[antelope1225]

Re: Is Velcade chemotherapy?

by antelope1225 on Tue Dec 20, 2016 9:57 pm

Thank you, Terry. I had thought Revlimid and thalidomide were closely related and might not be considered separately. It was interesting for JimNY to say Revlimid, thalidomide and Velcade had made such a big impact on multiple myeloma treatment and survival that they should not be rejected without trying to work around their side effects.

And Ron, it helps to think of Velcade as more specific to fighting multiple myeloma as opposed to melphalan and other "true" chemotherapy agents which, as the article described as " rather non-specific intracellular poisons". I know with my autologous stem cell transplant the melphalan affected all rapidly dividing cells – in mouth and digestive tract etc It seems much better to have something specific for the multiple myeloma cells.

Cathy

[Brenda Crawford]

Re: Is Velcade chemotherapy?

by Brenda Crawford on Mon Jan 09, 2017 1:06 pm

When my oncologist gave me the recommended treatment plan when I was diagnosed (Stage 2), he said Velcade is a "targeted chemo".

I have had NO adverse reactions to it and have been on it since February 2016. Went into remission in September 2016 and dosage was cut back to once a week rather than twice a week.

[Marilyn C]

Re: Is Velcade chemotherapy?

by Marilyn C on Wed Feb 08, 2017 2:10 pm

I was diagnosed in December of 2016 and have had close to two months of treatment with Velcade, Revlimid, and dexamethasone. None of these drugs have caused noticeable side effects since the first round of treatment (i.e. first three weeks). I barely notice the shot when I get Velcade injections, and I have had no neuropathy from it. I consider the trio of drugs I mentioned to be my chemotherapy, but from now on, I'll refer to them as targeted chemo. I would gladly continue on them indefinitely if I knew they would continue to be effective.

Good luck!
Marilyn