I'm trying to find more information about emotional side effect after patients start taking Gleevec such as; depression, paranoia, anxiety, memory lost, thinking about suicide, worrying or fear, Extreme mood changes, avoiding friends and social activities, delusions or hallucinations, thinking about suicide, etc.… Thank you for participating in this thread! I have a son that is been taking Gleevec for over 14 years.
Are you doing OK? Please talk to your doctor asap if you are having thoughts of suicide. If you live in the US, you can call 1-800-273-8255 to get help. I’m sure other countries have suicide hotlines too. Don’t try to get through it alone! — if you are asking for some kind of research reason, rather than for personal reasons, I think these feelings probably go along with a cancer diagnosis but I don’t know if they are specifically associated with Gleevec. Please take care of yourself. We CMLers have a lot to live for!
I was taking Gleevec and then generic imatinib for over five years. The only thing I've noticed is my memory isn't quite as good as it used to be. Maybe it's because I'm over the hill now? Maybe my brain is full? 
What dose is your son taking? Maybe he could get a reduced dose if his BCR-ABL numbers have been low for a while.
Ponce - I developed severe depression on Gleevec. It came on within the first couple of months of taking 400 mg daily. For awhile I had difficulty determining what was going on with the different possible causes - was I depressed because I was scared about this new diagnosis? or was I so physically sick I became despairing of ever feeling better? or was this bona fide clinical depression? I finally reached a very low point at which, although I didn't have specific suicidal ideation, I did feel I couldn't go on living. All of this resolved on switching to dasatinib, especially the physical aspects. I also started with a psychotherapist and I switched to a CML expert. After 10 years of experience and reflection, I now believe I was in that 1-2% of patients for whom imatinib can cause depression. I wonder if we'll ever know.
When I take my Imatinib, how sweet it is! The diagnosis was the hard part.
Yes I have had and continue to have depression anxiety suicidal thinking and a host of other nasties since being on Gleevec,which I have taken for 18months now.My life has been quite challenging too in this time,from divorce and bankruptcy as well as becomin sober,so it has been remarkably difficult.Am taking antidepressants which help a little...Currentlu wanting stop Gleevec but waiting til I see new doc,so yes Gleevec can affect you in many and varied ways!
Tanya, I feel like, those of us with CML, are all in this together even though we have not formally met each other. It helps me to move the ball a little further down the field each day knowing that others experiencing CML every day are doing the same. Also, a very healthy diet, exercise, hobby, friendship, an those experiencing CML like us keeps me going! Philip
Thank you Philip,yes the things you suggested are so necessary and I am lacking in the area of a hobby and a nice friendship...Always thought I would be with another man really quickly however because of my now fading looks and meds etc.that has not occurred or maybe Gods got something else in store...trusting in the process...Gods Blessings to all...
