I think that these studies indicate benefits of revlimid however a couple questions occured to me after reading the article linked below-
-the article states that revlimid therapy does not cause the side effects that conventional chemo does- ("REVLIMID® (lenalidomide) from Celgene, an oral medication which treats without the ravages of chemotherapy") have any members on the list taken revlimid? If so, have you experienced any side effects?
- do these studies indicate that revlimid therapy as front line therapy is more effctive than a stem cell transplant? Do these studies mean that transplants should be the absolute last resort?
Newswise — Researchers from the Abramson Cancer Center of the University of Pennsylvania announced today that findings from two large, international clinical trials show unprecedented survival for patients with multiple myeloma,
I have been on Revlimid since May of 2006. I started out at 5mg which worked for a year or so and went up to 10mg about 4 months ago. The only two side effects that I have noticed is a decrease in WBC, this did get worse with the increased dosage, and neuropathy, which I had from extended time on Thalidomide, has also gotten worse. Overall it has been a great drug though. It allows me to go back and forth to school, my energy is good, apitiate not a problem. I am pleased that this drug is working for me. Hope this is helpful.
Mary Jo
I have been on Revlimid for 18 months. I started at the clinical dose of 25 mg and my white count plummited. My oncologist over the next 4 months reduced it to 20 mg and then 15 mg which is where I am now. My neurapathy has also gotten worse but I contribute most of my neurapathy to 2 1/2 years on Thalidomide. Revlimid does not have the constipation or nightly sleep benefit of Thalidomide. It is also in my opinion not as targeted to the M-spike based upon my Thalidomide experience which attacked the myeloma but left my white count, red count and platelets alone. I had to switch to Revlimid from Thalidomide which after 2 1/2 years stopped working and my M-spike went up every month for 9 months until I switched to Revlimid. From talking to several MM patients on Revlimid, the experiences vary quite a lot. Some individuals have no trouble with the full 25 mg clinical dose, others can't tollerate more than 10 mg, still others go off of it completely.
Terry
I was on Revlimid, first at 25 mg,, then at 10, then alternating days of 10 and 5 mg.  Even on the lowest dose, my hemoglobin went to under 7 and I had to have transfusions.  (Prior to Revlimid I was on MP.) Revlimid seems to be very toxic to the marrow for me.  A few weeks have passed since my stopping Revlimid and my hemoglobin rarely is above 8.  I am now on Velcade and it seems kinder to the marrow.  I hope I recover so that I am not so very very anemic.
Shirley-
Hang in there- I think there are posts in the archives talking about how to raise one's hemoglobin counts- David
Mary Jo, Terry and anyone else with revlimid experience-
Can anyone add anything to Shirley's low hemoglobin problem? David
Mary Jo wrote: "The only two side effects that I have noticed is a decrease in WBC, this did get worse with the increased dosage, and neuropathy, which I had from extended time on Thalidomide, has also gotten worse."
Terry wrote: "I started at the clinical dose of 25 mg and my white count plummited."
About two months ago my hemoglobin dropped to 9.2. I started eating lots of red meat and as of last Thursday my hemoblobin had risen to 11.0. Taking 500 mg vitamin C (bigger dose is not necessary) in combination with either a iron supplement (35 mg iron) or red meat should also bring up the hemoglobin more rapidly.
Terry
I read that if you add lemon juice (well, there you go, what Terry says: vit c!) to your red meat, you absorb a lot more of the iron. Makes sense. So, juice up your meat! Ok, I think I have posted enough for about a month in just one day! I will shut up now! ;-)
Margaret. Florence, Italy. Blog URL: http://margaret.healthblo...
About two months ago my hemoglobin dropped to 9.2. I started eating lots of red meat and as of last Thursday my hemoblobin had risen to 11.0. Taking 500 mg vitamin C (bigger dose is not necessary) in combination with either a iron supplement (35 mg iron) or red meat should also bring up the hemoglobin more rapidly.
Terry
I also take iron - 10 mg/day. I eat red meat several times a week. My hemoglobin is now about 13, up from 9 six months ago. Some of this rise can be attributed to Thal/Dex, since I started seeing changes before taking iron and eating red meat.
My Hemoglobin was constantly low since starting Thalidomide and then on to Rev. However, a year ago last July I started taking Poly MVA (which I hoped would help the cancer, but has not) one benefit though is my hemoglobinis at 14.5, and has stayed there even when increasing from 5mg to 10mg of Rev. My energy is so much better, no daily nap needed. It is why I continue to spend the money on this product. I have t ried to stop it but my energy level is noticibly lower. We are all different but Shirley could try this for a month or two to see if it makes a difference. My onocoligist was impressed with my increase in hemoglobin and hematicrit.
