[ByYourSide]

Re: Newly diagnosed brother not getting Revlimid

by ByYourSide on Mon Oct 26, 2015 8:56 pm

My husband was in renal failure when newly diagnosed. Long story short, our local oncologist started the CyBorD (Cytoxan, Velcade and dex) regimen, a low dose at first, until his kidneys recovered. Later, when we met with our myeloma specialist, she kept my husband on the same regimen, adjusting the dose for the recovering kidneys, through 6 cycles of induction. He had his autologous stem cell transplant (ASCT) in August. We are at Day+82 and hopefully in complete remission.

Glad your brother has an appointment with a specialist; the doctor can tailor the treatment regimen to his particular type of myeloma. Good luck to him on his journey!

[jlyurko]

Re: Newly diagnosed brother not getting Revlimid

by jlyurko on Tue Oct 27, 2015 9:44 am

Thanks everyone! All of your info is so helpful. He is receiving the Velcade on Friday and Monday for 2 weeks and then 10 days off. How will they test to see if the Velcade/dex is working? Will they do another bone marrow biopsy?

Thanks!
Jen

[JimNY]

Re: Newly diagnosed brother not getting Revlimid

by JimNY on Tue Oct 27, 2015 9:50 am

Hi Jen,

They will monitor your brother's response to treatment through his "M-spike", which is reported on his serum protein electrophoresis (SPEP) test, and through his serum free light chain test results (kappa, lambda, and kappa/lambda ratio results). These tests will be done at least monthly.

They also will monitor his kidney health through, for example, his serum creatinine level. Of course, they'll also be watching things like his various blood cell counts to ensure that his immune system is not weakened too much by the treatment.

I don't think they will do a bone marrow biopsy anytime in the immediate future.

[NStewart]

Re: Newly diagnosed brother not getting Revlimid

by NStewart on Tue Oct 27, 2015 12:21 pm

Jen-

I'm glad that you clarified the Velcade dosing schedule. That makes sense as 3 days a week didn't. Hopefully your brother is tolerating the Velcade well and his kidneys are continuing to recover.

Bone marrow biopsies usually aren't done very often unless you are a nonsecretor. And, then, bone marrow biopsies and PET/CT scans are the only way to track the myeloma. It sounds like your brother doesn't fall into that category.

Another comment about Revlimid not being approved for administration in the hospital, but Velcade being approved. Remember that Velcade is either done by injection or infusion and is done in the doctor's office/clinic. Because of that it comes under health insurance coverage and not prescription plan coverage.

Nancy in Phila

[jlyurko]

Re: Newly diagnosed brother not getting Revlimid

by jlyurko on Tue Oct 27, 2015 12:25 pm

Hi Nancy,

I see that you are from Philly. If you don't mind me asking, who is your doctor?

Thanks,
Jen