Hi Has anyone had a heart problem occur whilst on imatinib? My husband who is in his 70's has diabetes and hypertension has slowly become breathless and exhausted over the last 16 mths on imatinib he hasn't reached molecular remission. He had a heart trace for a week and it appears he has a heart problem which wasn't there before imatinib he was going to be changed to dasatsnib but has been advised to stop imatinib immediately and now waiting for cardiology appointment and a earlier appointment with the heamatology team. We just feel in limbo waiting for appointments as no one has actually explained anything.
Hi Millpool88ac11 and welcome to this corner of the Community although I am sorry to see you joining the community and to hear about your husband………. I am Mike and I help out around our various Blood Cancer groups.
I don’t have Chronic Myeloid Leukaemia (CML) but for some context I was diagnosed way back in 1999 at 43 with a rare (8 in a million) incurable but treatable type of T-Cell Non Hodgkin’s Lymphoma……. eventually reaching Stage 4a in late 2013 when a second, also rare (4 in a million) type of aggressive type of T-Cell Non Hodgkin’s Lymphoma was then presenting so although my Blood Cancer ‘type’ is different I most definitely appreciate the challenges of this journey rather well.
Unfortunately drugs like imatinib and indeed a few of the drugs I had over my main 2 years treatment resulted in me develop heart problems.
One of the drugs between late 2013 to late April 2014 unknowingly put down the foundations…… then my treatment in Oct 2015 kicked of A-Fib……. Eventually resulting in a heart attack in April 2022…..
Tiredness is an unwanted side effects of some of these drugs but also connected to having heart issues.
CML is on the rare side, but let’s look for any group members to pick up on your post and get back to you.
For good information do check out Leukaemia Care UK who produce very good information and run various support platforms including their Buddy Scheme, they also have a Support Line on 08088 010 444
Let’s look for an appointment soon and some clear answers to be given.
Always around to help more or just to chat.