Mary Jo
Mary Jo and anyone else curious about polymva-
One of the Galen foundation's board members is knowledgable and pro polymva. He is continually sending me info about the supplement. I don't know much other than whay this person tells me but I have posted the link to the survivor group below. DavidÂ
http://polymvasurvivors.c...
Â
Thank you, David, Mary Jo, and all who have responded to my post about my low hemoglobin.  I never heard of Poly MVA. I'll run it over to my Onc. for his view.  What category is it? Is it a supplement?  . Terry, did you take the iron on your own?  Do you think the daily steak did the trick?
     I just got the results of the latest blood IgA.  My numbers didn't go down on three doses of Velcade, but stayed stable.  I think that's good, but I'd really wish I would feel less tired. Thank you again for your suggestions. I hope to keep you informed.       Shirley
Terry and Shirley-
I have substituted my red meat (beef) consumption with bison meat. Bison has less fat and more iron as beef. I think it tastes beffer too- cooking time is less than beef due to low fat content though. David
Best information on Poly-MVA is on:
http://www.polymva.com/ab...
Another good over view from the Wellness Directory of Minnisota.
http://www.mnwelldir.org/...
Markcg
Mark,
What can you tell us about your experience with Poly-MVA? What has it done for you physically? Has it improved your labs? How much do you take each day? I noticed on the testimonials page of the first site you mentioned, that an MM patient achieved normal blood tests in just a few months. Do you know if this is common? Thanks for the information.
Hi everyone, hope all is well in your neck of the woods!Â
I have been testing a concoction of curcumin (C3 Complex) and quercetin powders mixed in cocoa mass and honey for about 3 weeks now. I used the honey as a sweetener merely to reduce the tremendously bitter taste of the cocoa mass. Anyway, since then, I have done a bit of research on honey, and discovered that it is a somewhat of a super food. Obviously not the overly-processed, practically transparent stuff you buy in supermarkets, but the organic honey of health food stores, the darker the better. Indeed, there is a kind of honey called Manuka, produced in New Zealand, that has too many properties to list here. Including wound healing! (prevents infections etc.) Anyway, my POINT is that honey also apparently helps boost hemoglobin levels. I found a million website references on this topic, including this one: http://www.liebertonline.com/doi/abs/10.1089/109662003322233549?cookieSet=1&journalCode=jmfÂ
Also, see this one: http://www.newstarget.com/021506.htmlÂ
Well, fancy that. Funny thing is, I have been using a dark organic honey anyway, without knowing about any of this!
And by the way, just to add to Mary Jo's comment. Since using this concoction I haven't felt the need to lie down after I get home from work. A coincidence? Hmmm...perhaps! But...perhaps not!
Take care, everyone!
Margaret. Florence, Italy. Blog URL: http://margaret.healthblo...
Margaret-
"I have been testing a concoction of curcumin (C3 Complex) and quercetin powders mixed in cocoa mass and honey for about 3 weeks now. I used the honey as a sweetener merely to reduce the tremendously bitter taste of the cocoa mass. Anyway, since then, I have done a bit of research on honey, and discovered that it is a somewhat of a super food."
I underwent apitherapy (bee venom) for about six months awhile ago. The beekeeper was pro, pro anything bees- venom, honey, etc.
I have also read several articles recently about the health benefits of cocoa- the life extension foundation is additing cocoa to a number of it's supplement mixtures.
I would like to know more about your concoction- the recipe, etc. if it's possible. David
Hi everyone! David, I don't know if this mixture works, yet. I do feel pretty darned good, and have had no peripheral neuropathy at all in the past few weeks (I had occasional PN before). And I don't even get tired after lunch. Whatever is going on, it's good (just my impression, though). Anyway, interesting that you mention bee venom. I have written a post about it, and about bees in general, and am right now putting together a post on honey. Extraordinary stuff (but, as Terry wisely points out, beware of raw honey). What effects did you have from apitherapy?
After reading about circadian rhythms (biological clock stuff), I now take my new concoction right before going to bed (I wash my teeth during the day, not at night, now, since the mixture coats my tongue, and I am hoping to absorb some of the curcumin that way, bypassing the stomach; brushing my teeth after coating my tongue would defeat the purpose). Anyway, after reading about circadian rhythms, it made sense to take curcumin at night when perhaps (?) the enzymes that attack it may be less active. Hope this doesn't sound too whacky!
