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Lifestyle and home remedies
By Mayo Clinic staffFor many people, chronic myelogenous leukemia is a chronic disease they will live with for years. Many will continue treatment with imatinib indefinitely. Some days, you may feel sick even if you don't look sick. And some days, you may just be sick of having cancer. Self-care measures to help you adjust and cope with a chronic illness include:
- Go to all of your medical appointments. People with chronic myelogenous leukemia often face frequent medical appointments, blood work and bone marrow exams. Appointments can bring anxiety because you may fear your cancer is no longer in remission or your condition has worsened. Expect some anxiety around the time of your appointments, but don't let that stop you from going to each one. Plan stress-relieving activities to take your mind off your anxieties. Try yoga, exercise and time with friends and family.
- Talk to your doctor about your side effects. Powerful cancer medications can cause many side effects, but those side effects often can be managed with other medications or treatments. You don't necessarily have to tough them out.
- Don't stop treatment on your own. If you develop unpleasant side effects, such as skin rashes or fatigue, don't simply quit your medication without consulting your health care professionals. Likewise, don't stop taking your medications if you feel better and think your disease may be gone. If you stop taking medication, your disease can quickly and unexpectedly return, even if you've been in remission.
- Ask for help if you're having trouble coping. The emotional toll of a chronic condition can feel overwhelming. Tell your doctor about your feelings. You may get a referral to a counselor or other specialist with whom you can talk.
References
- Chronic myelogenous leukemia. Fort Washington, Pa.: National Comprehensive Cancer Network. http://www.nccn.org/professionals/physician_gls/PDF/cml.pdf. Accessed Sept. 15, 2010.
- Chronic myelogenous leukemia treatment (PDQ). National Cancer Institute. http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/pdq/treatment/CML/patient/allpages. Accessed Sept. 15, 2010.
- Liesveld JL, et al. Chronic myelogenous leukemia and related disorders. In: Lichtman MA, et al. Williams Hematology. 8th ed. New York, N.Y.: McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.; 2010. http://www.accessmedicine.com/resourceTOC.aspx?resourceID=69. Accessed Sept. 15, 2010.
- Kantarjian H, et al. Chronic myeloid leukemia. In: Abeloff MD, et al. Abeloff's Clinical Oncology. 4th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Churchill Livingstone Elsevier; 2008:2279.
- Integrative medicine and complementary and alternative therapies as part of blood cancer care. The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. http://www.leukemia-lymphoma.org/attachments/National/br_1150734030.pdf. Accessed Sept. 15, 2010.
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