[indy mike]

Revlimid + dex after relapse - how long until an effect?

by indy mike on Fri Mar 14, 2014 12:12 pm

I began a therapeutic regimen of Revlimid 21 days on, 7 days off, and 20 mg of dexamethasone beginning January 15 of this year. It's my first go round with Revlimid.

Following my autologous stem cell transplant and a complete response in June 2011, all was good until my free light chains starting climbing and exceeded the normal ratio back around August. I am a lambda.

My numbers for the most recent lab done this week were 91.9, and 118 a month ago, while the kappa is currently below a measurable level at <3 last month. It was 6.5, so the ratio still has a ways to go to be normal.

My question is: For those of you who are going through or have gone through first relapse and went on Revlimid, how long did it take to see a major difference in your numbers?

1 cycle, 2, 3? What mg were you taking? Were you able to get within normal range?

Curious about side effects also. So far through two full cycles, I have only had very minor cramping in my calves, feet and hands not hardly worth mentioning. I also have had the sniffles for the past two weeks which isn't normal for me and I rarely get colds and don't have allergies.

I read comments here a lot regarding Revlimid and know sooner or late the honeymoon with this drug will probably be over.

Thanks for sharing your stories.

Mike

[NStewart]

Re: Revlimid + dex after relapse - how long until an effect?

by NStewart on Sat Mar 15, 2014 2:28 pm

I had a significant drop in my m-spike with the first round of Revlimid 15 mg and dex 20 mg. My doctor had given me a level that would indicate that he would add Velcade after the first round if I didn't have a response below that level. I more than surpassed the goal and have remained on Revlimid and dexamethasone for 15 months now. The first 2 rounds I had significant drops. Now, I am fairly stable at 0.5 - 0.7 g/dL M-spike. But, my last bloodwork a month ago said that there was no paraprotein noted in the SPEP test, which is good.

I had about 35 months from my autologous stem cell transplant to relapse and was on no main­tenance drugs. My induction was with Revlimid 15 mg and dexamethasone 40 mg. The current regimen is much better, but I do have some mild side effects from each of the drugs. Nothing debilitating, but they can be annoying at times. I've just learned what the rhythms of the drugs in each round are and allow for them when they occur.

From the results that you posted, the drugs are working for you. Give it time. I was a quick responder to the drugs during my induction, too.

Nancy in Phila