Possible causes of CML

[Guest guest]

Talking about possible causes of CML no one knows for sure why some

people get it and others don't. Jim's onc told us of possible causes

also. We did go back and filed a claim with the VA because Jim worked

on an aircraft carrier in the paint locker where he worked with a lot

of paint and solvents. Just one month ago the VA agreed with us and

said they could not say that this didn't cause his CML and now they

are going to award him some compensation. We have been getting his

meds through the VA so we have been very fortunate - otherwise we

would not be able to afford them.

Jim had a major heart attack in Nov. of 93 - 6 years before he was dx

with CML. Since then his heart has slowly gotten worse. Don't know

if gleevec has anything to do with it or not. He is on a tremendous

amount of meds for his heart. They say there is nothing more they can

do for him except keep him on meds.

The one side affect Jim had from Interferon has burned his nerve

endings in his feet. He has pain 24//7. He is on morphine because of

that. I haven't read where anyone else has had this severe of a

problem. The onc and his pain management dr. both say it is from the

interferon.

Jim takes very little gleevec now. Only 100 mg a day for two weeks

and then off for 2 weeks. His last 2 FISH tests have come back

positive but very low. The onc won't do a BMB at this time. That

kind of bothers me. Should we insist on one????

Donna, wife of Jim dxd 6/99