At any rate, here is my recipe: I melt a bit of cocoa mass and some dark organic honey, sorry no specific amounts, I just do it by "eye," as we say in Italian. Once melted, I add 8 grams of curcumin C3 Complex and 2 grams of quercetin. Both are in powder form. You don't need much cocoa mass and honey, by the way. The entire thing probably ends up being a couple of spoonfuls. Heaping. It's tasty, but eat it quickly because it tends to harden as it cools. The consistency, while hot, is creamy peanut butter. The beauty of it is that the two powders dissolve completely, which is what we want (theoretically). That is, the curcumin crystals become molecules, from what I understand. I repeat, I don't know if this method works. Yet. A blog reader gave me the chocolate idea, then I changed over to cocoa mass (more fat content etc.). I thought of adding honey when I tried to eat this stuff unsweetened (bleah, it was BITTER). I added honey, and it was yummy. Bon appetit! ;-)
Margaret. Florence, Italy. Blog URL: http://margaret.healthblo...
Margaret- thanks for the recipe- several things-
1) "Anyway, interesting that you mention bee venom. I have written a post about it, and about bees in general, and am right now putting together a post on honey. Extraordinary stuff (but, as Terry wisely points out, beware of raw honey). What effects did you have from apitherapy?"
After ramping up with stings for a few weeks, I recieved about 10 stings on each leg for my nerve damage. I would feel better for a day or two but the improvement never lasted. I understand that a bee sting triggers an immune response. 20 stings twice a week would trigger a substantial immune response. But as i say, my nerve damage didn't heal.
2) "Anyway, after reading about circadian rhythms, it made sense to take curcumin at night when perhaps (?) the enzymes that attack it may be less active. Hope this doesn't sound too whacky!"
Re enzymes in our intestines. i just read an article about grapfruit juice and how it destroys enzymes in the gut and that grapefruit juice taken with certain drugs/supplements potentiates the absorbability of the drug/supplement. I will find the article and post it.
Thanks again- David
Margaret,
Please remember that raw honey can contain the bacteria salmonella, and it is not that rare of an occurence. For someone with a normal immune system, it will just make you very sick, but for anyone with a compromised immune system it can kill you!
Terry
Excellent point, Terry. I buy organic honey over here, but we don't have raw honey. it's all pasteurized, probably because of the problem you mention. But I think in the U.S. you have to be careful. Thanks for pointing that out.
Margaret. Florence, Italy. Blog URL: http://margaret.healthblo...
Terry,
I guess I've been living under a rock, or maybe in a honeycomb. I've been eating tiny, tiny amounts of raw honey every so often. I've never heard or read, until now, that salmonella could be a problem. How can this be (no pun intended)? Where can I learn more about this?
Terry and Cathy-
I, too, have eaten raw honey and have never heard of possible salmonella issues. In fact, I thought that raw honey was better for you not having undergone the enzyme-killing process of pasturization. I understood that honey was a sort of natural antibiotic, that it never spoiled even though it was not in the refridgerator- that when spread on wounds, will help to heal. David
Cathy posted
"I guess I've been living under a rock, or maybe in a honeycomb. I've been eating tiny, tiny amounts of raw honey every so often. I've never heard or read, until now, that salmonella could be a problem. How can this be (no pun intended)? Where can I learn more about this?"
sunnylady1
I too take iron, a liquid, vegetarian formula made in Europe, that thank God does not have the side effect of constipation that other formulations had for me. I've been taking the proprietary medication from the Burzynski clinic and no other meds except for a brief period of Thalomid which caused neuropathy. Otherwise, I supplement with D, E, beta glucan, AHCC, curcumin, selenium and other vitamins, minerals and herbs.  I also drink a beet, carrot, and mixed vegetable juice several times weekly, as well as a green drink with wheat grass several times weekly. Occasionally I eat buffalo meat also and love it. I eat lamb too; mostly, though, I stick with fish and chicken, as much organic as possible, and fruits, vegetables and some whole grains. It took over a year for my hemoglobin levels to get up to normal from a low of about 7.8. Diagnosis was in July 2003, and I began treatment at the Burzynski Clinic in September 2003. I have good energy, work out several times a week, and have claimed healing for myself through visualization and meditation.Â
Sunnylady1-
I will copy/paste below that portion of your homepage that speaks to your therapies and relates to your post above.
- your original dx was in '03-
-other than induction therapy of thalidomide for the first 6 months, you have not undergone any other conventional therapies?
-your hemoglobin levels in '03 were 7.8- do you know what they are now? Do you know any other current dx factors? M-spike, etc.?
-what is the status of your insurance/burzynski situation?Â
- what is your current mm status?
