Husband is currently in hospital undergoing VRR-PACE. So far he is tolerating it fairly well, which we are happy about. However, the nurses tell us he really will not feel the full effects of it until about a week or so after completion of this round. Those statements have us somewhat perturbed, to say the least.
We are aware that he will more than likely lose his hair, but what are some of the other things we could very possibly expect to see in regards to side effects in the upcoming 1-2 weeks after he gets home from the hospital?
So for anyone who has undergone this treatment, would you be willing to share your experience?
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Melanie - Name: Melanie
- Who do you know with myeloma?: husband
- When were you/they diagnosed?: July 2014
- Age at diagnosis: 54
Re: VRD-PACE / VDT-PACE - experiences?
Melanie,
I hope your husband does well by this treatment. This link with comments by Dr. Voorhees may provide some insights:
https://myelomabeacon.org/forum/starting-treatment-vtd-pace-plus-vrd-t1241.html
I hope your husband does well by this treatment. This link with comments by Dr. Voorhees may provide some insights:
https://myelomabeacon.org/forum/starting-treatment-vtd-pace-plus-vrd-t1241.html
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Multibilly - Name: Multibilly
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Me
- When were you/they diagnosed?: Smoldering, Nov, 2012
Re: VRD-PACE / VDT-PACE - experiences?
Also, ask the nurses or doctors for specifics of what may occur. You do want to be prepared for anything that may develop. Hopefully your husband's discharge papers will spell out what to look for and how to respond in some detail, but it's nice to know sooner especially when that comment was made to you.
All the best to your husband in going through this treatment,
Nancy in Phila
All the best to your husband in going through this treatment,
Nancy in Phila
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NStewart - Name: Nancy Stewart
- Who do you know with myeloma?: self
- When were you/they diagnosed?: 3/08
- Age at diagnosis: 60
Re: VRD-PACE / VDT-PACE - experiences?
I had VD-PACE back in September and wrote a few things in this forum. My experience is probably a bit different as this was the final chemo for me before stem cell transplant. So I started injections of Neupogen immediately after the VD-PACE, which complicates the picture a bit.
I do remember the feeling of nausea lasted for a few days and was quite well controlled by Zofran. The hyper feeling caused by dex went away within a day or so of stopping dex. My hair started to go about 2 weeks later and has just started showing signs of regrowing!
Overall, VD-PACE was relatively benign for me and I'm glad I did it as an outpatient. But, we're all different ...
I do remember the feeling of nausea lasted for a few days and was quite well controlled by Zofran. The hyper feeling caused by dex went away within a day or so of stopping dex. My hair started to go about 2 weeks later and has just started showing signs of regrowing!
Overall, VD-PACE was relatively benign for me and I'm glad I did it as an outpatient. But, we're all different ...
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Villa fan - Name: Paul Gater
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Me
- When were you/they diagnosed?: February 2014
- Age at diagnosis: 56
Re: VRD-PACE / VDT-PACE - experiences?
the treatment just about killed me! I was one of the unfortunate minority for ths regimen.
I got the treatments in hospital Monday to Friday and the next Tuesday was headed to ER with 102.5 temperature! a couple of days in the hospital and I was rushed to ICU with breathing issues among other problems. Three weeks later I got to come home - I just hope and pray that the treatment shocked my system for the better. initial discussion with my doc is that I will probably try the duratumabib (SP?) as my next option. Definately not going back to the VD-PACE...I have a frig full of neupegin shots however!
I got the treatments in hospital Monday to Friday and the next Tuesday was headed to ER with 102.5 temperature! a couple of days in the hospital and I was rushed to ICU with breathing issues among other problems. Three weeks later I got to come home - I just hope and pray that the treatment shocked my system for the better. initial discussion with my doc is that I will probably try the duratumabib (SP?) as my next option. Definately not going back to the VD-PACE...I have a frig full of neupegin shots however!
Re: VRD-PACE / VDT-PACE - experiences?
I had VRD-PACE prior to auto stem cell transplantation (SCT). Side effects during treatment were completely handled with meds. I ate three meals every day and walked a mile or so in the hall. Piece of cake.
However, the treatment did nothing to reduce the M-spike. No change at all. An autologous stem cell transplant reduced my M-spike just a bit. The combination was ineffective.
Unfortunately, doxorubicin can cause "permanent and progressive damage to the heart"; the result is cardiomyopathy leading to heart failure and death. This is well known in the cardiologist world since they deal with the results.
At six months post stem cell transplant, I can barely walk around the block.
Hope your experience was better. Not everyone gets the heart damage, but it is a very real risk.
There is a good reason Mayo does not use this treatment ever.
I hope by writing that someone will be spared the disaster that can come from this treatment.
However, the treatment did nothing to reduce the M-spike. No change at all. An autologous stem cell transplant reduced my M-spike just a bit. The combination was ineffective.
Unfortunately, doxorubicin can cause "permanent and progressive damage to the heart"; the result is cardiomyopathy leading to heart failure and death. This is well known in the cardiologist world since they deal with the results.
At six months post stem cell transplant, I can barely walk around the block.
Hope your experience was better. Not everyone gets the heart damage, but it is a very real risk.
There is a good reason Mayo does not use this treatment ever.
I hope by writing that someone will be spared the disaster that can come from this treatment.
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faithoverfear - Who do you know with myeloma?: me
- When were you/they diagnosed?: Sept 2014
- Age at diagnosis: 63
Re: VRD-PACE / VDT-PACE - experiences?
One year anniversary update, and why you want to avoid PACE.
Most of the side effects from VRD-PACE and my autologous stem cell transplant have worn off. The most troubling problem has been traced to a blockage in a heart blood vessel. This was a big surprise. I had multiple MRIs prior to treatment as part of a data gathering exercise. Every test came back saying that my heart was in great shape.
I stumbled onto an article that explained that "lipid peroxidation" is a dangerous side effect of doxorubicin, one of the PACE pieces
"Lipid peroxidation is the oxidative degradation of lipids. It is the process in which free radicals "steal" electrons from the lipids in cell membranes, resulting in cell damage."
I'm hoping a stent will restore my heart function so I can resume bike riding, playing tennis, skiing, snow shoeing, ocean swimming, mountain hiking. As you can see, I was in great shape before myeloma. I blame doxorubicin for reducing my athletic capacity by 80%.
Most of the side effects from VRD-PACE and my autologous stem cell transplant have worn off. The most troubling problem has been traced to a blockage in a heart blood vessel. This was a big surprise. I had multiple MRIs prior to treatment as part of a data gathering exercise. Every test came back saying that my heart was in great shape.
I stumbled onto an article that explained that "lipid peroxidation" is a dangerous side effect of doxorubicin, one of the PACE pieces
"Lipid peroxidation is the oxidative degradation of lipids. It is the process in which free radicals "steal" electrons from the lipids in cell membranes, resulting in cell damage."
I'm hoping a stent will restore my heart function so I can resume bike riding, playing tennis, skiing, snow shoeing, ocean swimming, mountain hiking. As you can see, I was in great shape before myeloma. I blame doxorubicin for reducing my athletic capacity by 80%.
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faithoverfear - Who do you know with myeloma?: me
- When were you/they diagnosed?: Sept 2014
- Age at diagnosis: 63
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