Importance of Taking Treatment as Prescribed
It is important for you to take your medication exactly as instructed, every day-at every phase of your treatment.
Unfortunately, there is no cure for CML at this time
To prevent disease reactivation it is necessary that the abnormal cells be suppressed to minimal levels at all times throughout your treatment
Even after you have achieved a complete response or disease remission during treatment, some abnormal cells may still remain in your body even if they are too few to be measured
Stopping treatment allows these abnormal cells to grow and return again
Staying the course with daily treatment can be difficult, even when you know that it is important. Fortunately, there are things that you can do to help yourself stay on track:
1
Understand the need to keep CML under control every day. You may find that it is easy to stay motivated at first, especially when you are reaching important treatment goals. Later on, however, you may start to feel that you are "cured" and no longer need treatment. Remember that you probably still have some abnormal cells, even when they are down to levels that cannot be measured. If you are not taking your medication as prescribed, the abnormal cells can start growing again.
2
Try not to let side effects discourage you. If you experience side effects, talk to your healthcare team about how best to manage them.
3
Develop a routine that works for you. You are likely to stay on treatment for a long time, so schedule taking your medicine along with other things you do as part of your daily routine. Note: Sometimes your healthcare provider will recommend a particular dosing schedule as a way to manage side effects. Be sure to discuss your dosing routine with your doctor or nurse.
4
Reach out for support from family, friends, and the community. Let your family and friends know how important it is for you to take your medicine every day and ask for their support. Take advantage of support programs and other resources that are available for you.
5
Keep the lines of communication with your healthcare team open. If you are having a problem taking your medication as directed, call them. Chances are, your healthcare team can offer a solution that will make it easier for you to stay motivated and stick to your daily medication routine.
General Information About CML
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