I know managing the side effects of Revlimid is a common topic here on the forum. Fortunately I have never had to use Revlimid yet, so I have no experience with this potential solution to the problem of Revlimid diarrhea. The study I link to below finds that taking the cholesterol-lowering drug colesevelam (Welchol) could be helpful for reducing diarrhea and other gastrointestinal side effects related to Revlimid. The article also mentions that a fat diet (20% of caloric intake) helped some of the patients with this problem. I am not sure if these potential solutions have been posted/discussed in the past.
Pawlyn, C, et al, "Lenalidomide-induced diarrhea in patients with myeloma is caused by bile acid malabsorption that responds to treatment," Blood, October 9, 2014 (full text of article; related Beacon news article)
Forums
3 posts
• Page 1 of 1
Re: Revlimid gastrointestinal (GI) side effects
I started Revlimid in the spring and had a lot of side effects and I have been off of it for 2 months, but will probably start back on it in a couple of weeks.
My side affects were loss of appetite, hard to manage constipation, platelet and WBC drop, fatigue that was severe at times, and major weight loss.
I'm not sure how much of an affect age had on the process, but I'm sure that the fatigue was probably encouraged by my age.
I think the point I'm trying to make is that the side effects probably resemble Russian Roulette and you won't know where they take you until later.
My side affects were loss of appetite, hard to manage constipation, platelet and WBC drop, fatigue that was severe at times, and major weight loss.
I'm not sure how much of an affect age had on the process, but I'm sure that the fatigue was probably encouraged by my age.
I think the point I'm trying to make is that the side effects probably resemble Russian Roulette and you won't know where they take you until later.
-
Wayne K - Name: Wayne
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Myself, my sister who passed in '95
- When were you/they diagnosed?: 03/09
- Age at diagnosis: 70
Re: Revlimid gastrointestinal (GI) side effects
On the topic of gastrointestinal issues likely related to Revlimid, I have changed from taking Imodium (loperamide), which I did for several months, over to cholestyramine (Questran) for oral suspension. Cholestyramine is a prescription drug which, like the colesevelam (Welchol) investigated in the study Mark mentioned above, is a bile acid sequestrant used to reduce cholesterol and also to prevent diarrhea.
As part of my current treatment regimen, I am on 10 mg. of Revlimid, 21 days out of 28. I have been off and on Revlimid for over five years. The GI issues were getting worse and I had a bout of problems so awful that I was about to give up taking Revlimid. However, my oncologist had previously suggested I try cholestyramine, and after a few days of taking that and also Imodium, my problems cleared up! So far, after about four weeks, I am feeling much better and living a more normal life, thankfully.
As part of my current treatment regimen, I am on 10 mg. of Revlimid, 21 days out of 28. I have been off and on Revlimid for over five years. The GI issues were getting worse and I had a bout of problems so awful that I was about to give up taking Revlimid. However, my oncologist had previously suggested I try cholestyramine, and after a few days of taking that and also Imodium, my problems cleared up! So far, after about four weeks, I am feeling much better and living a more normal life, thankfully.
-
Nancy Shamanna - Name: Nancy Shamanna
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Self and others too
- When were you/they diagnosed?: July 2009
3 posts
• Page 1 of 1
Return to Treatments & Side Effects