Comments on: Revlimid (lenalidomide)

By: Dorie J. Porter

Dorie J. Porter — Tue, 06 May 2008 15:59:16 +0000

My 80yr old physically and mentally active mother has recently been dx with multiple myeloma. Last month she began taking Relvimid 25mg daily (25 days) with the dexamethasone 25mg(4-5day option). The first month went well with seemingly no side effects until she came off the 5 days of des. She developed tremors, blood sugars went crazy and she began having tremendous fatigue. She also developed pneumonia and a urinary tract infection that left her in the hospital for several days. She is home now but getting depressed because all she wants to do is sleep, eating is tough because everything seems to have lost its taste (this began before the bout with pneumonia). She is rapidly becoming a shadow of her former self. Has anyone else had problems with their sense of taste?

By: Beth and John

Beth and John — Sun, 13 Apr 2008 20:59:13 +0000

You have given us all a clear idea of what Revlimid is and does. It is a gift. Thank you, Beth and John

By: Chaya

Chaya — Sat, 05 Apr 2008 16:51:02 +0000

Connie:

The rash your mom got sounds just about like the one Harvey got – except in his case it was pretty extensive, all over his chest and back as well as his upper arms. In his case it itched as well.

Skin rashes of various sorts are pretty well documented side effect of Revlimid therapy. In Harvey’s case it got to be enough of a hassle that he was put on frequent (every 4 hours) dose of Benadryl tablets and that helped.

Best wishes to your mom. I hope she gets a good response from Revlimid.

Regards,
Chaya

By: Connie

Connie — Thu, 03 Apr 2008 05:18:55 +0000

My 82 year old mother has had MDS for over 5 years. We just got her on Revlimid 6 days ago. She has gotten a rash that looks like welps all on her torso. Is this the rash you are talking about? They don’t itch, their just uncomfortable she says. Please let me know something. Thanks, Connie

By: chaya

chaya — Thu, 20 Mar 2008 11:56:24 +0000

Alex:

Yes, prednisone can decrease the intensity of tumor flare reactions. For this reason it was used extensively in the earlier Revlimid studies. However, our two experts both agreed that for the same reasons that it reduces the impact of tumor flare, it also reduces the potential activity of the drug in terms of killing cancer cells and therefore recommended against it. Harvey decided he needed as much oomph as he can get to kill his tough brand of CLL. He chose to brave what ever tumor flare there was going to be, without the protection of steroids.

As it turned out, in his case the tumor flare was not too bad (easy for me to say).

By: lloydt

lloydt — Tue, 18 Mar 2008 20:56:19 +0000

I have been taking 5mg/day 21days on 7 off since September for MM. I have no side effects It is holding the MM in check.

The reason for the low dose- I have Fanconi Syndrome (kidney failure caused by the MM).

By: lloydt

lloydt — Tue, 18 Mar 2008 20:54:54 +0000

I have been taking 5mg/day 21days on 7 off since September for MM. I have no side effects It is holding the MM in check.

By: Alex

Alex — Tue, 18 Mar 2008 19:05:48 +0000

Chaya, thanks for the details. What about using prednisone to stop or limit the flare reaction? I have heard that this works quite well. Perhaps not a good idea because of immune system blockade? What have you heard about this option of preventing the flare part? Thanks..
Alex