User Reviews for Revlimid oral

71 yo, diagnosed mm 1/2011. Started revlimid w velcade and dexamethazone in 5/11. Not effective enough. After clinical trial in fall, did 2 cycles of revlimid alone, 21 days each. Side effects were exhaustion, slept 16-20 hrs/day and severe dehydration due to miserable diarrhea - seemed like irritable bowel syndrome. That was at 20mg/day. Didn't finish 2nd cycle. Light chin numbers actually doubled in Revlimid alone. Adding cyotoxin this week, reduced rev to 10mg to lessen side effects. Read More Read Less

[04-08-2011] The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is informing the public that we are aware of results from clinical trials conducted inside and outside the United States that found that patients treated with Revlimid (lenalidomide) may be at an increased risk of developing new types of cancer compared to patients who did not take the drug. FDA is currently reviewing all available information on this potential risk and will communicate any new recommendations once it has completed its review. At this time, FDA recommends that patients continue their Revlimid treatment as prescribed by their healthcare provider. The benefits and the risks of Revlimid should be carefully weighed when prescribing this drug. Healthcare professionals should be aware that Revlimid may increase the risk of developing another type of cancer. Revlimid is used to treat a type of blood disorder known as myelodysplastic syndrome. Revlimid is also used along with other drugs to treat people with the cancer known as multiple myeloma. Additional Information for Patients and Caregivers Do not stop taking Revlimid without talking to your healthcare professional. Discuss any questions or concerns about Revlimid with your healthcare professional. Continue to report any side effects you experience to the FDA MedWatch program using the information in the “Contact Us” box at the bottom of the page. Additional Information for Healthcare Professionals Preliminary data derived from evaluation of outcomes after longer-term exposure to Revlimid and from controlled clinical trials conducted inside and outside the Unites States shows an increased incidence of some second primary malignancies, particularly acute myelogenous leukemia (AML) and B-cell lymphoma malignancies, when compared to controls. Since lenalidomide is an analogue of thalidomide, FDA is also currently reviewing all available information on this potential risk for thalidomide. At this time, there is no recommendation to Read More Read Less

decreased to 10 mm dose, side effects greatly lessened and I seem to be stable

on 5mg daily for 21 days, then off for 7 days. Combine with low grade aspirin daily and low dosage of prednisone for the first few months. Occassional pruritus and some minor fatigue are only side effects. White cells went from 130 down to 10 over time, platelets up from 50 to 160, red count from below normal to slightly above.

This drug takes down the level of my IGG, but never gets below 1900. After a month or so the IGG level slowly rises again. I had such bad side effects with Decadron that I really don't want to start taking it again.

Diagnosed 6/10...Velcade, Dec, Doxil 4 months ..in "near complete remission"... went on Rev 21 of 28 days... first cycle swelling, itching on trunk, 2nd cycle swelling, itching also legs, 3rd cycle swelling, itching, peeling whole body, stopped after 3 days of 4th cycle... not long enough to know if effective.

MM(4,14)with collapsed vertabre Nov 2009. Dex did nothing. Apr-May 2010 Valcade/dex had partial response. June Auto Stem cell Transplant. All levels normal till April 2011 then started Revlimid/Dex 21/7 on/off. Only 2 weeks in so far. Heart pounds on minor activity, some isses sleeping and being tired but not too bad. Muscles very sore days 3-5. Frequent urination. Only bad part is heart pounding. Sometimes I feel "thick". Feel warm or hot. Will update in a month or so.

First diagnosed with MM in October 2008. Moved to FL and began Rx treatment in December 2008. I completed two cycles of Revlimid (25mg) and Dex (40mg at 10x4mg) before stopping all drugs three weeks before going to UAMS L'Rock, AR for stem cell harvesting in April 2009. Took no drugs from May 2009-Oct 2009 when at that time I had a tandem stem cell transplant procedure at UAMS. As a follow-up to my stem cell transplants, I as put on a daily (every day, w/no days off) regiment of Revlimid 15mg as a maintenance drug and have been on it daily, ever since. I have had minimal side effects: occasional feeling of being extra tired, infrequent muscle twitching (leg), some muscle cramps (usually resolved w/a Potassium supplement). The daily Rev seems to be working, but the financial cost is huge! My annual out of pocket cost, even with Rx insurance, will be in the neighborhood of 12,000 USD. In the scheme of things, I suppose it is a small price to pay for another year of life. Still, I would like to see the cost of Revlimid reduced significantly, not only for me, but more so for others who have less of an ability to pay and need to take Revlimid for their MM. Read More Read Less

