This poll question is one of four that we are running for several weeks, asking Beacon readers how many cycles of treatment they had with different initial treatment regimens.
This specific poll question should be answered by readers who were treated with the two-drug combination of Revlimid and dexamethasone (Rd, RD) as their initial (induction) therapy after being diagnosed with multiple myeloma.
The other three polls being conducted right now are similar, but are for readers whose initial treatment regimen was either Velcade-dexamethasone (Vd), Revlimid-Velcade-dexamethasone (RVD, VRD), or Velcade-cyclosphosphamide (Cytoxan)-dexamethasone (VCD, CyBorD).
A few clarifications:
First, please answer this poll question only if your initial therapy after diagnosis included only Revlimid and dex as anti-myeloma agents. If your regimen also included Velcade, please respond to the poll for that three-drug regimen.
If your regimen included something other than Velcade in addition to Revlimid and dex, or if it included only Revlimid (without dex), we're afraid that we don't have a poll question for you at this time.
Note that, for the purpose of this poll, we are not counting bisphosphonates, such as Aredia (pamidronate) and Zometa (zoledronic acid), as "anti-myeloma therapies". Thus, you are still welcome to answer this poll question if, for example, you were put on a regimen of Revlimid and dex plus regular Zometa infusions after your initial diagnosis.
Second, this question is about your initial (induction) therapy after diagnosis. Please do not answer the question if you received Revlimid and dex as treatment after relapse, or as maintenance therapy after a stem cell transplant.
Third, if you are a caregiver or family member of a multiple myeloma patient, feel free to answer on their behalf.
Fourth, if your initial therapy was constant treatment with Revlimid and dex, taking the Revlimid every day with no interruption, then please use the number of months you were on the treatment as the number of cycles you were on the treatment.
Fifth, if you have the time, please post as a comment on the poll why you received as many cycles of Revlimid-dex as you did.
For example, was the number of cycles you received set in advance -- that is, did you and your doctors decide ahead of time that you would receive, say, six cycles of the regimen? Or was the number of cycles determined by how you responded to the treatment, or perhaps by the side effects you experienced?
These comments will be very helpful to other Beacon readers.
As always, we appreciate your responding to the Beacon's poll questions. The polls are another way that The Beacon seeks to provide valuable information and support to its readers, so your participation in the polls helps us in this important effort.
Forums
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Re: Weekly Poll - Cycles Of Initial Therapy - Rd/RD - 2014
I only lasted three cycles of Revlimid-dex due to high blood glucose levels that the addition of Insulin would not bring down. (I have Type 2 diabetes.)
When dex was stopped, my blood glucose levels returned to "normal".
I have continued on with Revlimid into my second week of cycle five with no further problems.
Roger
When dex was stopped, my blood glucose levels returned to "normal".
I have continued on with Revlimid into my second week of cycle five with no further problems.
Roger
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Rvwoodin - Name: Roger
- Who do you know with myeloma?: self
- When were you/they diagnosed?: May2012 - SMM, multiple myeloma=Dec2013
- Age at diagnosis: 67
Re: Weekly Poll - Cycles Of Initial Therapy - Rd/RD - 2014
I have been on Revlimid & dexamethasone for four cycles. 25 mg 21 days on with 7 days off. Dex 40 mg once per week. I go to my oncologist tomorrow for a report on the lab results. So far so good. Protein level cut in half after first round. I will probably be on this treatment for some time.
The only issues that I have had was the first round, I had a rash on my neck and it started to get to the side of my face. My doctor had me take some Allegra [fexofenadine] Allergy tabs (2 180mg tabs) and use Aveeno Healing ointment. Within three days it was almost gone.
The dexamethasone for some folks is not good. I have some cramps in my fingers. They will want to close for a few seconds. It only happens the day after taking the dex. Also I seem to be full of energy. So I either go for long walks or ride my bike.
I take my Revlimid in the evening around 9:30 because it really puts me to sleep. The dexamethasone I take in the morning due to it gets me wound up.
The only issues that I have had was the first round, I had a rash on my neck and it started to get to the side of my face. My doctor had me take some Allegra [fexofenadine] Allergy tabs (2 180mg tabs) and use Aveeno Healing ointment. Within three days it was almost gone.
The dexamethasone for some folks is not good. I have some cramps in my fingers. They will want to close for a few seconds. It only happens the day after taking the dex. Also I seem to be full of energy. So I either go for long walks or ride my bike.
I take my Revlimid in the evening around 9:30 because it really puts me to sleep. The dexamethasone I take in the morning due to it gets me wound up.
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Castaway - Name: George
- Who do you know with myeloma?: just myself
- When were you/they diagnosed?: 1/24/14
- Age at diagnosis: 62
Re: Weekly Poll - Cycles Of Initial Therapy - Rd/RD - 2014
I have been on Revlimid 25 and dex 20 for two months. I have lambda light chain only. Numbers went from 4493 down to 3129 after 6 weeks, but were back up to 3754 two weeks later. We will be adding Velcade now.
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PegB
4 posts
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