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Dementia?
I've been my mother's care partner since her diagnosis of multiple myeloma in 2009. She's been doing very well, first on Velcade/thalidomide/ Dex and for the last year on 50 MG of Thalomide only. She did have two mini-strokes six months ago but has been on Plavix and was doing fine. In the last 6 to 8 weeks though, I've noticed that she's "different": forgetful, sometimes confused, more childlike. We're waiting for the results of a CAT scan to rule out stroke, but I'm wondering if anyone has any insight on this change in her mental state. Any help is deeply appreciated.
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Kore
Re: Dementia?
Hi Kore -bare in mind that time frames are approximate
I'll give you what info I recall about my treatment in 2004 with Thalidomide & Dex (I was also on Morphine both liquid & pills, for Extreme Pain in lower spine ) while I was using these 3 medicines I was completely out of it (at one point I was seeing things that did not exist, I believe this was due to the liquid morphine) I took the liquid morphine for about 2 months ,then ceased taking it -the Pink spiders & such went away- continued taking the pill form of the morphine for about 2 more months my confusion was reduced but not entirely gone , I continued taking the Thalidomide & Dex for a total of 10 months and was not mentally or physically worth a dam during that entire time ,after that I gradually improved to the point that about 14 months into my disease I started feeling that I could actually make rational decisions about something more involved than what I was going to have for breakfast-(trust me this decision on breakfast was important as most foods tasted like sawdust or plastic during my treatment phase, my weight dropped from 200 lb to 150lbs) I also found that my spelling ability was impaired badly enough that 2 clowns on my military web site made derogatory remarks about it ?? I am now in my 8th year & mental ability is about normal for a person my age , spelling is ok but not 100% as you will probably see when you read this (no spell check) Physically I have never recovered, there was a point in my life where I could lift 1200 lbs with my legs and now I can just barely get up off the floor if I go down on 1 knee , I'm not sure if the Myeloma its self is causing my problems or if I'm still suffering from side effects of the drugs, actually my walking & standing ability has been effected so I cannot exersize properly?. I just had an appointment with my Oncologist yesterday and he says my blood tests (light chains -protein levels etc.) look fine , at the present time I am taking No meds for the Myeloma at all , I do take Meds for my blood pressure which is exteremely high unmedicated. Not sure if any of this helps answer what you inquired about or not best regards . N.G.
I'll give you what info I recall about my treatment in 2004 with Thalidomide & Dex (I was also on Morphine both liquid & pills, for Extreme Pain in lower spine ) while I was using these 3 medicines I was completely out of it (at one point I was seeing things that did not exist, I believe this was due to the liquid morphine) I took the liquid morphine for about 2 months ,then ceased taking it -the Pink spiders & such went away- continued taking the pill form of the morphine for about 2 more months my confusion was reduced but not entirely gone , I continued taking the Thalidomide & Dex for a total of 10 months and was not mentally or physically worth a dam during that entire time ,after that I gradually improved to the point that about 14 months into my disease I started feeling that I could actually make rational decisions about something more involved than what I was going to have for breakfast-(trust me this decision on breakfast was important as most foods tasted like sawdust or plastic during my treatment phase, my weight dropped from 200 lb to 150lbs) I also found that my spelling ability was impaired badly enough that 2 clowns on my military web site made derogatory remarks about it ?? I am now in my 8th year & mental ability is about normal for a person my age , spelling is ok but not 100% as you will probably see when you read this (no spell check) Physically I have never recovered, there was a point in my life where I could lift 1200 lbs with my legs and now I can just barely get up off the floor if I go down on 1 knee , I'm not sure if the Myeloma its self is causing my problems or if I'm still suffering from side effects of the drugs, actually my walking & standing ability has been effected so I cannot exersize properly?. I just had an appointment with my Oncologist yesterday and he says my blood tests (light chains -protein levels etc.) look fine , at the present time I am taking No meds for the Myeloma at all , I do take Meds for my blood pressure which is exteremely high unmedicated. Not sure if any of this helps answer what you inquired about or not best regards . N.G.
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Nipon Ginko - Name: Nipon Ginko
- Who do you know with myeloma?: ME
- When were you/they diagnosed?: 2004
- Age at diagnosis: 66
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