[Tom74]

How long until a break in treatment?

by Tom74 on Tue Oct 13, 2015 7:03 pm

I take my chemo every Thursday. Thursday will make one month. Any input on how long the weekly shots last before a break? My systems were rib pain – thought I had broken a rib.

Thanks and any input is greatly appreciated

Tom

[JimNY]

Re: How long until a break in treatment?

by JimNY on Tue Oct 13, 2015 11:04 pm

Welcome to the forum, Tom. Sorry you have to be here!

It's really hard to answer your question without knowing more about your situation. For ex­ample, is the treatment you're receiving the first treatment you've gotten for multiple myeloma?

Also, what drug are you getting injections of (maybe Velcade?), and are you being treated with any other drugs as well? Is your doctor planning on having you do a stem cell transplant after the treatment you're receiving now?

Finally, are you in the U.S. or another country?

Without answers to these questions, it's hard to say how long you're likely to receive your cur­rent treatment regimen. It does vary anyway from doctor to doctor and treatment center to treat­ment center, particularly in the U.S., but we might be able to give you more feedback if we knew more about the specifics of your situation.

[Tom74]

Re: How long until a break in treatment?

by Tom74 on Thu Oct 15, 2015 10:48 am

I am on steroids, Revlimid and Velcade shot every Thursday. My two days of steroids make me hungry and do not sleep.

I had pain in left ribs, thought I had a broken rib, but they found lesions on ribs and spine. Full scan saw none in kidneys etc.

Just wondering how long weekly chemo treatment? Talked to several patients but most had stem cell treatment.

Tom74

[cdnirene]

Re: How long until a break in treatment?

by cdnirene on Thu Oct 15, 2015 5:38 pm

I was on Velcade and Dex for 9 cycles. I was told initially it would be for 6 to 9 cycles.

[DallasGG]

Re: How long until a break in treatment?

by DallasGG on Thu Oct 15, 2015 9:51 pm

After I was diagnosed I was on Velcade, Revlimid and dex for about 5 months (i.e., 5 cycles). I had one week off during each cycle. I was in remission after about 3-4 months of the initial treatment. I then took a couple of months off of all treatments before I had an auto stem cell transplant. About 120 days after the auto SCT, I started maintenance treatments with Revlimid and dex. I've been on that maintenance now for about 15-16 months.

[Tom74]

Re: How long until a break in treatment?

by Tom74 on Tue Oct 20, 2015 9:16 am

Once you hit 70, new rules say no transplants will be paid by Medicare. So I am on 25 mg dex Monday and Tuesday, Revlimid 21 days on, off 7, and Velcade every Thursday.

My co pay for Revlimid is 2400 for 21 pills.

Dex makes me on edge, hungry, and no sleep. Knock on wood, chemo and Revlimid so far no side effects.

Tom74

[Christa's Mom]

Re: How long until a break in treatment?

by Christa's Mom on Thu Oct 22, 2015 12:28 pm

Wow! $2,400 is a huge co-pay. There are groups out there that can help with that. The benefits people in your oncologist's office may have a list. One that I'm aware of is the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. Here is the information.

Good luck,

Lyn