[mcg07]

Myelomatous Meningitis

by mcg07 on Mon Oct 03, 2011 10:57 pm

Hi, my name is Maria and my Dad has Multiple Myeloma. He was diagnosed in 2008 and was treated with Velcade and Revlimid and had a stem cell transplant in June of 2010. He did very well with the stem cell transplant and was in complete remission. In July of this year his blood levels looked very good but he was having problems with his one calf muscle being swollen and bothering him. His doctor did a CT Scan and then a biopsy and determined that the Multiple Myeloma was now in some of his muscles and he was diagnosed with Non-Secretory Escape Multiple Myeloma. He was then put on Velcade and Thalidomide. He had also been feeling very light-headed the last couple of months but the doctor thought it was issues related to his inner ear but it started to get worse to the point where he couldn't walk to the bathroom without a walker. He had an appointment with his doctor on Monday, September 26 and was then admitted to the hospital so they could determine why his equilibrium was off. They did an MRI of his brain as well as a spinal tap and although the MRI of his brain looked good the spinal tap revealed Multiple Myeloma cells. We found out last Friday that he now has Myelomatous Meningitis. I have read about this and know that this is an extremely serious and rare form of Multiple Myeloma and that there are currently no universally accepted treatments. However, I was hoping that someone may know of some treatments being used that may have had some success.

Thanks for taking the time to read this and I would really appreciate any information you could provide to help my Dad.

[Dr. Edward Libby]

Re: Myelomatous Meningitis

by Dr. Edward Libby on Wed Oct 05, 2011 11:29 am

Myelomatous meningitis is a rare complication of myeloma but not unheard of. There are no new developments in therapy coming up. Unfortunately it tends to suggest a poor prognosis. It sounds like your father is in good hands in terms of his myeloma. Drugs which are often used to treat hematolgic cancers involving the central nervous system include cytarabine and methotrexate given via a lumbar puncture. I wish your father all the best.

[Anonymous]

Re: Myelomatous Meningitis

by Anonymous on Sun Oct 09, 2011 8:46 pm

Dr. Libby,

Thanks for taking the time to comment on my post. Would you suggest my Dad participate in a clinical trial?

Thanks,