[hp1610]

Thalidomide side effects

by hp1610 on Mon Dec 20, 2010 11:52 am

Hi,

A lot is spoken and written about the thalidomide side effects, mainly peripheral neuropathy. That was indeed my main fear when starting my current Velcade, thalidomide, and dexamethasone (VTD) protocol two months ago: weekly Velcade, 100 mg thalidomide daily, and 40 mg dexamethasone for four weeks, then one week off. Fortunately, I haven't encountered any peripheral neuropathy symptoms so far.

On the other hand, since I started the protocol I have noticed deterioration in two aspects:

1. Vision: Mainly long-range! I've noticed significant vision deterioration since I started the thalidomide.
2. Erection: Yes, noticeable problems since I started the thalidomide, but particularly lately after two months of use.

I'm a male, 49 years old with good health (beside of the multiple myeloma), doing a lot of exercise and generally feel well.

My question: Are these two symptoms indeed common to thalidomide? And if so, are they reversible? I read that peripheral neuropathy as a result of thalidomide can be un-reversible. That very troubling considering the second side-effect I described! So far the results for the treatment are great so I'm quite reluctant to change anything.

Also, are there any other common thalidomide-related side effects I should know about?

Merry Christmas,

HP

[PB]

Re: Thalidomide side effects

by PB on Tue Dec 28, 2010 5:31 pm

i have been on dexamethasone and thalidomide for 7 years and had cataracts develop while still in my late 40's. I think it was related to the dex and its blood-sugar effects, much like diabetics develop cataracts.

Libido has gone way down since diagnosis / treatment, and I use Viagra to control that "side effect".

Best wishes on your healing and "new normal".

[Grizlump]

Re: Thalidomide side effects

by Grizlump on Sun Jul 08, 2018 10:36 pm

My doctor is considering starting me on thalidomide and dexamethasone soon. The patient information for thalidomide lists every possible know thing like so many drugs do now. So I'm wondering what the main things are that are possible in terms of side effects.

Thanks
Grizlump.