Hi Cath,
Really glad to hear you are able to get on Velcade. The regiment for velcade they are using here in the USA, I'm in Florida is 8 IV treatments over a two week period. Then no treatment for two weeks and then the cycle starts over. Usually it is givin for 8 months. But in my case I only received the 8 treatments and my IGg levels dropped so fast they stopped the treatments after the first two weeks. That was in April 2004 and my IGg counts have been within normal limits ever since. I just had my 2 month check-up with my oncologist on Friday and he is amazed at my continued recovery. Dr. Sorathia is my oncologist at the Regional Oncology Center in Daytona Beach Florida. He told me that the Velcade is working better than the transplants. The only side effect I had from Velcade was a small amount of neuropathy and it was from my MS. However it went away after the two weeks. The Velcade only took about 30 mins to infuse IV and I went shopping and out to lunch after. I had more trouble and side effect with the Aridia I was taking than with the Velcade. I believe in my heart that you will be fine after you take the velcade. I am here if you need to talk. As for your paraprotein levels I am unsure about those,we don't use those for checking my levels. We use IgG totals, Kappa/Lambda Ratio, Kappa Light Chain Anal, and Lambda Light Chain. Do you ever get tested for these counts? I wonder if you testing is the same just using different scales? You can find out what the normal range is by calling your Doctors nurses. Also are you getting copies of your lab results each time? If not just ask the nurse for copies and get them at the time of your visit. Keep them in a folder. It a good way to keep track for yourself. I hope your treatment starts soon. It is nothing like Chemo it is more like getting saline fluid. You will be amazed at the difference between it and Chemo. Keep Well and Keep In Touch.
Sincerely, Darlene