Valerie Brewster

  • Hello, I wanted to share my journey with you. I was first diagnosed in February 2001, after a medical at work. At first was couldn’t take it all in, as a family we were being monitored for breast cancer, was even on Tamoxifen. So to be told I had a cancer, which I had never heard of, was to say the least unbelievable. I was started on VAD…[Read more]

  • Hi Annette,

    I have tried Magnesium, Quinine and now take Amitriptyline for the cramps the Am has helped a bit, but have found the very cold weather and damp makes the cramps worse, so I try and keep myself warm, which at the moment is very hard with this bitterly cold wind, it just seems to go right thru you. Just have to take the bad with…[Read more]

  • Thanks for all the replies. When I was first dxd then were not many treatments it is now a different story and I am sure there will be more treatments available. At first you are completely bowled over when you get the diagnosis as are your family. I am a very strongminded person and am determined that this beast would not become my life or…[Read more]

  • Hi, I saw my consultant last week for my 3 monthly check-up and the news is still good, still in remission, the blood test result stated no myeloma detected. Very happy people. He also told me I could have a small rest from taking Thal. the dosage is 50 mg a day. I was first dxd in February 2001 and first SCT in November of that year. Second…[Read more]

  • valbrewster replied to the topic Latest Results in the forum General 11 years, 4 months ago

    Thnx for all the responses. Thal. is thalidomide and it is prescribed on the NHS. You are asked a lot of questions mainly about being pregnant or getting pregnant, which I am well passed that age!! My first SCT was in November 2001, and my maintenance treatment then was Interferon which I did not tolerate. I had about 2 years before I went…[Read more]

  • Have not posted for awhile but I would like to share the news we received at my recent 3 monthly check up. My consultant told us that the blood test results showed no myeloma present – as you can imagine my hubby, Steve, and myself were grinning from ear to ear. Its just over 4 years since my 2nd SCT – so far so good. I do take Thal. 50mg daily…[Read more]

  • valbrewster replied to the topic NIGHT CRAMPS in the forum General 12 years, 2 months ago

    Got the results from the EMG, Neurologist told me I have mild neuropathy, no surprise there, it maybe mild but the cramps are severe. He has prescribed 0.50mg of clonazepan to take at night. Also to restart the 50mg of Thal. Will see him again in 6 weeks time to see how things work out. I will start on the new regime next week as we are off to…[Read more]

  • Hi,

    Hope Henry is getting over his infection, and I wish well for the SCT. I wouldn't worry too much about the hospital food, after each of my SCT just didn't have much of an appetite but was nagged to drink water. I use to phone my hubby and give him a list of foods that I fancied, usually he got to the hospital and I had changed my mind,…[Read more]

  • Hi Dave,

    Sorry to hear that the beast has started to raise its head, quite a shock, sounds like you have a good quality of life, like me. There will be a treatment out there for you, but hey, you may not need any for quite a while, just stay positive and keep practising your swing!! I am off to see the Neurologist next week (29th) and…[Read more]

  • Hi Chris,

    Have been reading your posts and I understand all the emotions you have and are roller-coasting thru. What I wanted to say is that I was dxd with MM in February 2001, after a routine medical at work. My major symptom was a painful mid back. To date I've had radiotherapy for the back pain, VAD, auto stem cell transplant in November…[Read more]

  • valbrewster replied to the topic NIGHT CRAMPS in the forum General 12 years, 3 months ago

    Had my EMG yesterday, instead of 15th, for some unknown reason I had remembered the wrong date. The procedure wasn't too bad and it was strange to be able to listen to my muscles. Of course, I got cramp in the right calf during the procedure and the Doctor said she could hear the cramping! See the Neurologist on 23rd, can't get an early…[Read more]

  • valbrewster started the topic NIGHT CRAMPS. in the forum General 12 years, 3 months ago

    Hi, saw the Neurologist who gave me a thorough physical examination and he seemed happy with me. He sent me for a blood test to test for lack of certain vitamins and enzymes(?), the nurse took 8 vials! Am now due for an EMG, all I know is that electrodes are put on/in your legs to check the muscles, he said it wouldn't hurt, so asked him if he…[Read more]

  • valbrewster replied to the topic Travel insurance in the forum General 12 years, 3 months ago

    Lin, I had trouble in getting travel insurance with a reasonable premium, I found a company that would insure my husband, (who has had a triple heart graft) and myself and they are MIA and contact details are MIA Online Ltd., PO Box 2109, Rayleigh, Essex SS6 9WH. Only able to take a policy out one month prior to travel, hope this helps. Val

  • valbrewster replied to the topic NIGHT CRAMPS in the forum General 12 years, 4 months ago

    Saw my consultant this afternoon, and he advised that there was NO myeloma detected, which is good news, all my results have been the same since my 2nd SCT back in November 2008. Because of the severity of the night cramps he is going to refer me to a Neurologist, he feels it could be a very rare side effect to the Thalidomide, shall continue…[Read more]

  • valbrewster replied to the topic NIGHT CRAMPS in the forum General 12 years, 4 months ago

    Hi Min,

    Thnx. I spend most evenings with a hot water bottle around my legs, trouble is I also suffering with menopausal flushes, so I am either too hot or too cold. Sometimes can't win. I will have a go with the leg warmers, have increased my fluids and was also told to add salt to my food, I had never ever added salt when cooking so am also…[Read more]

  • valbrewster started the topic NIGHT CRAMPS. in the forum General 12 years, 4 months ago

    Brief history. Dxd back in Feb 2001, after the normal course of VAD had STC in Nov 2001 then Interferon as a maintenance regime. Everything good until 2 years later, then had various treatments incl. Velcade, low dose melphalan, Z/Dex and eventually 2nd SCT in November 2008 with cells collected back in 2001. Have been on Thal. original dose…[Read more]