[jdg]

Re: Velcade via infusion or subcutaneous injection

by jdg on Tue May 24, 2011 10:59 am

My husband has been receiving Velcade injections without any problems. He's had multiple myeloma for 5 1/2 years and his M protein has started to slowly creep up again so the doctor is switching to Velcade IV and adding Cytoxan along with Prednisone to his treatment. While he was on the Velcade via injections he would get a dry area of skin where the injection was administered. He is being treated at the Cleveland Clinic and they've been using the injections since at least the first of the year. We went for a second opinion at MD Anderson earlier this year (they did his SCT) and at that time they were not yet giving the Velcade injections only IV.

[drsites@sbcglobal.net]

Re: Velcade via infusion or subcutaneous injection

by drsites@sbcglobal.net on Tue Jul 26, 2011 8:46 am

Susan,

Check again with UAMS MIRT. I was treated there as well and have just completed one year of maintenance. In June the protocol changed to subq Velcade. They can rewrite your orders and fax them to your clinic so you can get your Velcade. Please don't stop now as you've come too far in this extended process! We are going for the long term! Yes, I have had the red spots too at the sight of injection, but am anxiously awaiting an improvement in my neuropathy, and I believe that will come soon. I am not switching back to IV until I return to MIRT next month to talk things over with the doctor there. Good luck!

Cindy

[Bimmster]

Re: Velcade via infusion or subcutaneous injection

by Bimmster on Fri Jun 22, 2012 12:13 pm

I am nearing my third year of maintenance therapy for Multiple Myeloma and was placed on SubQ Velcade for the last five injections. We have tried "slow push, air, ice, alternating sides" and still have had a red oval rash approximately 1.5"x2.0" each time. it is a red, raised, itchy patch lasting one to two weeks each. The itching seems to be less when the injection is given more to the sides away from the naval. I will put up with this instead of going back to IV as I have noticed the Neuropathy symptoms decreasing. I was diagnosed in March of 2008 at MD Anderson after suffering a broken arm and having them do a major repair surgery, but chose to have my treatment at UAMS in Little Rock. I have been on Velcade from the first four injections at the start of treatment, through twice a week for two years, to once a week for the final third year of maintenance therapy. I may also be participating in a long term Low Dose Thalidomide Study.

[patience]

Re: Velcade via infusion or subcutaneous injection

by patience on Thu Jul 12, 2012 2:08 pm

Hi,

I am new to this forum and trying to understand the different options available for treatment.
Does anyone know how the Velcade dose is determined for an individual patient and if the dosing is different for subcutaneous versus intravenous? I appreciate any help with my questions.

Thank you

[Cindylou]

Re: Velcade via infusion or subcutaneous injection

by Cindylou on Thu Jul 12, 2012 2:52 pm

The most common starting dose of Velcade is 1.3 mg/m2, sometimes 1.0, depending on what its being given in combination with or if your having side effects.
Here's an interesting site that lets you put in your height, weight, age, etc and it'll calculate your body surface area (m2). You can also enter the dose (1.3 mg/m2) and it'll calculate the total amount of the drug you should get. http://www.halls.md/body-surface-area/bsa.htm

The Velcade dose should be the same whether given subcutaneously or intravenously, but the amount of solution is different, I think less, for subcutaneous. https://myelomabeacon.org/news/2012/01/25/questions-and-answers-about-the-fda-approval-of-subcutaneous-velcade-bortezomib/

[patience]

Re: Velcade via infusion or subcutaneous injection

by patience on Thu Jul 12, 2012 4:26 pm

Hi Cindy Lou,

Thank you so much. I have been searching and could not find this information. I have so many questions and this i where I need to start.

Patience

[ktyhall]

Re: Velcade via infusion or subcutaneous injection

by ktyhall on Mon Sep 24, 2012 8:31 pm

I have been on Velcade for relapsed Myeloma since April 2012, was receiving it IV until this last cycle at which point they changed it to Sub Q. It was recentely approved for use here in Alberta, Canada, and will now be the targeted approach. The dosage I get is 2.4 and they must separate it into two syringes as the dosage is too high for one injection site, so that means in each cycle I receive 8 injections, thats alot of swollen, painful sites! ......a concern all on its own. I have experienced more gastro side effects, nausea etc, as well swelling, painful red injection sites than I have ever experienced with IV infusion. Neuropathy the same, will continue to monitor as I dont believe all the results will be known for any of us who have started on Sub Q for awhile. I am skeptical about Velcade being injected under the skin when for years there was such caution about injection sites using IV, from administration of the drug, to preparations. The swollen, ulcer type marks that appear after sub Q testify to the fact that it is infact a concern in my opinion. It does, however make it much easier for the nurses!
I have had Multiple Myeloma for 10 years and have done various treatments including stem cell transplant,. I have had success with IV Velcade going into CR for 2 1/2 years without any manintenance.

[Eric Hofacket]

Re: Velcade via infusion or subcutaneous injection

by Eric Hofacket on Mon Sep 24, 2012 9:03 pm

My healthcare provider, Kaiser Permanente, switched to sub-q Velcade administration some months ago near the beginning of the year shortly after the FDA approved it. This was after I had completed my cycles though so I never received it sub-q.
The night I received my first Velcade infusion, I experienced a strong tingling-vibrating sensation across my entire chest, face and down my arms as I tried to sleep. It was like the same sensation you get when your hand when using an electric sander or from vibrating motorcycle handle bars. It was not painful in anyway. It only happened that first night and when I told the nurses about it at my next Velcade infusion they said they had never heard of anything like that happening before.

[casey86]

Re: Velcade via infusion or subcutaneous injection

by casey86 on Fri Nov 02, 2012 6:37 pm

Hello I have been recieving Velcade subq for almost 3 months now I do still have the numbness and tingling but I find I don't get the pain with it.. it also a great alternative for someone like me who has horrible viens. Doing it this way has allowed me to avoid getting a port put in. I get a lot of redness where they give me the shot then the next day it is usually bruised. But nothing painful.I get the Velcade subq twice a week for 2 weeks along with Revlimid and dex then I have a week off. This combination had dropped my igg from 2146 to 803 after 1 cycle and after my second cycle it was down to 662. I'm in my second week of my third cycle now. I would suggest the subq method very highly.