[mgedack]

Newly diagnosed Stage III

by mgedack on Tue Dec 10, 2013 12:20 am

My husband, age 71, is newly diagnosed, stage III multiple myeloma - doctor is recommending Revlimid and Decadron - he's in very good health otherwise - recently had 3 compression fractures and 2 rib fractures ( leading to the diagnosis). He is considering no treatment - can't find any posts of anyone who hasn't gone through treatment. Would love to hear from folks who have declined the chemotherapy part.

[DallasGG]

Re: Newly diagnosed Stage III

by DallasGG on Tue Dec 10, 2013 10:44 am

Why would he not want treatment? If it's for the possible side effects, for many people the side effects are fairly minor and most people can live a fairly normal life with them. I was diagnosed in June 2013 and had 5 cycles of treatment (Velcade, revilmid and dexamethasone). Yeah, I had some side effects (occasional heartburn, some minor peripheral neuropathy in my feet and a few more minor ones from the steroids), but after 3 cycles of treatment, there was no more monoclonal protein found in my blood. I feel much better than I have in years and the treatments were worth it. I would suggest that your husband at least try the treatments and then decide whether the side effects are too bad to continue with them.

I was also in very good health and my multiple myeloma was diagnosed as a result of an annual physical exam which showed that I had slight anemia. Looking back I had signs that something was not normal. I had occasional nosebleeds and an increasing number of headaches but no kidney or bone damage.