[ANF921]

Velcade-Revlimid-dexamethasone (VRD/RVD) experiences?

by ANF921 on Sun Sep 25, 2016 2:23 pm

Greetings!

After being diagnosed with smoldering myeloma in the spring, I was diagnosed with stage one multiple myeloma this week.

I will begin the Velcade, Revlimid, and dexamethasone (VRD) treatment regimen for 4 months, followed by a stem cell transplant. My doctor said that the VRD regimen is well tolerated, but the stem cell transplant will be rough.

I would love to hear how others experienced the Velcade, Revlimid, and dexamethasone treat­ment. I know each individual is different, but I think that hearing other people's stories would make me feel a little better prepared.

Thank you!

[JohnBoy5456]

Re: Velcade-Revlimid-dexamethasone (VRD/RVD) experiences?

by JohnBoy5456 on Sun Sep 25, 2016 4:57 pm

Hi ANF 921,

Best of luck with your treatment! Sounds like they caught it early! Please search all my posts to get an idea of treatment with Revlimid, Velcade, and dexamethasone (RVD).

Any questions we will try to answer!

[moonscape]

Re: Velcade-Revlimid-dexamethasone (VRD/RVD) experiences?

by moonscape on Sun Sep 25, 2016 5:28 pm

I tolerated the treatment pretty well. I did get diarrhea after a couple weeks that lasted the 6 months of treatment, and around the 4th cycle significant fatigue. But I had no rashes, fevers, and even the fatigue didn't start until you'd be wrapping up treatment.

All things considered it was easy. I was on 25 mg Revlimid 14 days on / 7 days off, and the dex was reduced to 20 mg / week (hated dex, a common sentiment) about week 5. The worst part was the dex at 40 mg, and even at 20 the sleep disturbance was difficult. I think the cumulative roller coaster of the dex was a major contributor to my later regular fatigue.

[TerryH]

Re: Velcade-Revlimid-dexamethasone (VRD/RVD) experiences?

by TerryH on Sun Sep 25, 2016 5:52 pm

Hi Anastasia,

You've probably already noticed that RVD / VRD is a really common treatment regimen for newly diagnosed patients in the U.S., so there are a lot of posts here in the forum that are about what aspect or another of the regimen.

One forum member (K_Shash) documented a lot of his treatment experience in this thread:

"K_Shash's RVD induction therapy experience" (started December 2014)

You can find other posts about the regimen – and the drugs that are part of the regimen – by checking out this posting which is always at the top of the Treatments & Side Effects section of the forum.

What exactly will be the dosing of the Revlimid, Velcade, and dex that you'll be getting, and how often will you be taking (or getting) each of the drugs?