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What to expect during treatment?
I was just diagnosed in January 2016 at the age of 65. I have not started treatment yet, I am scared. I don't know what to expect when starting the drugs. How am I going to feel? How will it change my life? What is it like going through the stem cell transplant?
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lucyq
Re: What to expect during treatment?
There is a treatment/side effects section in the forum. In that section of the forum, there is lots of talk about the different side effects of different myeloma medications and combinations of medications; common medications used against myeloma are dexamethasone, Velcade (bortezomib), Revlimid (lenalidomide), cyclophosphamide (Cytoxan), thalidomide and others, and combinations of these aforementioned medications:
https://myelomabeacon.org/forum/treatments-side-effects.html
https://myelomabeacon.org/forum/treatments-side-effects.html
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Little Monkey - Name: Little Monkey
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Father-stage 1 multiple myeloma
- When were you/they diagnosed?: March/April of 2015
Re: What to expect during treatment?
Hi Lucy,
Welcome to the forum. I'm sorry you have to be here, but you've found a very supportive and helpful community. I think you'll find it will make a big difference to you as you go forward with your treatment and, hopefully, very, VERY, long remission.
As Little Monkey has suggested, you'll find a lot about the different treatments in the "Treatments & Side Effects" section of the forum. This posting, in particular, will help you find discussions about specific treatments and side effects:
"Useful links to existing forum discussions"
The posting is always at the top of the "Treatments & Side Effects" section of the forum.
If you let us know what treatments you'll be receiving initially, we can give you more feedback about what to expect.
Always remember that, although the treatments do have side effects, the disease itself is much, much worse if left untreated.
Take care,
Cheryl
Welcome to the forum. I'm sorry you have to be here, but you've found a very supportive and helpful community. I think you'll find it will make a big difference to you as you go forward with your treatment and, hopefully, very, VERY, long remission.
As Little Monkey has suggested, you'll find a lot about the different treatments in the "Treatments & Side Effects" section of the forum. This posting, in particular, will help you find discussions about specific treatments and side effects:
"Useful links to existing forum discussions"
The posting is always at the top of the "Treatments & Side Effects" section of the forum.
If you let us know what treatments you'll be receiving initially, we can give you more feedback about what to expect.
Always remember that, although the treatments do have side effects, the disease itself is much, much worse if left untreated.
Take care,
Cheryl
Re: What to expect during treatment?
Some of my thoughts:
If you are seeing a hematologist/oncologist, you must also see a myeloma specialist. Your hem/onc may say it is not necessary - it is. Unless they see 100 myeloma patients per year, you need to see a specialist.
My husband, 48, was diagnosed May 2015. His induction treatment was Revlimid, Velcade, and dexamethasone (RVD) - a very common treatment for those who are not high risk.
My husband tolerated the Revlimid and dex fine. Didn't seem to have the sleepless nights many describe with dex. He did get peripheral neuropathy with the Velcade. His legs will ache and he will feel weak. He was close to the end of his treatment before he experienced this side effect. It has gotten better. But know peripheral neuropathy is common with Velcade.
This disease is very individualized and so may be your experience with the drugs.
Wishing you the best!
If you are seeing a hematologist/oncologist, you must also see a myeloma specialist. Your hem/onc may say it is not necessary - it is. Unless they see 100 myeloma patients per year, you need to see a specialist.
My husband, 48, was diagnosed May 2015. His induction treatment was Revlimid, Velcade, and dexamethasone (RVD) - a very common treatment for those who are not high risk.
My husband tolerated the Revlimid and dex fine. Didn't seem to have the sleepless nights many describe with dex. He did get peripheral neuropathy with the Velcade. His legs will ache and he will feel weak. He was close to the end of his treatment before he experienced this side effect. It has gotten better. But know peripheral neuropathy is common with Velcade.
This disease is very individualized and so may be your experience with the drugs.
Wishing you the best!
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