Thank you very much for posting your mother's experiences. My mother has just been diagnosed at 87 and is starting her 4 day cycle this morning of 12mg Alkeran and 60mg Prednisone. We still do not have hercomplete blood work results from the doctor. I am hoping we have positive results but your post gave me some real life results and what to expect.
Hope your mother's treatment has good results.
Forums
Re: Experience with Melphalan (alkeran) and prednisone?
Hi Texas. I'm glad my post may have been helpful to you and your mother. How did your mother's first 4-day cycle of M/P go? Do you have the lab results from blood work yet?
My mother has now finished 3 cycles. She sees her oncologist today for blood work for the multiple myeloma markers (IgG, serum free light chains, M protein, beta-microglobulin, etc.). We are very hopeful that she is in remission or close to it, as last week when they did just the serum chemistry panel (sodium, potassium, creatinine, BUN, total protein, etc.), her total protein had come down to just a few decimal points away from normal. Historically with my mother's lab tests, we have found that when the total protein drops, the multiple myeloma markers are dropping too.
My Mom is still experiencing some side effects mostly of diarrhea. The rash on her legs seems to come and go - it's worse when she is on the treatment and right after it. But, it responds well (the itching at least) to a topical Benadryl cream and a Benadryl if needed.
I hope your mother responds quickly to this treatment with minimal side effects. Keep us posted.
My mother has now finished 3 cycles. She sees her oncologist today for blood work for the multiple myeloma markers (IgG, serum free light chains, M protein, beta-microglobulin, etc.). We are very hopeful that she is in remission or close to it, as last week when they did just the serum chemistry panel (sodium, potassium, creatinine, BUN, total protein, etc.), her total protein had come down to just a few decimal points away from normal. Historically with my mother's lab tests, we have found that when the total protein drops, the multiple myeloma markers are dropping too.
My Mom is still experiencing some side effects mostly of diarrhea. The rash on her legs seems to come and go - it's worse when she is on the treatment and right after it. But, it responds well (the itching at least) to a topical Benadryl cream and a Benadryl if needed.
I hope your mother responds quickly to this treatment with minimal side effects. Keep us posted.
-
Twi - Name: Twi
- Who do you know with myeloma?: My wonderful Mom, Janet
- When were you/they diagnosed?: May 2010
- Age at diagnosis: 70
Re: Experience with Melphalan (alkeran) and prednisone?
So happy to have found all these posts on the MP regimen ! My husband is 65 and was diagnosed with multiple myeloma 05/2011. He has been through the induction therapies but was unable to continue with Velcade due to PN issues. His next line of therapy was Rev/dex until he developed a serious rash on his torso, arms, legs. At that time the oncologist took him off the dex and reduced his Rev dosage to 10 mg. He was plateaued w/ a 1.2 mspike but never achieved complete remission. His mspike is now heading north (1.6 now). He also has the p17del chromosomal issue which, apparently, puts him at "higher" risk.
His oncologist is considering the carfilzomib/rev/dex regimen now. However, today my husband went to the VA hospital and the doctor there suggested the MP regimen to him. He had many good things to say about it - he said it worked great prior to all these novel drugs being introduced; it was inexpensive b/c it's generic; the side effects were manageable; and it was all oral ! He made sure we were aware of the fact that if my husband went this route, he wouldn't be eligible for SCT in the future.
He also added that, if my husband could tolerate this (after dex, I think he can tolerate anything!), it would give patients and physicians more time to evaluate these new drugs "out in the field." As we all know, carfilzomib was JUST approved in February 2013. We are lucky to have all these new therapies available in the future, if needed ! But, I like the idea of using something with a proven track record for years and years before bringing out "the big guns." I am encouraged to read of the positive results many people have had with C/Rev/dex. Not sure yet what direction to take.
His oncologist is considering the carfilzomib/rev/dex regimen now. However, today my husband went to the VA hospital and the doctor there suggested the MP regimen to him. He had many good things to say about it - he said it worked great prior to all these novel drugs being introduced; it was inexpensive b/c it's generic; the side effects were manageable; and it was all oral ! He made sure we were aware of the fact that if my husband went this route, he wouldn't be eligible for SCT in the future.
