What problems with fluid retent... Video Transcri...

Participants

Carolyn Blasdel RN, Gwen L. Nichols MD

Summary

Fluid retention is probably the most common side effect that people on Gleevec experience. Learn how to recognize it and how to help with some medical and common-sense treatments.

Webcast Transcript

Fluid retention is probably the most common side effect that people on Gleevec experience. It most commonly happens around the eyes. It's called periorbital edema and it occurs as bags under the eyes and also swelling in the upper eyelids. It can also cause swelling in the fingers, swelling in the ankles and a general edema that's fluid retention all over the body, which you'll see in weight gain on the scale.

If you experience ankle edema, you should check with your doctor about getting diuretics. It's also very important to try to follow a low-sodium or a low-salt diet if you have problems with fluid retention.

And almost everybody is at risk for the swelling around the eyes and, over time, some people, it does get a little bit better after a couple of years. Other people it doesn't really change very much.

Exercise can help because it's almost always worse in the morning and then, after you're up, gravity kind of drains the fluid away from your face. So particularly, around the eyes, it goes away.

In some cases, there can be a more severe kind of fluid retention. This could happen with a big amount of weight gain. Fluid can also collect around the heart, which is called a pericardial effusion, or in the lungs, which is called a pulmonary effusion. And those are more serious and will need to be possibly treated by your doctor.