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Acyclovir with Revlimid and dexamethasone?
I am taking Revlimid 15 mg and dexamethasone, and it is keeping my numbers in check. I also take 400 mg of acyclovir twice a day. Is it common to take acyclovir with Revlimid and dexamethasone?
Re: Acyclovir with Revlimid and dexamethasone?
Hi:
It's common for doctors to prescribe acyclovir with most all treatments. The acyclovir is to reduce your chances of getting shingles.
Kathleen
It's common for doctors to prescribe acyclovir with most all treatments. The acyclovir is to reduce your chances of getting shingles.
Kathleen
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kshornb - Name: kshornber
- Who do you know with myeloma?: self
- When were you/they diagnosed?: July 2015
- Age at diagnosis: 52
Re: Acyclovir with Revlimid and dexamethasone?
Yes, I have been taking acyclovir since 2104, and know a good many people who are taking it. It is really a benefit, as I can almost watch a small cut heal it self. I am now on Revlimid, Empliciti (elotuzumab), and dexamethasone, along with the acyclovir.
Good luck to you.
guy
Good luck to you.
guy
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guyrax
Re: Acyclovir with Revlimid and dexamethasone?
My understanding is that the acyclovir prescribed with my initial induction treatment (Revlimid, Velcade and dexamethasone) was specifically for the prevention of shingles, a side effect of the weekly Velcade shots I was given.
I reconfirmed with my oncologist that the acyclovir was not necessary after my Velcade shots were stopped, and the acyclovir has been removed from my drug regimen for over a year now.
I like to avoid any drugs that I do not have to have. However, I was not aware of any other benefits of acyclovir and will have to read up on that. I have been avoiding air travel and big parties and I wear a face mask whenever I go to the lab for the routine blood tests. I have had only one minor cold with a low grade fever, quite possibly contracted from my grandsons who were recovering from coughs and colds.
I am taking 15 mg Revlimid every alternate day for the maintenance for my IgG kappa myeloma and my kappa and kappa-lambda ratio are quite stable for the past 8 months. My oncologist is against any dex for the maintenance due to the long-term side effects of any steroids.
Guy - Could the dex help heal small cuts? At least it is supposed to prevent any inflammations.
I reconfirmed with my oncologist that the acyclovir was not necessary after my Velcade shots were stopped, and the acyclovir has been removed from my drug regimen for over a year now.
I like to avoid any drugs that I do not have to have. However, I was not aware of any other benefits of acyclovir and will have to read up on that. I have been avoiding air travel and big parties and I wear a face mask whenever I go to the lab for the routine blood tests. I have had only one minor cold with a low grade fever, quite possibly contracted from my grandsons who were recovering from coughs and colds.
I am taking 15 mg Revlimid every alternate day for the maintenance for my IgG kappa myeloma and my kappa and kappa-lambda ratio are quite stable for the past 8 months. My oncologist is against any dex for the maintenance due to the long-term side effects of any steroids.
Guy - Could the dex help heal small cuts? At least it is supposed to prevent any inflammations.
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K_Shash - Name: K_Shash
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Self
- When were you/they diagnosed?: November 2014
- Age at diagnosis: 67
Re: Acyclovir with Revlimid and dexamethasone?
K_Shash,
While folks may not enjoy the process, inflammation in response to a wound promotes healing and is generally a good thing as it indicates that your body is mounting an attack on whatever is invading it. Long term use of corticosteroids such as dex interferes with this process and wounds will therefore take longer to heal when one is chronically taking dex.
While folks may not enjoy the process, inflammation in response to a wound promotes healing and is generally a good thing as it indicates that your body is mounting an attack on whatever is invading it. Long term use of corticosteroids such as dex interferes with this process and wounds will therefore take longer to heal when one is chronically taking dex.
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Multibilly - Name: Multibilly
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Me
- When were you/they diagnosed?: Smoldering, Nov, 2012
Re: Acyclovir with Revlimid and dexamethasone?
Thanks, Multibilly.
I wonder though, if in a specific case of a small wound, a steroid may actually prevent infections in a small cut and let it heal quickly, as guy ('guyrax') has experienced, or is it due to the antiviral benefit of acyclovir.
