Revilimid

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• October 18, 2020 at 12:30 pm #53180
  Jimmy Greenhut

  Participant

  Hello, I’m going to be starting the drug Revlimid this week. Can you share your experience with this treatment. Thank you in advance

  October 18, 2020 at 2:23 pm #53181
  Tom Nelson

  Participant

  Treatment for MDS Del5q. First month, went to plan 21 days on, 1 week off. Second month 2 weeks on, then body itch, then body rash. one more week , then had to stop. Now bi weekly Aranesp.

  October 18, 2020 at 5:19 pm #53182
  Jimmy Greenhut

  Participant

  Tom, yes I was warned with rash & WBC count dropping. I have RS-T non 5Q. I tried Luspatercept #’s really didn’t bounce w/ side effects. Procrit 60k units weekly didn’t help either. Glad Aranesp is working for you 🙂

  October 18, 2020 at 5:23 pm #53183
  stacey

  Participant

  Jimmy,

  I’ve been on Revlimid for 16 years (when it was not yet FDA approved), and continue to take it.
  I initally started at 10 mg in 2004, but it was lowered to 5 mg after about 6-8 weeks when my blood cell counts improved, and the dose has stayed at 5 mg ever since. I take the dosage every day with no days off.

  When first taking revlimid: Very itchy scalp (assuming due to old cell turnover), few very small patches of dry skin on arms and legs and dry skin on face, fatigue, constipation & stomach pain, Lower White Blood Cell count & neutrophil count (those continue to be at least slightly suppressed even after hemoglobin count improves), lower red blood cell count (until hemoglobin count improves), possible skin sensitivity to sunlight.

  Now: Same symptoms as above but ALSO occasional leg cramps at night, diarrhea alternating with constipation

  I am lucky that it has worked very well for me and allows me to no longer need blood transfusions.
  Hopefully your doctor watches your counts very closely with frequent CBC bloodwork, because the counts tend to go down for the first 6-8 weeks before they start to go up. I know I needed RBC transfusions until the Revlimid kicked in.
  I also try to drink extra water when I remember (I think Revlimid might be dehydrating) and eat oatmeal on occasion to add extra fiber into my diet. I also keep Senokot in my house and take as needed to help with the bowel issues that I find I get from the medicine.
  Very best of luck,
  -Stacey

  October 19, 2020 at 9:29 pm #53185
  Jimmy Greenhut

  Participant

  Stacey, Thank you so much for your input & game plan. I’m happy it has worked for you. I’ll be getting the script next week as paperwork etc… delays it. It will be for 10mg

  November 14, 2020 at 11:24 am #53458
  Nancy Bartholomew

  Participant

  Hi Jimmy,
  I have been on Revlimid for 2 years. The first year I was on 10 mg, then due to extreme gastrointestinal issues, and fortunately my blood was showing an improved stability, I was lowered to 5mg. That helped my side effects somewhat, and my numbers have maintained until recently. The other side effects I have are sleep disturbances, extremely dry skin along with some discoloration. I would advise that you up your water intake to help counter the dehydrating affect of the drug. I have been able to maintain my exercise regimen, which is sometimes difficult, but my doctor highly encourages that. I have lived my life as close to normal as I can, and hopefully you will too.
  The hardest part about being on Revlimid is paying for it! The drug runs $17,538 a month…. thank God that I have good insurance, and the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society has given me grants for these past two years to help pay my deductibles (you might want to look into that for yourself).
  Good luck, and I hope to hear that you are tolerating the drug.

  November 19, 2020 at 10:09 am #53498
  Jimmy Greenhut

  Participant

  Nancy, Thank you for sharing your experience with me. Yes thank god for Ins. I’m hydrating & have dry skin on face & scalp. My RBC has dropped,the transfusion only lasted 2 wks. WBC holding. Best of luck to you too

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