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Revlimid PLUS Exjade ???

This topic has 5 replies, 1 voice, and was last updated 18 years ago by Naomi.

Viewing 6 posts - 1 through 6 (of 6 total)

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April 20, 2006 at 1:30 pm #12698

Lydia
Member

Wondering if anyone is taking Revlimid along with Exjade?

Read somewhere on this forum that someone was started on Revlimid with the expectations that the iron overload would resolve itself if tx were stopped – if Revlimid worked.

Seems that this would be taxing on the body taking 2 major drugs. Appreciate any comments.

April 20, 2006 at 4:34 pm #12699

Naomi
Member

Hi Lydia:
I am on revlimid, have been since 11/03. It has kept me transfusion free. I did phlebotomy for 15 months to rid my body of the excess iron. Got it down to 1885. Was put on exjade. Started on 4/5/06. Took about 3 months to get it going, as I am getting it through the VA. It took a lot of phone calls, trips, etc. to finally get it approved, but it is happening. My revlimid is still on an ongoing trial and is furnished through the drug co.
Naomi

April 21, 2006 at 2:20 am #12700

Carl
Member

Lydia,

I started on Revlimid and then added Exjade but had to stop the Exjade due to watery diarreah. I have only had one transfusion in the last month (as opposed to one every week or two) since resuming the Revlimid and I hope to eventually be transfusion free. My oncologist said when I finally get stable on the Revlimid he wants me to restart the Exjade at a minimum (500 mg) dosage and work up to my recommended dose of 1750 mg.

Good luck to your Mom on the two drugs and be sure to inform your Dr. about any side effects that she may develop.

April 22, 2006 at 12:46 pm #12701

Lydia
Member

Thank you Naomi and Carl! Very encouraging in regard to Revlimid since mom has 5q as do both of you !

Did either of you have any side effects from Revlimid and did they subside or go away?

Carl – hope also you will be tx free as I’m sure you will be. Hope you are encouraged also by Naomi’s response.

Will keep you posted on mom’s experience. Thanks again – greatly helped our stress level.

April 23, 2006 at 2:26 am #12702

Carl
Member

I have experienced many of the side including low WBC, RBC, platelets, itching, diarreah, tiredness and a nasal infection. He says people react differently to the drug. I am also taking Neupogen to raise my WBC count.

April 23, 2006 at 7:24 am #12703

Naomi
Member

Hi Lydia:
I have had the diarrhea since the beginning. I had hive to start out with and since they have appeared occasionally. I have tinnitis that has gotten worse. Since the exjade the diarrhea has gooten worse and I use immodium to treat it. I some times wonder if some of the side effects are from getting older or from the medicine. Since the revilimid, my wbc,rbc and platelets are lower, but not to the point that the doc is worried. They are stable and seem to be so. As long as my hct is above 36 he is happy. I do try to watch to not get infections because of the lower wbc.
Hope this helps some, but as Carl says everyone is different and reacts differently with the disease and the medications.
Naomi
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