I have been a avid reader of the Beacon since my husband has been diagnosed with multiple myeloma 4.5 years ago. I would like to know a couple of things if it is possible.
My husband has gone through induction treatment at the beginning of his diagnosis, he had VAD treatment, then after achieving a good response, he underwent ASCT. Unfortunately his response only lasted 6 months, since then he has been on thalidomide, lenalidomide, and recently started on Velcade, all with dexamethasone.
He is also suffering from COPD, which has gotten worse since his diagnosis, from many pneumonia’s, infections etc. He now has to have supplementary oxygen.
My question is with the Velcade he is now on, it seems that on the third day of his cycle, he experiences quite a severe exacerbation of his COPD. He has just spent quite a few days in hospital, and the doctors have stopped the Velcade treatment till he recovers.
I am just wondering if anyone else has experienced this side effect from Velcade, or is just that his lungs have deteriorated so much that he cannot handle treatments as well as he has?
Forums
4 posts
• Page 1 of 1
Re: Can Velcade make COPD worse?
Hi Deb,
I checked the safety information on the Velcade site. One of the adverse affects is shortness of breath. I've copied the notice below.
Lung problems. There have been reports of lung disorders in patients receiving Velcade. Some of these events have been fatal. Tell your doctor if you experience any cough, shortness of breath, wheezing, or difficulty breathing.
My mother has COPD and we just went through the same thing with a blood thinner she had been given. She now checks all her medicines to see if breathing problems are a known side affect.
Good luck.
Lyn
I checked the safety information on the Velcade site. One of the adverse affects is shortness of breath. I've copied the notice below.
Lung problems. There have been reports of lung disorders in patients receiving Velcade. Some of these events have been fatal. Tell your doctor if you experience any cough, shortness of breath, wheezing, or difficulty breathing.
My mother has COPD and we just went through the same thing with a blood thinner she had been given. She now checks all her medicines to see if breathing problems are a known side affect.
Good luck.
Lyn
-
Christa's Mom - Name: Christa's Mom
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Husband
- When were you/they diagnosed?: September, 2010
- Age at diagnosis: 53
Re: Can Velcade make COPD worse?
I can only state that in my case I don't recall any problems. I was however far less active than I normally would have been because of other side affects of the multiple myeloma.
-
Wayne K - Name: Wayne
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Myself, my sister who passed in '95
- When were you/they diagnosed?: 03/09
- Age at diagnosis: 70
Re: Can Velcade make COPD worse?
All I can tell everyone taking Velcade would be to make sure your doctor offers periodic chest x-rays. We had no idea that Velcade could destroyed your lungs. My husband is proof that this happens. He began experiencing shortness of breath, and he now only has 20 percent lung capacity!
-
PamP
4 posts
• Page 1 of 1
Return to Treatments & Side Effects