Hello , I had 2 cycles of DTPACE (with velcade thrown in as an extra ) nearly 3 years ago. There were 28 days between cycles . This was part of my “initial treatment” after I had little success with CTD and VTD. I was 56 when I had the treatment .
Each time I stayed in hospital for 5 nights , then came out for about a week and then stayed a further 2 or 3 nights while I was neutropenic. I was lucky and had few side effects other than losing all my head and body hair . The first time my ankles swelled up due to retained water ,the second time I asked for diuretics from the start and this prevented the problem . I had no GI problems , in fact put on weight whilst in hospital . For me the biggest problem was getting used to being on the chemo pump for 96 hours non stop (although I did get adept at taking the machine for walks and dragging it into the shower ). I also didn’t like having a hickman line.
The treatment was successful and the plan was to go on and have a stem cell transplant however this failed as I couldn’t produce enough stem cells . I am now in remission and have been on Revlimid maintenance since and am fit and healthy . I hope the treatment works for you.
