[JimNY]

Re: Avoiding grapefruit during multiple myeloma treatment?

by JimNY on Thu Apr 07, 2016 6:27 am

Hi Mrozdav,

Gala may know more, but I suspect the recommendation not to eat raw fruits or vegetables has to do with avoiding infection. Gala's sister's immune system may be suppressed, either from her multiple myeloma or from the treatments she's been receiving, and her doctors may want to avoid exposing her to unnecessary risks of infection. That may be why they've recommended against raw, uncooked, vegetables and fruit.

[mrozdav]

Re: Avoiding grapefruit during multiple myeloma treatment?

by mrozdav on Thu Apr 07, 2016 6:58 am

JimNY,

Thank you. That makes a lot of sense. I had not thought of that.

[JimNY]

Re: Avoiding grapefruit during multiple myeloma treatment?

by JimNY on Thu Apr 07, 2016 12:02 pm

Glad to help, Mrozdav. There definitely is a lot to learn and remember when it comes to multiple myeloma!

[mikeb]

Re: Avoiding grapefruit during multiple myeloma treatment?

by mikeb on Sun Apr 10, 2016 10:34 pm

As another data point - I am a huge grapefruit fan. So when I began treatment (RVD) a few years ago, I asked my myeloma specialist and the pharmacist working on his team the "grapefruit question."

Both were somewhat concerned about the vitamin C interaction with Velcade that JPC mentioned. So they told me to reduce from one whole grapefruit per day to one-half. I've stayed with that since then when good grapefruits are available.

Thanks, TerryH, for the enzyme interaction information. That's good to know as well.

My doctor and pharmacist also said I should avoid green tea while on Velcade.

And I was thinking along the same lines as JimNY about Gala's sister. Perhaps Gala's sister is recovering from a stem cell transplant (SCT). Avoiding raw fruits and veggies would be part of a post-SCT low microbial diet, a part that was tough for me since I love salads. Not to mention grapefruits.

Mike

[Sofie]

Re: Avoiding grapefruit during multiple myeloma treatment?

by Sofie on Fri Jan 26, 2018 3:56 pm

My mom is taking Revlimid and forgot she can't eat grapefruit, Let's say she is throwing up right now, so it's not really worth it.

[Sherry Phillips]

Re: Avoiding grapefruit during multiple myeloma treatment?

by Sherry Phillips on Mon Jan 29, 2018 9:02 pm

Hi,

I was told at my cancer center not to use St. John's wort, grapefruit, and green tea while I was on Velcade (bortezomib).

Hope this helps! Good luck!
Sherry

[Mike F]

Re: Avoiding grapefruit during multiple myeloma treatment?

by Mike F on Tue Jan 30, 2018 11:57 am

Strange. I've been on Revlimid for quite a long time - six months prior to the stem cell transplant and then continuously for the five years since. I have never been told to avoid any food, including grapefruit. I don't eat a lot of it, but I have not had any problems with grapefruit juice, anyway. If you look up the FDA prescribing information for Revlimid, there is nothing stating that any particular food should be avoided. The only substances I've been told to try to stay away from are the non-steroidal painkillers such as naproxen and ibuprofen.

Not doubting anyone else's experience, just posting up my own.