[Castaway]

Do Velcade & Revlimid affect dex side effects differently?

by Castaway on Thu Oct 30, 2014 12:20 pm

After starting Velcade (days 1, 4, 8 and 11 with 10 off) and dexamethasone (two cycles), I have noticed that when I take my dex on Fridays, I feel a little different than when I was taking Revlimid (25 mg 21 days on, 7 off) with dex.

When I took it with Revlimid, I didn't feel wound up until about 8 hours or more later. I really felt wound up at that point. When it wore off, I would kind of come off of that energy blast slowly. Now with the Velcade, I seem to have a minimal energy feeling come on in a few hours slowly building up, but when it wears off, it's like right now. Then I am thrashed for the day. It's almost reverse of what the Revlimid / dex felt like.

I love my morning coffee but I don't drink any the day I take the dex. I try to avoid any possible sugary things and drink a lot of water. Maybe I should avoid coffee and anything with sugar the day before also. I take the dex in the morning.

My question would be: Does Revlimid vs Velcade create some sort of different effects on how they react with dex, possibly changing how the dex side effects occur?

Castaway

[jsszalay]

Re: Do Velcade & Revlimid affect dex side effects differentl

by jsszalay on Thu Nov 27, 2014 12:48 pm

It appears everyone's treatment is different. My treatment for 3 years has been 5 mg of Revlimid (the higher doses caused a severe rash) on 21 days and Velcade sq monthly along with 8 mg of dex on shot days. I also receive Zometa monthly.

I am going for my 6-month check up in February and expect to be taken off all meds. My numbers have been really low. My local oncologist says if she was in charge of my treatment I would already be off and says my numbers show no myeloma! However, she understands the 3-year trial run. Only side effect I've had is mild neuropathy. I am tired on the day I get Velcade and Zometa and take 8 mg of dex. That's also the first day of 21-day cycle of the Revlimid.

It appears myeloma is like fingerprints. No 2 symptoms, numbers, or treatment are alike.

Hope this helps.

[Castaway]

Re: Do Velcade & Revlimid affect dex side effects differentl

by Castaway on Fri Nov 28, 2014 11:26 am

Thanks for the reply. I also had a very bad rash with 25 mg Revlimid and dex. Now it's subQ Velcade with the dexamethasone 40 mg once per week. Also just started Zometa. The Velcade is working very well. You are probably correct saying that this myeloma is like a fingerprint.

Just curious -- Did you have a cell harvest and transplant?

Thanks for your input.

Castaway