It seems from what I read on these forums that most people on Velcade, Revlimid and dexamethasone have a 4-week cycle: 3 weeks on and 1 week off.
I, however, am on a 2 weeks on and 1 week off cycle – Velcade 2 ml, Revlimid 25 mg, and dex 20 mg.
Is anyone else on this routine? I am newly diagnosed and it was caught early. Perhaps this is a new protocol or maybe because I am in early stages.
Just curious, why the difference.
Forums
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Memakes4 - Name: Nancy
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Myself
- When were you/they diagnosed?: June 2016
- Age at diagnosis: 69
Re: Revlimid, Velcade, and dex (RVD) 2 weeks on, 1 week off
Hi Memakes4,
I was on your protocol during induction therapy. I'm guessing you are on 25 mg Revlimid. Now that I'm on maintenance with 15 mg Revlimid, I am on 3 weeks on and 1 week off. I believe your current protocol is very normal. It could be due to 25 mg of Revlimid, one can only be on for 14 days in a row and then the body needs a break.
I was on your protocol during induction therapy. I'm guessing you are on 25 mg Revlimid. Now that I'm on maintenance with 15 mg Revlimid, I am on 3 weeks on and 1 week off. I believe your current protocol is very normal. It could be due to 25 mg of Revlimid, one can only be on for 14 days in a row and then the body needs a break.
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Janet1520
Re: Revlimid, Velcade, and dex (RVD) 2 weeks on, 1 week off
I started my induction therapy in February on this year. I was on the same regimen of 14 days on and then one week off. I was thankful I was on this cycle because the off weeks came sooner. From what I know and was told there is no difference in effectiveness, and I even asked Celgene when I had to do one of my calls.
Good luck the rest of the way through.
AC
Good luck the rest of the way through.
AC
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Aclinkboca - Name: AC
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Myself
- When were you/they diagnosed?: Dec 2015
- Age at diagnosis: 46
Re: Revlimid, Velcade, and dex (RVD) 2 weeks on, 1 week off
Thank you for your responses. I feel better about it now.. I agree with you Aclinkboca about the break coming sooner. I look forward to that week. Soooo tired.
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Memakes4 - Name: Nancy
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Myself
- When were you/they diagnosed?: June 2016
- Age at diagnosis: 69
Re: Revlimid, Velcade, and dex (RVD) 2 weeks on, 1 week off
Hello Memake:
I can't give you a specific reference, but I have heard that the 21-day cycle actually works a little bit better. The 28 day cycle also works, but the 21-day cycle works better. I have heard that it's more for the effectiveness of the Velcade.
Good luck to you.
I can't give you a specific reference, but I have heard that the 21-day cycle actually works a little bit better. The 28 day cycle also works, but the 21-day cycle works better. I have heard that it's more for the effectiveness of the Velcade.
Good luck to you.
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JPC - Name: JPC
Re: Revlimid, Velcade, and dex (RVD) 2 weeks on, 1 week off
This might be an old thread by now, but I just switched from CyBorD (after a less than robust response) to RVD lite. I think in my case that the "lite" refers to the frequency and not the dosage. I am taking 25 mg Revlimid per day for 14 days, plus Velcade injections twice per week, and 20 mg. dexamethasone the day of injection and the day after. So, 14 days on, 7 days off.
That's 4 weeks of medication in 14 days, then a week off. I'm only on my third day, but basic lab results today and my total protein level is within normal for the first time in a long time. Hope that bodes well for my M-spike and free light chain levels. The regimen has been manageable so far, but RBC, and WBC's are already low, plus extreme fatigue. I'll see how it goes and hope we can reduce the Revlimid, and maybe the dexamethasone, to a lower dose.
That's 4 weeks of medication in 14 days, then a week off. I'm only on my third day, but basic lab results today and my total protein level is within normal for the first time in a long time. Hope that bodes well for my M-spike and free light chain levels. The regimen has been manageable so far, but RBC, and WBC's are already low, plus extreme fatigue. I'll see how it goes and hope we can reduce the Revlimid, and maybe the dexamethasone, to a lower dose.
