My mother was diagnosed with smoldering multiple myeloma IGG-KAPPA about 18 months ago. She is 70 years old, and before the diagnosis was very healthy and active. The doctors recommended no treatment at that point. 6 months ago, when the free light chain ch-kappa was 303, free light chain ch-lambda was 0.1 and free kappa/free lambda was 4094, the doctors decided it was time to start treatment, so she started a regimen of Thalidomide and Dexacort. Now, 6 months later, her numbers are 217, 5.6 and 38.5 respectively. She is tolerating the treatment ok, but getting somewhat weak, to the point where her fast 4-km daily walk is now reduce to a slow 1km amble.
The doctor is now offering that she get a one-time injection of cytoxan in order to lower her numbers even further so they can harvest stem cells for future transplant. We are worried that the side effects of the cytoxan will spiral, and wonder whether she shouldn't just continue with the Thalidomide-Dexacort combo until the numbers get low enough for the stem cell harvest.
The doctor gave her 2 weeks to consider the options, and we'd like to get a second opinion, but don't even know what to ask. Anyone have any thoughts? Experiences to share? Questions for the doctor to suggest?
Forums
1 post
• Page 1 of 1
1 post
• Page 1 of 1