For anyone who has had SCT - I was wondering, since I am very newly diagnosed and I am about to go see my doctor to find out what he is planning for my treatment, what are the side effects that you experienced during induction therapy? And how long did your induction last?
I am stage one with no kidney involvement, thankfully. And I am otherwise healthy ... other than being stage one multiple myeloma. I know everyone is different but I just kind of wanted to know what you had experienced. Thanks!
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diamondgirl0124 - Who do you know with myeloma?: me
- When were you/they diagnosed?: Jan 2014
- Age at diagnosis: 42
Re: Induction therapy - side effects, length?
Hi DiamondGirl - There are a variety of different induction regimens for myeloma, and the side effects are usually different from regimen to regimen. The same is true, in some ways, for how long the therapy is usually given.
For example, some doctors will put their patients on an induction regimen of just Revlimid and dexamethasone, and suggest that they stay on it for just about as long as they can.
In other cases, a doctor might suggest going on to a 3 or 4 drug regimen, like Velcade, Revlimid, and dex, but just for several cycles.
So you may get more helpful feedback, particularly about side effects, once you and your doctor have decided on your induction regimen.
For example, some doctors will put their patients on an induction regimen of just Revlimid and dexamethasone, and suggest that they stay on it for just about as long as they can.
In other cases, a doctor might suggest going on to a 3 or 4 drug regimen, like Velcade, Revlimid, and dex, but just for several cycles.
So you may get more helpful feedback, particularly about side effects, once you and your doctor have decided on your induction regimen.
Re: Induction therapy - side effects, length?
Hi DiamondGirl. Terry's reply was spot on. As you'll see from other postings, some of us reacted to the dexamethasone included in our induction therapy. My oncologist eventually cut down on the amount I was taking because I was so hyper I couldn't sleep, then I would crash when I was off of it.
The induction drugs have a variety of side effects, but everyone is different. I took thalidomide as my induction medication, which can cause neuropathy. I had tingling in one arm for one week, then nothing else. Velcade can also cause neuropathy, but again, not for everyone. Revlimid can knock your blood counts way down. I took Revlimid as a maintenance drug and for me, it also made me really itchy, so I coated myself in Jergen's Ultra Healing every day, from head to toe.
There is good information about each of the treatment medications both on this site and the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation web site. As Terry suggested, it is helpful to read about them and ask your oncologist lots of questions.
The induction drugs have a variety of side effects, but everyone is different. I took thalidomide as my induction medication, which can cause neuropathy. I had tingling in one arm for one week, then nothing else. Velcade can also cause neuropathy, but again, not for everyone. Revlimid can knock your blood counts way down. I took Revlimid as a maintenance drug and for me, it also made me really itchy, so I coated myself in Jergen's Ultra Healing every day, from head to toe.
There is good information about each of the treatment medications both on this site and the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation web site. As Terry suggested, it is helpful to read about them and ask your oncologist lots of questions.
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darnold - Name: Dana Arnold
- Who do you know with myeloma?: self
- When were you/they diagnosed?: May 2009
- Age at diagnosis: 52
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