I am curious if a steroid in the system can somehow 'coat' the open wound (exposed skin tissue), making it less susceptible to minor infections and let the body work its magic behind this protective coating.
And my oncologist has advised me on similar lines not to take any Tylenol to mask any fever or headaches, essentially let the body respond to any affliction and do its own healing. My oncologist has me off the dex right after my induction Revlimid, Velcade, and dex (RVD) treatment gave me a stable and complete response.
Any specific thoughts on acyclovir for the long-term use?
I wonder though, if in a specific case of a small wound, a steroid may actually prevent infections in a small cut and let it heal quickly, as guy ('guyrax') has experienced, or is it due to the antiviral benefit of acyclovir.
I am curious if a steroid in the system can somehow 'coat' the open wound (exposed skin tissue), making it less susceptible to minor infections and let the body work its magic behind this protective coating.
And my oncologist has advised me on similar lines not to take any Tylenol to mask any fever or headaches, essentially let the body respond to any affliction and do its own healing. My oncologist has me off the dex right after my induction Revlimid, Velcade, and dex (RVD) treatment gave me a stable and complete response.
Any specific thoughts on acyclovir for the long-term use?
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K_Shash - Name: K_Shash
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Self
- When were you/they diagnosed?: November 2014
- Age at diagnosis: 67
Re: Acyclovir with Revlimid and dexamethasone?
No clue about the long term use of acyclovir.
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Multibilly - Name: Multibilly
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Me
- When were you/they diagnosed?: Smoldering, Nov, 2012
Re: Acyclovir with Revlimid and dexamethasone?
My doctor's philosophy on acyclovir is a little different from your doctor's, K_Shash.
My doctor still has me on acyclovir (twice a day, even), well over 3 years after I finished induction, stem cell transplant, and consolidation treatments. I am still on Revlimid maintenance. My ANC and WBC counts are in the low normal range.
I've discussed this with my doctor, and he said he prefers to keep me on acyclovir because he has had "too many" patients develop shingles after stopping acyclovir, even after being in maintenance treatment for a period of time (like me).
I guess this is another area of treatment where there are differing opinions between doctors.
Mike
My doctor still has me on acyclovir (twice a day, even), well over 3 years after I finished induction, stem cell transplant, and consolidation treatments. I am still on Revlimid maintenance. My ANC and WBC counts are in the low normal range.
I've discussed this with my doctor, and he said he prefers to keep me on acyclovir because he has had "too many" patients develop shingles after stopping acyclovir, even after being in maintenance treatment for a period of time (like me).
I guess this is another area of treatment where there are differing opinions between doctors.
Mike
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mikeb - Name: mikeb
- Who do you know with myeloma?: self
- When were you/they diagnosed?: 2009 (MGUS at that time)
- Age at diagnosis: 55
Re: Acyclovir with Revlimid and dexamethasone?
I have been taking acyclovir along with Revlimid 10 mg (21 out of 28 days) for almost four years. I do not take dex or anything else with it.
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Bluemountain
Re: Acyclovir with Revlimid and dexamethasone?
Thanks mikeb and Bluemountain.
I had shingles in 2000 and the memories of that severe pain are still vivid. Acyclovir was quite new at the time and I had taken it then for a while.
I plan to re-visit this concern with the chemo pharmacy and also with my oncologist and quite likely I will start taking the daily acyclovir. I try not to take any unnecessary medications, but it is not worth the risk of getting shingles, particularly if even a few patients have developed shingles with Revlimid maintenance.
Thanks mikeb for sharing your oncologist's opinion.
I had shingles in 2000 and the memories of that severe pain are still vivid. Acyclovir was quite new at the time and I had taken it then for a while.
I plan to re-visit this concern with the chemo pharmacy and also with my oncologist and quite likely I will start taking the daily acyclovir. I try not to take any unnecessary medications, but it is not worth the risk of getting shingles, particularly if even a few patients have developed shingles with Revlimid maintenance.
Thanks mikeb for sharing your oncologist's opinion.
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K_Shash - Name: K_Shash
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Self
- When were you/they diagnosed?: November 2014
- Age at diagnosis: 67
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