On 1/11/2008
Bayshore wrote:
I need all of your help. Is anyone on the Rev/Vel/Dex combination cocktail? My sister Denys had alot of problems with the Velcade and her stupid Dr. in Tampa is going to try Vel/Dox.? She has been off of chemo for about 6 weeks now and yesterday there was another mix up at this Community hospital where she currently is and the chemo is delayed AGAIN until Monday, this is 6 WEEKS WITH NO CHEMO AT ALL!!!.. I really need all of your help on this Please Help. My sister needs to be at a Cancer Center. She is currently in two much pain to travel back to Little Rock. Time is ticking for her and being off chemo for this lenght of time is chipping away at her life more and more. She is on so many pain meds she isn't thinking clearly.
Can anyone shed some light on this or let me know what you personal experience has been on this new Rev/Vel/Dex combination? My sister Denys life hangs in the balance.
Please,
Susan
Good Morning Susan;
My cocktail is as follows:
*Revlimid 25 mg X 14 days of 21 (Orally)
*Dexamethasone 40 mg weekly (Orally on Wednesday)
*Velcade 1.0 mg/m2 on days 1/4/8/11 of 21 (I.V.)
**On day 11, I also receive an infusion of Zometa (bisphosphonate), to help my bones absorb calcium. My MM has mottled my bones so that they appear grey in color on X-rays. The Drs. tell me that if the meds can reverse the MM my bones will start to heal themselves. Hence, I also take a calcium supplement to aid in the amount of calcium "floating" around my body.
Rev was originally 21 days of 28, however the Drs. modified this to correspond with the Vel so that my body rests during the same week. I have been on this since July 3, 2007. I am presently in my tenth cycle of Rev and my ninth of Vel.
Background: 49 y.o.; very good physical condition; no family hx. of cancer; never used tobacco products; At Dx. M-spike was 4.9 g/dL; total IgG was 6860 mg/dL; Lambda free light chain was 44.9 mg/L; Kappa 19.4; bone marrow biopsy showed 70% cellularity, of which 80% were plasma cells; deletion of chromosome 13.
Present day: M-spike 1.7; Kappa 8.73; Lambda 14.2; IgG 2721; haven't had a recent BM biopsy.
Treatment Plan: I am scheduled for a Auto SCT early February. I will also have High Dose Melphalan Chemo and an experimental (the Drs. call it "trial") autologous T-cell reinfusion after melphalan Tx. with anti-cancer peptide vaccines.
I have NOT experienced any adverse side effects of the drugs I am taking. I do get tired at times, usually on the days of the Velcade. Especially when coming off of the rest week. 20 minute naps and I'm back to normal.
I made a New Year's Resolution to eat fish 3 times/week. My M-spike was 1.2 and IGG's 2372 on 12/17/07. They have both increased since then! NOT GOOD. I am investigating if the increase is due to diet or have I bottomed out on the meds, as this will happen eventually.
I trust this will help in you and your sisters' decision on the new combination. My research has shown that many Drs. are now using this as a first line of attack and not waiting for relapse to start them. Should you need any further data do not hesitate to contact me!
I do wish you and your sister well in the upcoming weeks. Stay strong and keep informed.
Take care;
Kevin