Imatinib and Headaches: What Users Say

• Anonymous
• December 28, 2010

Imatinib for Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia "I have been on 400 mg Gleevec for a little over a year. The side effects were hard the first couple of months, but now I feel great and the side effects are only rare digestive issues and headaches. My blood cell counts have been at or close to normal for the last year, and my last bone marrow biopsy revealed that my cells containing the Philadelphia chromosome had gone from 1 in 2 to 1 in 50. They have also found out I have fibrosis of my bone marrow and are unsure if it's caused by the medication or the CML."

• Ton...
• October 29, 2013

For Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia "I have been on Gleevec since March 2007 when I was diagnosed with Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia. I was sick for about 4 months on this drug with nausea, leg swelling, pain so bad that I felt crippled by the end of every day, and headaches. I had these symptoms even while taking Zofran with the drug. My doctors at MSKCC told me to hang in there, saying I was going to wake up one day soon and feel better than ever. And then, after 4 months, they were right. I remember that I woke up one morning, stretched my arms and legs and yawned, and saw the sun shining through my bedroom window, and I turned to my husband and said, 'I feel great'! I have pretty much felt great since then, and my life has thrived. I am not just a survivor, I am a thriver!"

• Cli...
• April 18, 2013

For Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia "I was diagnosed with PH CML during December 2009. I was put on Imatinib Mesylate 400 mg since 1.1.2010. With Imatinib, my counts are well within normal limits and so far, the PH Chromosome has remained negative to date. I have side effects like muscle cramps, headache, fluid retention, abdominal bloating, mild diarrhea, anxiety, sleeplessness, and mood swings. Incidence of headache has come down. Fluid retention is relieved with Lasilactone, and bone pain is relieved with Calcium and Vit D3. I take Wheat Grass juice and Beetroot Carrot Ginger juice and do certain yoga, especially for cancer."