[KeithH17Participant]

Oh Gaye,I can forgive the fact that you called me old but NEVER a Geordie.
I was born 13,miles south of the Tyne and that makes me a Makem and proud of it.
And I will be giving my team Sunderland all the support I can muster for the Derby on Sunday against the Geordies of Newcastle.

But I'll forgive you on this occaision lol.

Anyway had the first one of many today with the next being on Monday.
I'll be keeping an eye on the side effects and will keep you all posted.

Hope your new treatment works well for you…have you got it yet?

Take care of yourself…..Keith.

[KeithH17Participant]

Hi Min,yes I've had the first one today so the ball is now firmly in play.
When you say second dose don't you mean second cycle.
Also now the fact the Velcade no-longer works(did it ever work)what is next down the line for Peter's next treatment?

Thank-you for your helpful replies.

Keith.

[KeithH17Participant]

Hi Bridget,I don't mind at all the more replies the better.
I start my treatment 14/01/11 at 13.30.
Constipation was the main problem I had with VAD but sennacot sorted it and I'm well stocked up and prepared this time.

I'll keep you informed on my progress and thank's again.

Keith.

[KeithH17Participant]

Hi Gaye,I know I've said this before but your attitude to the Myeloma challenge is second to none.
I know I get inspiration from you and no doubt so do many others.
Right that's the patronising bit over lol,and now a question.
When you were on Velcade did your Platelet levels drop and if so did you have any transfusions?
The Consultant told me that this is a common problem with Velcade along with PN.

Also how was your treatment administered?
Mine will be given at the Hospital through a drip and the Dex taken at home
as far I am aware.
I will be going onto Zometa once a month instead of Bonefos which I take at the moment.

Thank's Gaye MM will never meet a tougher adversary….

Keith.

[KeithH17Participant]

Hello Gaye,just read your post and hope everything goes well for you.
This question of pain and the way it is approached by different doctors beggars belief.

I have relapsed after 2yrs 8mths and have terrible pain in my ribs and left shoulder blade for the last 10,weeks.

My proteins are at 7 and the BMB showed the MM has become active again.

I start Velcade with Dex on Friday but no RT which I thought I would get.
I was told that the Skeletal only had slight changes from the last one and no further bone fractures but there were some new lesions.

Maybe the Velcade will take of this so RT is'nt needed?

Does that make sense to you gaye?

I would say that the pain has eased a little over the last 2,weeks without any treatment so RT may not be needed this time.

The other thing is I have'nt had an MRI this time.

Take care…..Keith.

[KeithH17Participant]

Hello everyone,It's going to be 8,cycles of Velcade+good old Dex.
I start it all this Friday 13.30 a whole new journey in my treatment.

At the end of it a second SCT if all goes well.

Doc said apart from the MM my kidney/liver function are all ok.
Even my blood calcium levels are also fine but the MM is active in the Bonemarrow and without treatment Protein levels would eventualy start to rise with all the problems that go with that.

Velcade is a more targeted therapy which singles out the Myeloma cells in particular and not so much the healthy ones in the Marrow therefore reducing the worse of the side effects(I hope).

Good health to all..Keith.

[KeithH17Participant]

Hi Gill,I was going to start a new thread on Velcade but I might as well just tag on to yours.
I saw the Doc today and start Velcade/Dex on friday.
I had Dex with my first-line treatment(40mil on each of the 4 days in the cycle) and had no real problem with it apart from wanting to eat for England.

I am also starting on Zometa instead of the Bonefos I currently take and all of this will be given by infusion at my local Hospital.

I've been told there will be 8,cycles of Velcade and providing it works ok a second SCT at the end of it all.

Looks like our situations are of a very similar nature so we'll have to compare notes ongoing.

My own first treatment was VAD through a Hickman line + oral Dex for a planned 6,cycles of which I only needed to complete 4 with my Transplant in May 2008 and 2.5 yrs remission.

What was your first treatment?

Best of luck…Keith.

[KeithH17Participant]

Hi Roz,I really appreciate your kind words,taking the time to write your post after everything you've had to go through takes a very special person.

I have always read your posts with the hope that things would take a turn for the better with regard to Michael's Myeloma problems.

You both had a really tough time and deserved much better from the outcome.

God Bless you and your family.

Keith.

[KeithH17Participant]

Hi Bridget, I had Radiotherapy to my Spine/neck and collarbone after first being diagnosed to repair fractures and a collapsed vertabrae.
It was'nt too bad,only problem for me was difficulty in swallowing and the skin became very red but all of this only lasted 3 days.

It was around 6-8 weeks before I felt the benefit of the treatment with the pain gradually subsiding.

When I go to see the doc tomorrow I'm half expecting him to recomend me for another bout to try to get rid of this awful pain in my ribs.

Then it's most likely going to be Velcade or maybe Revlimid?

I can't help thinking that a much more targeted therapy is just around the corner without all the horrible side-effects so here's hoping.

Take care Bridget.

Keith.

[KeithH17Participant]

Thank's girls your thoughts are much appreciated.
I'm getting ready for round 2 as I like to call it.
Treatment is due to start on Tues after Monday's consultation.
The Doctor said he wanted to discuss at least 2 treatment options with me before deciding which way to go.
I can't really complain as I've had over 2 years of mainly good health and
knew it was only a matter of time before the ticking timebomb went off.
When I've been to Hospital on Mon I'll post the latest news for you all.

I thank all you lovely people once again and hope you all stay well.

Keith.

[KeithH17Participant]

Hi Dave…No can't be a bad hair week as I don't have any LOL.
I shave mine off anyway so the Chemo was no problem for me in that respect.
Yeah 2.8 is quite a good remission period but we always want more don't we?
I was really quite ill after the Melphalan and don't look forward to that scenario allover again but if the needs must…..
When you are dealt this rotten hand of cards you can only play it best way you can.

Best of Luck on the 11th.

Keith.

[KeithH17Participant]

Hi Tom,to briefly answer your question yes the pain is constant and occurs all over the upper part of my body in partucular the neck and shoulders.
It's a perminent ache only interupted with excruciating spasms.
I get alot of rib,neck and shoulder pain in particular.
This is because of the fractures I suffered in these areas before my diagnosis 3 years ago.

Keith.

[KeithH17Participant]

Hi David,in answer to your question about pain I've had different degrees of it since I was first diagnosed just over 3 years ago.
It usually comes and goes and is'nt too debilitating but this has gone on for around 10 weeks and is much more severe.
I was originally mis-diagnosed by my GP for 18,months and have had multiple fractures therefore the weakness is already present.

As to your point Dai I would say I hope you're right but the fact that I'm 2yrs+8mths post SCT and my protein levels have started to show themselves albeit only (7)and I've been in severe discomfort for over 2 months,all of this has sent the alarm bells ringing as it seems to show an all to familiar pattern which is a one of relapse.
Like I said in an earlier post I'm prepared for the worst but still hope for the best.
No doubt the BMB and further Blood Screening and scans will reveal all.

Cheers Guys…Keith.H.

[KeithH17Participant]

I'm so sorry to hear such sad news.
Words are never enough in times like these but we are all thinking of you Roz.

God Bless you.

Keith.

[KeithH17Participant]

Hello Gaye, and yes I could'nt agree more with your sentiments.
Christmas is a family time and it gives us all the chance to reflect.
This Site does give alot of comfort to patients and carers alike and long may it continue to do so.

My only wish for 2011 is that a major breakthrough will be made in the fight against this awful disease.

So on that note I wish everyone a Very Merry Christmas.

Keith.

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