Hi Dollydream. I’ve been on Lenalidomide and Dex for eight months (as a second line treatment) and agree with everything Debs has said. It has pushed my ‘numbers’ in the right directions and kept them there, and the fact that this is done at home, in tablet form rather than having to attend hospital for hours each time, is wonderfully liberating.
You say you are concerned about side effects; to be honest, I have had several, but they have all been small, manageable and worth it for the positive effects of the medications. Hand and feet cramps are not uncommon, but have been infrequent for me. A quick application of a hot water bottle gets rid of this fairly quickly. Fatigue is an ongoing factor, but it is hard to tell whether this is due to the meds or the myeloma. I have also picked up one or two little infections, but they have been easily treated with antibiotics. I am generally a bit achy and slower than I used to be, but then again, I’m getting older! In general, I find Lenalidomide to be a gentler treatment than my first line of treatment (Velcade).
I have found that the key is to turn into something close to a hypochondriac; any new pain or concern, no matter how small, gets relayed to the haematology team in case it is something they need to address. Remember, they can and will alter doses and frequency of medications if they feel it will help.
Please don’t worry too much about the side effects. Keep your team informed and, if your husband responds anything like I have, any side effects will be mild and manageable.
