I have been taking care of my mom for about 2 months now and it just dawned on my that these chemicals she's been taking – Cytoxan, Velcade, and dex (CyBorD) – are probably very dangerous to have around my 8 month old son. I started reading horrible side effects for caregivers and families of chemo patients online and am totally freaking myself out. She usually stays in her room the day of chemo but, besides that, she is with my family and I.
I am having a hard time finding anything specifically about the dangers of the CyBorD drugs and precautions for having a patient in our home. Does anyone have insights on this?
Thanks!
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Re: Precautions for caregivers of multiple myeloma patients?
Hello MrsCar:
My wife, who is the patient, had the same concern. We had several infants that visited us and we visited while on induction. In fact, several of the nurses, technicians, and even doctors that treated my wife were pregnant young women. Upon asking, it was felt that there is no issue in being around the patient. The one exception is that for a PET-CT, you are asked to stay away from small children and elderly for a day. Of course, the issue in you home would be that your young one has no chance of accessing any of the medications in the house. That, of course seems obvious, but toddlers are amazing as to what they can potentially do, so you need to be as careful as you possibly can, that is what I would focus on. Good luck to you and your mom, your baby, and your family.
My wife, who is the patient, had the same concern. We had several infants that visited us and we visited while on induction. In fact, several of the nurses, technicians, and even doctors that treated my wife were pregnant young women. Upon asking, it was felt that there is no issue in being around the patient. The one exception is that for a PET-CT, you are asked to stay away from small children and elderly for a day. Of course, the issue in you home would be that your young one has no chance of accessing any of the medications in the house. That, of course seems obvious, but toddlers are amazing as to what they can potentially do, so you need to be as careful as you possibly can, that is what I would focus on. Good luck to you and your mom, your baby, and your family.
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JPC - Name: JPC
Re: Precautions for caregivers of multiple myeloma patients?
Hi Mrs. Carr, I can't agree more that you need to 'child proof' your house, in regards to medications, and more hazards too! My husband and I are doing that too, since we now have 10 month old twin grandchildren, who are learning to crawl, and pull themselves up to try to walk. We not only have put dangerous medications up high in a medicine cupboard, but are plugging the electrical outlets with plastic plugs, putting a baby gate at the top of the stairs, and putting plastic twist cap covers on door knobs. There are also latches that can be put on cupboard doors.
There can also be a problem with catching infections from young children, if you are babysitting them. Their immune systems are not fully developed, and young children catch infections frequently. We immune compromised patients also catch infections easily! So in that regard it might be good to be cautious, for everyone's sake. Either the babies or the patients can get sick. Hope that helps.
There can also be a problem with catching infections from young children, if you are babysitting them. Their immune systems are not fully developed, and young children catch infections frequently. We immune compromised patients also catch infections easily! So in that regard it might be good to be cautious, for everyone's sake. Either the babies or the patients can get sick. Hope that helps.
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Nancy Shamanna - Name: Nancy Shamanna
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Self and others too
- When were you/they diagnosed?: July 2009
Re: Precautions for caregivers of multiple myeloma patients?
I've had a lot of different drugs around my house during my mutli-year journey of health problems. The only drug I've ever taken where health care providers warned me about the safety of those around me is with the cyclophosphamide (Cytoxan).
They told me
1) wash your hand after touching the capsules
2) If there is urinary incontinence, wash the clothes separately. The urine will contain Cytoxan for about 4 days, if I remember correctly.
3) don't let pregnant or young children touch the capsules
4) protect others from accidental ingestion of the capsules.
Obviously most of these only apply if the Cytoxan is taken orally at home. Many people take it IV at the hospital or cancer clinic. In that case, only the cautions about exposure to urine would apply.
They told me
1) wash your hand after touching the capsules
2) If there is urinary incontinence, wash the clothes separately. The urine will contain Cytoxan for about 4 days, if I remember correctly.
3) don't let pregnant or young children touch the capsules
4) protect others from accidental ingestion of the capsules.
Obviously most of these only apply if the Cytoxan is taken orally at home. Many people take it IV at the hospital or cancer clinic. In that case, only the cautions about exposure to urine would apply.
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Tracy J - Name: Tracy Jalbuena
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Me
- When were you/they diagnosed?: 2014
- Age at diagnosis: 42
Re: Precautions for caregivers of multiple myeloma patients?
Thanks for all of your responses! I will definitely need to be more careful...
I had asked her doctor at our first appointment if there was any risk to our family and wish she had mentioned to childproof at that point. Does anyone know the effects of coming in contact with these drugs, especially the Cytoxan, on a healthy adult? I have cleaned up her bathroom without gloves on days after chemo where she was incontenent and now I am nervous that this could have possessed risks to mine and my son's health.
I had asked her doctor at our first appointment if there was any risk to our family and wish she had mentioned to childproof at that point. Does anyone know the effects of coming in contact with these drugs, especially the Cytoxan, on a healthy adult? I have cleaned up her bathroom without gloves on days after chemo where she was incontenent and now I am nervous that this could have possessed risks to mine and my son's health.
Re: Precautions for caregivers of multiple myeloma patients?
I suggest that you read the drug insert that comes with the cytoxan, if she is taking it orally. If she is getting it through an infusion, look it up on line for the safety precautions. I know with Revlimid the pharmacist always goes over the safety precautions each month when a new prescription is being sent out. The delivered medicine always comes with the drug insert from Celgene and with a 3-4 page printed document with all of the possible side effects, how to take the drug and safety precautions. If you get any of those things when you pick up the Cytoxan when it is refilled, read the enclosed literature. Do this for any drug that you, or any member of your family, is taking. It is very important to know about the drug and what to do if you experience any dangerous side effects.
I would bet that the biggest threat in your house is the infections that your young child could bring into the house that would be difficult for your mother to combat. Keeping surfaces clean, washing hands frequently, wearing gloves when you do cleaning, making sure that your child stays away from your mother when he/she gets vaccines that are live vaccines, and keeping any visitors who are obviously ill out of the house is important. Also, as with any medication, it should be kept in a location that your child can't get into. Even if it means putting it in a locked cabinet or drawer. With some basic safety in mind with any child in the house, your mother's myeloma and her treatment shouldn't pose a problem to you and your family.
Nancy in Phila
I would bet that the biggest threat in your house is the infections that your young child could bring into the house that would be difficult for your mother to combat. Keeping surfaces clean, washing hands frequently, wearing gloves when you do cleaning, making sure that your child stays away from your mother when he/she gets vaccines that are live vaccines, and keeping any visitors who are obviously ill out of the house is important. Also, as with any medication, it should be kept in a location that your child can't get into. Even if it means putting it in a locked cabinet or drawer. With some basic safety in mind with any child in the house, your mother's myeloma and her treatment shouldn't pose a problem to you and your family.
Nancy in Phila
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NStewart - Name: Nancy Stewart
- Who do you know with myeloma?: self
- When were you/they diagnosed?: 3/08
- Age at diagnosis: 60
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