IT HAS BEEN SATISFACTORY, SHOWING IMPROVEMENT WITH ILLNESS. BLOOD WORK IMPROVING AND PROTEIN LEVELS GOING DOWN. 70 YEAR OLD MALE DIAGNOSED MAY 2009, STARTED WITH RADATION AND THEN VELCADE. 15 MG REVALIMID 21DAYS 7DAYS OFF. SOME SWELLING OF FEET, BUT MUCH IMPROVED SINCE STARTING REVALIMID. HAVE BEEN TAKING FOR APPROXIMATELY 5 MOS,

My 62 yr old mother found out the bad news on 06/011/10 and is in stage 3, and has been taking Revlimid for about 2 weeks (21/7). She complains of no side effects. She remains in constant pain in her back and stays in bed most days. For the longest time, her family dr. kept telling her that her back pain was due to back spasms. A year later, at the University Hospital, she is in stage 3 Multiple Myeloma. I have read all the posts on here and my heart goes out to those who have lost your loved ones, and say God is Great to those who are well....I hope my mother pulls through this as well. But its all in God's Hands now.... Read More Read Less

My husband is having a problem with loss of balance and also experiencing signs of dimentia (not serious), but more often as time goes on. This is his second time of taking Revlimid.

My sister age 47 was diagnosed with multiple myeloma. Found early by random blood test. She had no symptoms except elevated plasma cells. Two full body scans nothing there. She had been on the drug for 19 days when she had a blood clot go into her lung and she died instantly. Acute pulmonary embolus was the official cause of death which is one of the main complications of this drug. I pray this helps someone.

HAS ANYONE EXPERIENCED AN INCREASE IN BODY TEMERATURE. I'M NOT REFERRING TO A FERVER,(ABOVE 98.6) BUT GENERAL INCREASE IN BODY TEMPERATURE TO THE TOUCH.

My 74yr old Mom was diagnosed 08/16/09.Large tumors in both hips,small tumors throughout spine and back. Bonemarrow 45% cancer cells. Mom also has Diabetes, HBP and Interstitual Cystitus. 09/09 She began treatment: 18 Rounds of Radiation on hips, Revlimed 25mg, 21days on/7 days off, Decadron 40mg 4dayson/4 days off. Potassium and Calcium daily; Once a month Zometa & Procrit. Her pain was extreme due to the size of the tumors.The only significant side effects were from Decadron: Glucose levels averaged between 200-515. Agitation/nervous,increased thirst and urination which lowered potassium level causing severe nauseau. 11/09 We were Blessed w/the news of ZERO Cancer cells in Bonemarrow. 01/10 REMISSION!!! Mom's Oncologist said,"He couldn't believe it had only been 4 mo's ago and that he had never seen anything like this". His words were,"it's a MIRACLE!" Revlimed was lowered to 15mg. 04/10 PetScan Results: No signs of new Cancer! However, scan revealed fractures in R Ribs and L Hip. We were shocked because she hadn't fallen but, were so thankful. Mom still has pain in back and hips but,it's nothing close to what it once was,bones are very fragile from the Myeloma. However,we truly believe God is in control and is guiding her Oncologist towards her healing. Read More Read Less

I WAS ON VELCADE AND THEN THEY SWITCHED ME TO REVLIMID! I DIDN'T NOTICE ANY BENEFIT USING THIS DRUG.

My father, diagnosed w/ myeloma in Oct 2008 and the cancer mestatsized after radiation and he's been on the drug since 09/09 (21 days on 7 off). The doctor says that his blood count is WNL however it seems as if the side effects of the cocktail (decadron and revlimid) have taken effect. His legs, ankles, feet and face are severly swollen and he seems to be aggitated all the time. It's difficult to determine if the meds are causing him fatigue (he can fall asleep anywhere, anytime). Additionally, he has type2 diabetes and the cocktail has been known to increase blood sugar and effect kidney function although his proteins have been only slightly elevated. His skin is VERY dry so you would think he's dehydrated but because of the effects on the kidneys, he's constantly urinating. It is understood that this is not a cure all to the disease and some days are going to be worse than others but I wonder if he would have benefitted from infusions rather than the oral treatment. Yet, I remain hopeful that this will go into remission and the happy, on-the-go father I know and love will be up and about soon. For those of you who have lost a loved one, my heart goes out to you. Thank you for sharing your stories. -Rachel Read More Read Less