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Weekly polls of the Myeloma Beacon's readers on topics related to multiple myeloma. A new polls is posted every Wednesday.

What phase of treatment are you in for multiple myeloma, smoldering myeloma, or MGUS?

Poll ended at Wed Sep 26, 2012 9:55 am

I have not yet begun treatment
28
20%
I am undergoing my first induction therapy
8
6%
I am about to undergo or just completed stem cell collection
7
5%
I am receiving or just completed high-dose chemotherapy in preparation for a stem cell transplant
3
2%
I recently underwent a stem cell transplant and am now in the recovery phase
17
12%
I am undergoing consolidation therapy
2
1%
I am receiving maintenance therapy
43
30%
I am between treatment regimens right now
26
18%
I am undergoing salvage therapy because I relapsed or am resistant to my last therapy
7
5%
I have decided not to receive any further treatment
0
No votes
 
Total votes : 141

Weekly Poll - Phase Of Treatment

by Beacon Staff on Wed Sep 19, 2012 9:55 am

This week’s poll is about the phase of treatment you are currently undergoing.

A few clarifications:

First, this poll is open to all multiple myeloma, smoldering myeloma, and monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS) patients or their family members. If you are a caregiver or family member of a patient, feel free to answer on their behalf.

Second, please choose the option that is most applicable.

As always, feel free to post comments, thoughts, or feedback in the space below. They can be very useful to other readers.

Beacon Staff

Re: Weekly Poll - Phase Of Treatment

by Art on Wed Sep 19, 2012 11:23 am

I have SMM. Was Diagnosed almost a year ago at. 40 y.o. Taking part in Natural Progression Study at NIH. They would love for me to do the CRD trial for SMM but that's not for me. I like the watch and wait approach.best wishes to All!!
Art

Art
Name: Art
Who do you know with myeloma?: Self
When were you/they diagnosed?: 12/2011
Age at diagnosis: 40

Re: Weekly Poll - Phase Of Treatment

by Jackie on Wed Sep 19, 2012 12:04 pm

Hi I was diagnosed in may of this year started rev, dex, Velcade. I have completed 4 months of treatment, but only 1session was a complete 2week regime, due to issues. I just started again, and my numbers are way down. My initial igg level was 10,900 now at 1,460. My doc says he is almost ready to call Stanford for stem cell transplant. I am nervous about the non existence of fighting off any infections and the 5 to7 days of being super sick.

Jackie
Name: Jackie
Who do you know with myeloma?: Myself
When were you/they diagnosed?: April 2012
Age at diagnosis: 56

Re: Weekly Poll - Phase Of Treatment

by justme on Wed Sep 19, 2012 12:41 pm

Diagnoised in '05, transplant in '06, recently relapsed. Hope to be starting the third cycle of clinical trial MLN 9708 on Friday. The first cycle went well, second cycle wiped out my platelets and neutrophils so I wasn't able to complete that cycle. Each of you remains on my prayer list. Counting my blessings.

justme
Who do you know with myeloma?: Me
When were you/they diagnosed?: December 2005
Age at diagnosis: 56

Re: Weekly Poll - Phase Of Treatment

by KDay on Wed Sep 19, 2012 3:19 pm

It would seem that you have missed an option in the choices.

" completed stem cell capture am in remission and and have not preceded with Stenm cell transplant". This option of waiting until the cancer becomes active again before going through the process of stem cell transplant has been discussed but doesn't seem to be an option that is regarded as common practice. With the advent of the new drugs, many physicians are suggesting that the treatment options may be just as effective as the transplant option.

KDay

Re: Weekly Poll - Phase Of Treatment

by Beacon Staff on Wed Sep 19, 2012 3:33 pm

Hi KDay,

If you haven't voted already, feel free to pick whichever option seems most appropriate for you. It sounds like this one may be right for you: I am between treatment regimens right now.

Beacon Staff

Re: Weekly Poll - Phase Of Treatment

by Lin on Wed Sep 19, 2012 6:52 pm

Hi KDay,
Has any oncologist mentioned that you could go on manintenace at this point? It might delay the time of relapse. If you take Revlimid as maintenance without having had the transplant the likelihood of a scenond cancer seems drematically reduced.
Best of Luck
Lin

Lin

Re: Weekly Poll - Phase Of Treatment

by dianem on Fri Sep 21, 2012 2:33 pm

Hi - I noticed this poll focused on phase of treatment for multiple myeloma, SM, and MGUS. Are there any new treatments for MGUS? I was diagnosed this winter with MGUS (Chrom 7, Ig) and it appears that 'watch and wait' along with a blood test every six months is what my doctor recommended. And, it sure appears that many with MGUS also have an autoimmune disease. Does that put one in a risk group for MGUS? Thanks, Diane

dianem

Re: Weekly Poll - Phase Of Treatment

by Beacon Staff on Fri Sep 21, 2012 3:14 pm

Hi Diane,

The standard of care for MGUS, and often for smoldering myeloma too, is to watch and wait. Most MGUS and smoldering myeloma patients are likely to select "I have not yet begun treatment."

A recent study showed that MGUS patients are at a higher risk of developing infections, which the study investigators said may be due to an underlying condition, such as an autoimmune disease:
https://myelomabeacon.org/news/2012/02/22/myeloma-precursor-disease-mgus-may-increase-risk-of-developing-infections/

Beacon Staff

Re: Weekly Poll - Phase Of Treatment

by terryl1 on Fri Sep 21, 2012 4:23 pm

I am pretty much in KDay's ballpark. This week I just completed stem cell collection at the NIH. It went well for me except for the bone pain caused by the Neupogen.The cells will be stored for the proverbial rainy day one hopes never comes. I am in the CRD trial there for newly diagnosed which is 8 cycles of CRD and 12 cycles of low dose Revlimid w/o SCT. The CRD worked super quickly....just hope it lasts a long time.

terryl1
Name: Terry
Who do you know with myeloma?: self
When were you/they diagnosed?: August 10, 2011
Age at diagnosis: 49

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