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Response to Induction Therapy
My 43 year old husband began therapy (Rev/Dex) on April 8th his M spike was 1.8 by SPEP. Velcade was added in after 1 month of rev/dex for May and June. June 20th his M spike by SPEP was no longer detected. He is completing 1 more 3 week cycle of Velcade/Rev/dex and then pending BMB results may be switched to Revlimid maintenance only. We have to decide if we want to do ASCT now or wait. Any thoughts on the best approach?
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blair77 - Who do you know with myeloma?: My husband
- When were you/they diagnosed?: April 2013
- Age at diagnosis: 43
Re: Response to Induction Therapy
Hello,
The other option is to collect stem cells now, and then use it later, if that is a choice.
Good luck with whatever you decide to do.
The other option is to collect stem cells now, and then use it later, if that is a choice.
Good luck with whatever you decide to do.
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dnalex - Name: Alex N.
- Who do you know with myeloma?: mother
- When were you/they diagnosed?: 2007
- Age at diagnosis: 56
Re: Response to Induction Therapy
My husband is 46 and has his last Velcade injection for induction therapy this Friday! He was in normal levels after his first round of treatment. I wanted to consider delaying the SCT and looked into this not realising that my husband felt the need to go ahead with it - he wants to try for a longer remission and the specialist did say because he is still young AND responded well why not try go for a deeper response.
I had to let go of what I wanted and now support what my husband wants and understand his reasons for it. What makes it easier for us is a good friend of mine just had a SCT for Myeloma and he had no problems and looks fantastic now (he was diagnosed in Oct last year much worse than my husband)
I guess being in Australia and having choices with free public hospital treatment does make a difference. Thank goodness Velcade was added to the list of drugs public hospitals can use last November!!
All the best as you begin making some decisions... whatever you choose you will feel better when you make the choice
I had to let go of what I wanted and now support what my husband wants and understand his reasons for it. What makes it easier for us is a good friend of mine just had a SCT for Myeloma and he had no problems and looks fantastic now (he was diagnosed in Oct last year much worse than my husband)
I guess being in Australia and having choices with free public hospital treatment does make a difference. Thank goodness Velcade was added to the list of drugs public hospitals can use last November!!
All the best as you begin making some decisions... whatever you choose you will feel better when you make the choice
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Ulrika - Name: Ulrika
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Husband
- When were you/they diagnosed?: 3/2012
- Age at diagnosis: 45
Re: Response to Induction Therapy
I have also read a couple articles saying that such a rapid complete response was not as durable. However, my husbands doctor says there is no real evidence of this. So much information is confusing!!!!!
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blair77 - Who do you know with myeloma?: My husband
- When were you/they diagnosed?: April 2013
- Age at diagnosis: 43
Re: Response to Induction Therapy
Be careful with what I think of as "over treatment". The game with multiple myeloma is one of staying ahead of the disease... you will not "cure" it.
The best strategy to my way of thinking is to use your tools sparingly. If your husbands have reduced their cancer burden with chemo to the point where the markers are in the normal range then go on maintenance and save further treatments for the eventual relapse. In general, a second stem cell transplant is nowhere near as effective as the first and a third is basically out of the question. Do your first when your markers are in the normal range and your second may be ineffective when relapse occurs.
Chris
The best strategy to my way of thinking is to use your tools sparingly. If your husbands have reduced their cancer burden with chemo to the point where the markers are in the normal range then go on maintenance and save further treatments for the eventual relapse. In general, a second stem cell transplant is nowhere near as effective as the first and a third is basically out of the question. Do your first when your markers are in the normal range and your second may be ineffective when relapse occurs.
Chris
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