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GoDucks - Name: GoDucks
- Who do you know with myeloma?: me
- When were you/they diagnosed?: March, 2017
- Age at diagnosis: 61
Re: Revlimid, Velcade, and dex (RVD) 2 weeks on, 1 week off
Hi GoDucks,
I am on the same 2 weeks on, one week off Revlimid, Velcade, and dexamethasone (RVD) regimen. Just finishing my second cycle. Generally side effects have been fairly minor for me, but are getting more noticeable. During my first week off, I noticed burning in my hands and arms. General tingling has been worst during meds this cycle, so I am kind of expecting the burning to be worse in this second week off.
Something I have also noticed, the two days after the fourth Velcade injection, I'm nauseous and fatigued more than the previous three injections. Looking forward to that week off.
Other side effects that I haven't seen mentioned elsewhere are drinking alcohol seems to drop my blood pressure for the rest of the evening, enough to make me very light headed when standing up. I have red patches at the Velcade injection sights that are lasting about a week. The nurses are talking about injecting in alternate sites, like my legs, to spread it around.
The last weird thing is my skin on my forehead got really scaly during the first week off. It has just about recovered during the 2 weeks on drugs, so I am interested in seeing what happens this week off.
Good luck with your treatment.
Tony
I am on the same 2 weeks on, one week off Revlimid, Velcade, and dexamethasone (RVD) regimen. Just finishing my second cycle. Generally side effects have been fairly minor for me, but are getting more noticeable. During my first week off, I noticed burning in my hands and arms. General tingling has been worst during meds this cycle, so I am kind of expecting the burning to be worse in this second week off.
Something I have also noticed, the two days after the fourth Velcade injection, I'm nauseous and fatigued more than the previous three injections. Looking forward to that week off.
Other side effects that I haven't seen mentioned elsewhere are drinking alcohol seems to drop my blood pressure for the rest of the evening, enough to make me very light headed when standing up. I have red patches at the Velcade injection sights that are lasting about a week. The nurses are talking about injecting in alternate sites, like my legs, to spread it around.
The last weird thing is my skin on my forehead got really scaly during the first week off. It has just about recovered during the 2 weeks on drugs, so I am interested in seeing what happens this week off.
Good luck with your treatment.
Tony
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Tony Y - Name: Tony Y
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Me
- When were you/they diagnosed?: April 2017
- Age at diagnosis: 49
Re: Revlimid, Velcade, and dex (RVD) 2 weeks on, 1 week off
Thanks Tony. I think this new protocol is doing what it needs to do, but I'm having a tough time with the side effects.
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GoDucks - Name: GoDucks
- Who do you know with myeloma?: me
- When were you/they diagnosed?: March, 2017
- Age at diagnosis: 61
Re: Revlimid, Velcade, and dex (RVD) 2 weeks on, 1 week off
Janet1520 wrote:
I am a bit concerned reading this. My sister is on 3 weeks' cycle and takes 25 mg Revlimid (to treat her relapsed multiple myeloma). Is that regimen not safe? Does she need to speak to her doctor to have her regimen adjusted?
It could be due to 25 mg of Revlimid, one can only be on for 14 days in a row and then the body needs a break.
I am a bit concerned reading this. My sister is on 3 weeks' cycle and takes 25 mg Revlimid (to treat her relapsed multiple myeloma). Is that regimen not safe? Does she need to speak to her doctor to have her regimen adjusted?
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Gala - Name: Gala
- Who do you know with myeloma?: sister, LgA-k
- When were you/they diagnosed?: December 2015
- Age at diagnosis: 48
Re: Revlimid, Velcade, and dex (RVD) 2 weeks on, 1 week off
Hi Gala,
I was taking 25 mg. of Revlimid 21 days out of 28, plus 20 mg of dex weekly for over two years, and I think that many others have been on that same schedule. It was effective in keeping my myeloma under control, although the side effects could be worrisome. I stopped taking it due to having another cancer, and needing treatments for that also, not because it wasn't working for the myeloma.
I was taking 25 mg. of Revlimid 21 days out of 28, plus 20 mg of dex weekly for over two years, and I think that many others have been on that same schedule. It was effective in keeping my myeloma under control, although the side effects could be worrisome. I stopped taking it due to having another cancer, and needing treatments for that also, not because it wasn't working for the myeloma.
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Nancy Shamanna - Name: Nancy Shamanna
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Self and others too
- When were you/they diagnosed?: July 2009
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