Hi all, i posted a couple of weeks ago about Velcade and diarreah. (For those reading this first time, my dad has Multiple Myeloma, IGA - Stage III. Lytic lesions and severe bone damage in hip/pelvic area. He gets Velcade treatments since December and his cancer has responded greatly to the treatments). Firstly, thanks to all who were kind enough to reply... Poppy/Cath, Anna and everyone else.
In continuing with the diarreah i mentioned in that original topic, needless to say that diareah is still there... at this point i'd call it 'chronic' and i think it is getting out of control. As i mentioned earlier, my dad gets weekly Velcade treatments and although i know diarreah can be a side effect, he definitely has a LOT more diarreah now, than he did 3 and 4 months ago. I'm wondering, could that just be that all the 'stuff' is really kicking in, taking more of a toll on his body now? That is one of the questions i'm raising, for anyone who could possibly shed some light. Another question, would this frequent diarreah cause him to lose weight? He is like a bag of bones... i would say lost about 10 to 20 pounds since before diagnosis.
What i'm really scared of is that there could be some other, deeper issue that hasn't been caught yet? What comes to mind, things like - Colitis, Crohns Disease, Irritable Bowel Sydrome, Diverticultis, etc. Also, i have heard a lot of talk lately about C-Diff infection. For the more knowledgeable, would it be possible for him to have that and not be discovered, even though they take blood every week? Also, if he did have the C-Diff infection, would he be 'sick' or able to functon? Just to paint a clearer picture, he does NOT have any stomach pain or discomfort, no 'gas' pains, no fevers and no blood in the stool. Just watery, crazy diarreah, that is really starting to take a toll on him and make him miserable. Sometimes, he will have it 3 to 4 times a day (like last night) and then other days, none at all.
At first, the doctors didnt think much of it (but then again, my dad is so not good at explaining such things in detail)... they suggested Immodium, etc and emphasized the importance of replenishing with water/fluids/gatorade. But at that time, they werent aware of how much he was getting it and so this past week, i gave the doctor the whole 411. She then dashed out to the floor, giving him 20 questions, etc, trying to assess/pinpoint a source. They had also wondered about a lactose intolorence issue - but it it possible to acquire that now, when you have not experienced that your whole life? They then added something to his treatment this week, it was a shot, actually (2 shots) - i think it was called Sandostatin, to help stop the diarreah. This was on Thursday. For all of Friday, he was okay but then in the middle of the night he was up four different times with it. :-( Had a terrible night... Then for all day today & tonight, nothing - he's been okay.
Just for additional fyi... right before he was diagnosed, he had an abdominal/pelvic CT scan. On it (aside from the lesions and bone destruction) - it did say "Mild diverticulosus, without evidence of diverticulitis" And also, "the colon seems normal in caliber". Since he was on Dexamathasone (Decadron Steriods) on & off the past few months, and also Prilosec for the past 5 months, i'm just wondering if that could have done something to his stomach or intestines. (Note to Cath: since we had that discussion, i had him stop taking the Dex immediately).
If anyone has experienced chronic diarreah with MM, especially while getting Velcade or on Dex - i would welcome your stories. Or if anyone out there has any thoughts or ideas [MM survivor, Cath, Anna, Kevin, etc] - please share, as i'm at my witts end. Thank you everyone for listening [long post, i know] and keep fighting the fight.
- a P.S. for Anna and Poppy/Cath... [see below]
Anna - wow, that's something that your dad has had MM for ten years. Seems we have really come a long way with this disease. God bless him. May i ask what Stage he was in when diagnosed? I know you said that the past few years your dad has had the diarreah due to his treatments and they haven't really been able to help him? Just wanted to ask you, how did they know it was from the treatments, and not a stomach, intestine or colon issue, etc? Did they investigate any of that? I truly sympathize with his (and your) dilemma. Also, if i may ask... did he lose weight from the diarreah? And about how often does he experience it?
Cath - you are a genius and an inspiration to all. I processed and researched further all the info about the Dex/weakend bowel tissue and the perforated bowel, etc. and compiled it for the next time i saw his doctor. Regardless, weeks ago, i had my dad to stop taking the Dex - just in case there was the slightest chance that could possibly happen with him, i didnt want to aggravate it or give it the slightest chance to develop any further. Unfortunately though, he hasn't taken the steriods in about 3 to 4 weeks, but the diarreah is still there, just as active as it was. (I'd love to discuss further {dont want to take up any more room on this post!} - if you wouldn't mind, feel free to email me or i'd be happy to email you. i am:
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