[Matt]

I've Made it 1 Year After Diagnosis

by Matt on Tue Apr 06, 2010 12:18 am

Hello everyone. My name is Matt. I was diagnosed in April of 2009 with Stage 3 non-secretory Multiple Myeloma. I had symptoms for three years prior to diagnosis, but because there were never any abnormal protein markers in my blood tests and my age, the doctors were fooled. Instead, I was treated for psoriatic arthritis. In April of 2007 I started on Humira, a TNF blocker. This relieved my symptoms for about 20 months. Then the symptoms reoccurred in late 2008. I also experienced several compression fractures. I also had mild anemia. After a battery of tests I had a bone marrow aspiration which showed multiple myeloma. Over 90 percent of my plasma cells were cancerous.

I began three rounds of Triple Therapy -- Revlimid, Velcade, and Decadron. The next bone marrow aspiration showed that I had a complete response. In August of 2009 I had a stem cell transplant using my own stem cells. Thus far, no multiple myeloma has shown up in my bone marrow aspirations.

The biggest issue concerning my treatment is whether or not to have maintainence therapy using either Revlimid or Velcade. The doctors at the cancer center where I am treating are deciding what their policy is going to be regarding maintainence therapy. Clinical trials have shown that maintainence therapy increases the progression free survival but the jury is still out whether it increases overall survival.

[Janice]

Re: I've Made it 1 Year After Diagnosis

by Janice on Wed Apr 07, 2010 7:56 pm

Matt....just wanted to let you know I was dx stage 3..non secretor...Jan of 96...I had 2 stem cell transplants...stayed on Aredia until 3 yrs. ago...now I travel to Little Rock once a year...to get a check up (bm biopsy).. & MRI, lab, etc.....I was 42 when dx.....I have truly been BLESSED!:D

[MBenson]

Re: I've Made it 1 Year After Diagnosis

by MBenson on Tue Oct 19, 2010 12:30 pm

Matt, I'll turn 43 tomorrow I had an ASCT in Feb. I chose to use Revlimid for a maintance. We'll see how it works in the long run. I went to a multiple myeloma seminsr in Portland early the year and the early results were positive for rv maintance but you are correct about the actual ovrall effectiveness.

All the best to you

Mike Benson