My husband (now 73) was dx'd Oct., 2010 with Stage III - IgG Kappa multiple myeloma. He injured his back while golfing, and was going downhill at a rapid pace. By the time he was diagnosed (after much "aggressiveness" on my part that his PCP continue running tests, etc.) he was in pretty dire straits.
He has responded well to treatment (Velcade/Dex), but we've been through some pretty rough times with pain. If a medication had even a "possible" side-effect .......he experienced it!
His pain is finally under control, but the problem is nausea and loss of appetite. He eats almost nothing, and what he does get down seems to be forced. This has been going on for about two months, but is getting worse.
For the most part, his labs look pretty good. Creatnine is a little elevated, but BUN is normal.....so kidneys aren't the problem.
I keep a detailed journal and a medication log - complete with med, date prescribed, dosage, and notes. His appetite issues started about the same time he began taking Calcium (prescribed in conjunction with Zometa). Since there have been no other changes to his medications, it seems that the Calcium must be the issue (even though it's pretty low dosage, but is taken every day.)
Has anyone else had this experience? And, how long will it take for the Calcium to leave his system?
If we can get this straightened out....life will be pretty good (until the next issue!)
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Sarah - Name: Sarah
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Husband
- When were you/they diagnosed?: October 7, 2010
- Age at diagnosis: 72
Re: Question re. appetite & nausea issues.....and Calcium
Forgot to mention that he's in Near CR....so his last treatment was 5/24. He had no problems with his appetite during the Velcade/Dex treatments.
He takes Protonix twice daily, and that has not proven to help, nor does Phenergan or Ativan.
He takes Protonix twice daily, and that has not proven to help, nor does Phenergan or Ativan.
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Sarah - Name: Sarah
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Husband
- When were you/they diagnosed?: October 7, 2010
- Age at diagnosis: 72
Re: Question re. appetite & nausea issues.....and Calcium
Hi Sarah,
What is his actual calcium count? Elevated calcium can make you really sick, naseas etc. I was at 14 once and it is not an experience I wish to repeat. I hope you figure it out soon.
Best Regards,
Pam
What is his actual calcium count? Elevated calcium can make you really sick, naseas etc. I was at 14 once and it is not an experience I wish to repeat. I hope you figure it out soon.
Best Regards,
Pam
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Pamela Lussier - Name: Pamela Lussier
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Pamela Lussier
- When were you/they diagnosed?: 2007
- Age at diagnosis: 50
Re: Question re. appetite & nausea issues.....and Calcium
Hi Sarah,
So sorry you all are going through this. Has he ever been on antidepressants? Some can help with pain, and they can stimulate your appetite.
Good luck!
Lyn
So sorry you all are going through this. Has he ever been on antidepressants? Some can help with pain, and they can stimulate your appetite.
Good luck!
Lyn
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Christa's Mom - Name: Christa's Mom
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Husband
- When were you/they diagnosed?: September, 2010
- Age at diagnosis: 53
Re: Question re. appetite & nausea issues.....and Calcium
Thanks, everyone, for your responses.
Finally, after a process of elimination, we asked his doctor to put him back on his "old" B/P medication. It had worked for 7 years, without incident, but had been changed because his Drug Plan no longer had it on their Formulary.
Calcium.....please forgive me.......it was the Losartan Potassium B/P drug causing the problem!
Another drug to add to my list of "cannot take". Once again, things are calm at this house.
Sarah
Finally, after a process of elimination, we asked his doctor to put him back on his "old" B/P medication. It had worked for 7 years, without incident, but had been changed because his Drug Plan no longer had it on their Formulary.
Calcium.....please forgive me.......it was the Losartan Potassium B/P drug causing the problem!
Another drug to add to my list of "cannot take". Once again, things are calm at this house.
Sarah
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Sarah - Name: Sarah
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Husband
- When were you/they diagnosed?: October 7, 2010
- Age at diagnosis: 72
Re: Question re. appetite & nausea issues.....and Calcium
Like your husband, I was stage III and was diagnosed after a back injury. The back injury was a starburst compression fracture that was followed bt three other lumbar and thoracic fractures.
Like yor husband my myloma responded to the chemo drugs and after four cycles of Velcade Revlimid and Decadron I went into CR.
CR is good.
My best wishes, hopes and prayers for both of you.
Chip
Like yor husband my myloma responded to the chemo drugs and after four cycles of Velcade Revlimid and Decadron I went into CR.
CR is good.
My best wishes, hopes and prayers for both of you.
Chip
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Chip - Name: Chip
- When were you/they diagnosed?: 20 November 2010
- Age at diagnosis: 58
Re: Question re. appetite & nausea issues.....and Calcium
Chip: I'm glad you're doing well. I hope your CR lasts for many months/years!
Bob's M-Spike has begun to creep back up (0.3 g/dl) and he now has a "punched out" lesion in his back left hip. His oncologist has now prescribed Revlimid (21 days on - 7 off), and 40 mg. of Dex.
We were in "sticker shock" because of the cost of Revlimid. If it works, that's what matters.
Thanks for your response!
Sarah
Bob's M-Spike has begun to creep back up (0.3 g/dl) and he now has a "punched out" lesion in his back left hip. His oncologist has now prescribed Revlimid (21 days on - 7 off), and 40 mg. of Dex.
We were in "sticker shock" because of the cost of Revlimid. If it works, that's what matters.
Thanks for your response!
Sarah
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Sarah - Name: Sarah
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Husband
- When were you/they diagnosed?: October 7, 2010
- Age at diagnosis: 72
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