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Living with Chronic Myeloid Leukemia
Articles OnCML
CML - Living With Chronic Myeloid Leukemia
Chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) and its treatment can affect your life in many ways. But there are things you can do to deal with the challenges head-on.
Handling Side Effects
Targeted therapies called tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) are the main treatment for CML. They can keep cancer in check for years. But they can also cause side effects like:
- Fatigue
- Nausea
- Muscle pain
- Diarrhea Rash
To fight fatigue, try to keep a healthy balance between resting and being active. It’s OK to ask friends and family for help with cooking, chores, pets, and your kids when you need to.
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There are many ways to combat nausea, but they don’t work for everyone. Your doctor may suggest anti-nausea medicine. (Be sure to find out if your insurance will pay for it). Acupuncture -- a type of alternative medicine using thin needles -- is also a good bet. It can help when you’re feeling nauseated or tired, or in pain because of cancer treatment. Other options you should discuss with your doctor include:
- Eating raw ginger (but no more than a tablespoon a day)
- Drinking ginger tea
- Deep breathing
- Medical marijuana
To get rid of diarrhea, avoid milk products and fizzy or sugar-free drinks. Stay away from spicy or greasy foods, too. They make things worse. Probiotic supplements -- they help balance the bacteria in your gut -- might help get things back to normal.
Keep a symptom diary. Write down all the symptoms you have and when they happen. You can put it in a journal or in an app on your phone. Make sure to include:
- What you’re feeling
- What day it is
- About what time you start to notice
This tracks side effects so you can manage them better. For example, if you realize you’re more tired in the morning or after lunch, plan to rest at those times.
Tell your doctor. Ask if you can take less medicine. This can help cut down on side effects.
Paying for Treatment
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CML treatment costs a lot, even when you have insurance. The exact price depends on your insurance, where you live, and whether you take a generic or brand-name drug.
Self-Care
When you have CML, you have a lot on your plate. You have to juggle family, work, and bills -- all while you go through treatment every day. These tips can make life easier:
Talk to your boss. It can be tough, but it’s important to tell your boss you have cancer. Find out if you can work from home, have flexible hours, or leave early when you don’t feel well. You might also be able to take a medical leave under the Family and Medical Leave Act.
Talk to your partner. Cancer treatment may change the way you feel about yourself and your body. And side effects like nausea, pain, and fatigue can make you lose interest in sex. Be open and honest with your partner when you’re not in the mood. There are many ways to be intimate. If you do have sex, it’s important to use birth control. Pregnancy during CML treatment harms both mom and baby.