Hi Jaren,
I took Revlimid as my first maintenance drug. I had thalidomide as my induction drug, and it definitely knocked me out. So, when I was put on Revlimid, I always took it before I went to sleep.
I had a hard time with Revlimid, even at lower doses. (You'll find postings here from people like me, who had a hard time, and others who didn't, so don't be scared by what I'm writing.) Just be aware that your mom's energy levels will not be the same while she is getting treatment drugs. I learned to change my schedules -- work, evenings, tv viewing, etc. Thank goodness for On Demand and DVR so I could watch my shows a few days later, before I conked out.
There are other side effects to watch out for, including dry skin patches, constipation (I love Miralax) or diarrhea. I swear by Jergens with shea butter; others have posted about liking Eucerin or one of the other moisturizers. Just make sure your mom has some.
Another thought -- if your mom has some difficulty walking outside, can she walk inside? Especially now with the cold weather gripping a lot of the nation, maybe she can walk laps in her home? I do that sometimes -- I take a break from working and do laps around the main level in my house.
There's a bunch of good postings about Velcade on the Beacon. I researched it here before I started on it last June. It made me tired, and I could swear a door closed in my colon after an injection. I switched back to normal after I was done with treatment, though, so nothing lasting.
Dana A
Forums
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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
Re: Nervous wreck - biopsy results tomorrow for mom
Nancy -
Great to hear! How long were you out of work for after your transplant?
My husband is doing much better on this 3rd cycle of RVD - did not go to sleep until 10. Perhaps the myeloma is down enough to help him feel more alert and he is less anemic.
Great to hear! How long were you out of work for after your transplant?
My husband is doing much better on this 3rd cycle of RVD - did not go to sleep until 10. Perhaps the myeloma is down enough to help him feel more alert and he is less anemic.
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EF11 - Who do you know with myeloma?: husband
- When were you/they diagnosed?: November 2014
- Age at diagnosis: 43
Re: Nervous wreck - biopsy results tomorrow for mom
Dana, Hello!
So far, mom has been doing well with the Revlimid (with the exception of being knocked out almost immediately after taking it). But, overall, she is doing great with the Revlimid. It's really only been a week and a few days that she has been taking it. She uses the Eucerin lotion after showering and she tells me that her boyfriend applies the lotion all over her (imagine that), LOL. Mom and I have a silly sense of humor. Humor and faith is what is getting us through this time!
Yesterday she received her first Velcade injection. I do know that they injected her near her belly button. From what she says, it was painless and very quick.
She has also gained 3 pounds since her last visit! Although it's not much, I am glad to see that she isn't losing anymore weight. We have started supplementing her meals with Ensure 3 times daily. So I guess it must be helping!
She gets her dental clearance on Saturday, so she will be ok to start Zometa on Wednesday. I am glad that we are actually moving forward. Mom's hemoglobin level was 9.5 yesterday (it's usually in the 7 range). So that's another positive thing.
I am glad to chat with you, you have actually informed me a whole lot and I could not be more appreciative.
Best wishes for you! Please keep me posted, and I will be sure to do the same!
So far, mom has been doing well with the Revlimid (with the exception of being knocked out almost immediately after taking it). But, overall, she is doing great with the Revlimid. It's really only been a week and a few days that she has been taking it. She uses the Eucerin lotion after showering and she tells me that her boyfriend applies the lotion all over her (imagine that), LOL. Mom and I have a silly sense of humor. Humor and faith is what is getting us through this time!
Yesterday she received her first Velcade injection. I do know that they injected her near her belly button. From what she says, it was painless and very quick.
She has also gained 3 pounds since her last visit! Although it's not much, I am glad to see that she isn't losing anymore weight. We have started supplementing her meals with Ensure 3 times daily. So I guess it must be helping!
She gets her dental clearance on Saturday, so she will be ok to start Zometa on Wednesday. I am glad that we are actually moving forward. Mom's hemoglobin level was 9.5 yesterday (it's usually in the 7 range). So that's another positive thing.
I am glad to chat with you, you have actually informed me a whole lot and I could not be more appreciative.
Best wishes for you! Please keep me posted, and I will be sure to do the same!
Re: Nervous wreck - biopsy results tomorrow for mom
Hi Jaren. I laughed about your "silly sense of humor." My daughter and I are very close, and she was with me through my stem cell transplant. When my hair started falling out, there was a day when all I had left was wisps at my neck / scalp edge. She looked at me and said, "Mom, you look like the Crypt Keeper." She downloaded a picture (cartoon) of the Crypt Keeper, took a photo of me making a creepy face like an old hag, and we sent it out with a caption saying "look familiar?" Not all the recipients thought it was funny, but we did. Definitely a silly sense of humor!
She and I are off to warm up in the Virgin Islands tomorrow, so I won't be checking messages for a week. I hope your mom continues to do well.
Dana
She and I are off to warm up in the Virgin Islands tomorrow, so I won't be checking messages for a week. I hope your mom continues to do well.
Dana
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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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