was on interferon for 2 1/2 years before this and the side effects were much worse

I was on interferon injections for 10 years and began on Gleevec when it was still STL157 (in clinical trial). I went into remission fairly quickly and remain so. The worst side effect for me was diarhea, but the side effects of Gleevec are nothing compared to interferon and it has never lowered my red or white counts below the normal range. I was always anemic on the interferon and got infections easily---a serious viral infection caused me brain damage; that's when I got off the interferon and went to the Gleevec trial. I am so grateful for this drug! My life is pretty normal. Read More Read Less

gleeve has worked well in keeping my white count in control, unfortunately i've gained over 30punds since my diagnosis of november 2007. i'm curious, has anyone had the same problem.

Diagnosed June 2007. Total remission since August 2007. Lots of cramping, but back to work full time.

I am writing this review for my mom. She has adenoid cystic carcinoma of the lungs. Since she has started taking gleevec the tumors have stopped growing and multiplying. We are so thankful for this drug. It is literally a lifesaver! And also thanks to her oncologist Dr. Neeraj Bharany.

This medication has helped me, but i had to go through a lot of side-effects. when i first starting taking it, i couldn't walk because my legs were hurting soo much. now i have been on this medication for 11 months and i feel much better than when i first started taking it.

I have been on Gleevec for almost 2 years now, and am in complete remission. It took a bit longer for me to achieve this, but once I did I have stayed there. Few side effects--nausea if I take it without food, diarrhea, some aching bones, but generally I work full time, take care of my family and raise my boys. Life is Sweet with this drug--I can't thank Dr Druker enough for inventing it.

Since I have been taking this medication my last two bone marrow tests have come back negative. The tests are not showing any trace of the CML.

I had a large GIST near my colon, a very rare tumor; I was treated with 800 mg Gleevec for 5 months, and it worked to weaken the tumor cells and reduce their growth. It was removed intact in December 2007. I had minor side effects, diarreah, fatigue, gastro-intestinal discomfort. After surgery, I am taking 400 mg. pills for a year to prevent recurrence of tumor. Gleevec has worked well for me up to now. I recommend it for gastro intestinal stromal tumors.