He also added that, if my husband could tolerate this (after dex, I think he can tolerate anything!), it would give patients and physicians more time to evaluate these new drugs "out in the field." As we all know, carfilzomib was JUST approved in February 2013. We are lucky to have all these new therapies available in the future, if needed ! But, I like the idea of using something with a proven track record for years and years before bringing out "the big guns." I am encouraged to read of the positive results many people have had with C/Rev/dex. Not sure yet what direction to take.
-
xstemboatr
Re: Experience with Melphalan (alkeran) and prednisone?
Hi "xstemboatr" I'm really glad you might have benefited from the posts on the MP regimen - I was surprised to find so few posts on it when my Mom was first going to start it. It really does seem that MP is a good option - like you said, if there is no plan for a SCT. I guess because high-dose melphalan is used in the induction for the SCT, that the lower dose use of the melphalan will make the high dose not effective for SCT?? Maybe one of the multiple myeloma doctors that frequent these boards could clarify this?
My Mom's onco said the same thing about the MP, that it is an older tried and true regimen; they know it can work . From my Mom's experience, I would agree about tolerance and what your husband's onco said about having tolerated dex before. I agree, we are lucky there are more options out there and still coming along the process and in clinical trials.
Keep us posted on what regimen you and your husband decide to start. Please feel free to write me personally if I can answer specific questions about the MP - not sure I will be able to be I will try related to my Mom's experience and the bit of research I've done. Good luck, wishing you and your husband well1
My Mom's onco said the same thing about the MP, that it is an older tried and true regimen; they know it can work . From my Mom's experience, I would agree about tolerance and what your husband's onco said about having tolerated dex before. I agree, we are lucky there are more options out there and still coming along the process and in clinical trials.
Keep us posted on what regimen you and your husband decide to start. Please feel free to write me personally if I can answer specific questions about the MP - not sure I will be able to be I will try related to my Mom's experience and the bit of research I've done. Good luck, wishing you and your husband well1
-
Twi - Name: Twi
- Who do you know with myeloma?: My wonderful Mom, Janet
- When were you/they diagnosed?: May 2010
- Age at diagnosis: 70
Re: Experience with Melphalan (alkeran) and prednisone?
Hi Twi, I just happened to come across this forum recently and, although there has not been an update on this topic for over a year, I am hoping that you and/or someone will read this and hopefully start the conversation going again. I hope your mom is doing well.
My 85 year old mom was diagnosed with smoldering myeloma 3 years ago but, because it was still "sleeping" (mom's term), it has not been a concern. However, last month's follow up confirmed otherwise. We finished our first round of treatment of 5mg melphalan and 100mg prednisone on July 1. It was four day treatment same as you mom.
So far so good, very little if any side effects yet, but maybe it's too soon? Slightly pronounced confusion and frequent trips to the bathroom for #2.
Mom has multiple comorbidities and I fear that what would normally be a mild side effect for others will be significant for her. Would you recall how long before your mom started getting the side effects and how soon did it stop?
We will meet with her hematologist at the end of the month with bloodwork the week before.
Thank you and God Bless.
My 85 year old mom was diagnosed with smoldering myeloma 3 years ago but, because it was still "sleeping" (mom's term), it has not been a concern. However, last month's follow up confirmed otherwise. We finished our first round of treatment of 5mg melphalan and 100mg prednisone on July 1. It was four day treatment same as you mom.
So far so good, very little if any side effects yet, but maybe it's too soon? Slightly pronounced confusion and frequent trips to the bathroom for #2.
Mom has multiple comorbidities and I fear that what would normally be a mild side effect for others will be significant for her. Would you recall how long before your mom started getting the side effects and how soon did it stop?
We will meet with her hematologist at the end of the month with bloodwork the week before.
Thank you and God Bless.
-
LolaLuz
15 posts
• Page 2 of 2 • 1, 2
Return to Treatments & Side Effects