The doctor spoke with me of immediately going to a large research hospital for massive radiation and chemotherapy, to be followed by a bone marrow transplant. I did not like the way this sounded, so indicated that I wished a second opinion. Having read Dr. Whitaker's newsletter several years before, the issue where he described the Burzynski Clinic in Houston Texas, I decided to contact them. It sounded very positive to me. I had been involved in natural healing, fitness, and had worked out, jogged, and taken a variety of herbs and supplements for years, and the treatment at the Burzynski Clinic was right in line with my philosophy of taking care of myself. So after contacting them, sending them all of my medical records, x-rays, and reports of other lab work, my sister and I went to Texas and stayed for 10 days. We were greatly pleased with the warmth, professionality, and honesty of Dr. Burzynski and all of the staff and their efforts to help us be comfortable during our stay. I began treatment during that time and was pleased with the gradual approach to increasing the medication over the 2 week period. Since that time I have been on PBs, Retuxin (for 6 weeks in the beginning), Thalidomide (for about 6 months last year), AminoCare, and have also taken vitamins and supplements. Thalidomide was stopped in September because of the side effects of slowing down my swallowing ability, constipation, and neuropathy in my feet and toes. My protein levels were controlled with Thalidomide and for a long time remained in the normal range. They have been creeping up slowly and we are looking at doing some gene testing at the clinic, which could result in another medication, usually better tolerated.
I am living a full and active life, albeit with some aches and pains, and am full of positive hope of still being here on the planet to watch my 4 year old grandson grow to manhood. One big glitch...my insurance company which had been paying well, switched prescription providers, which have now decided that they do not want to pay for my medication. I am currently putting together an appeal, even though the Clinic has sent appeals which have been denied. So that's where I am at this point. I do not intend to let this development be the final chapter!
sunnylady1
sunnylady1
Hi David, Here are some answers to your questions. Regarding conventional therapies, Thalidomide was prescribed after about a year into the therapy. I also had two 6 week series of Rituxan, the first at the beginning of treatment in 2003, and the second, just last Winter. My hemoglobin as of November was 11.4, lower than it had been for several months, having been 11.9 for 2-3 months, 12.0, and 12.3 last Spring. Lab work is done every month with electrophoresis and immunophoresis with 24 hr. UA every 3 months. I visit the clinic every 3-4 months. This time, its closer to 4 1/2 months. My mm status according to Dr. B is not in remission, but is stable. I was in partial remission with the Thalidomide, but without the bmb was not considered in full remission at that time. Since cessation of thal treatment, protein levels have gradually crept up to 9.0, though since last month they went up to 9.7.  My insurance company is now paying for my treatment. After some investigating on my part and finding that there was a problem with claim forms, that being corrected, the insurance company began again to pay the claims!!! I am grateful for that, since paying out of pocket for 3 months was moving me toward discontinuance of the treatment. I'll be at the clinic the week before Christmas on my way to California. Any suggestions for questions I can ask? By the way, I have no idea what m-spike is.Â
Sunnylady1-
"My insurance company is now paying for my treatment. After some investigating on my part and finding that there was a problem with claim forms, that being corrected, the insurance company began again to pay the claims!!!"
This information is extremely important as I am not aware of any insurance co covering antineoplaston therapy for MYELOMA- if it's okay, I would like to ask you more questions on this- it's important to have this info in the archives for future mmers.
1)Â What problems with claims forms did you have?
2) What form of insurance do you have? HMO? Medicare? Name of your insurance co? Aetna, UnitedHealth, BCBS?
3) Can you write any specifics from your EOB? (explaination of benefits)
I was denied payment for many reasons- "not medically necessary," "out of network" and many others. The reasoning your insurance co uses are important.
"Any suggestions for questions I can ask? By the way, I have no idea what m-spike is."
1) any diagnosis specifics about myeloma your that you can get would be helpful- if Dr. Burzynski says that your mm is "stable" what dx info does he base his opinion?
2) I used to talk to a Terry Robertson in the insurance dept (sort of like accounts recieveable dept). Terry was extremely helpful. Does this dept have any record of other insurers covering antineoplaston therapy for MYELOMA patients?
Sunnylady1, I hope I am not overdoing in by asking you all this. It's just that my own mm experience with antineoplaston therapy was remarkable but the insurance problem always got in the way of recommending this therapy to other survivors. David
sunnylady1
Hi David, I must admit that I am concerned about the possibility of jeopardizing my situation so would appreciate it if none of the information I give you, including my name be communicated to the clinic or any insurance companies, i.e. as an example to another company. Because of this, I would prefer to speak with you about these matters over the telephone. My number is 708.754.6992. Feel free to call me anytime. Dr. Burzynski states that my condition is stable because, at least up until my last visit there, in August, my numbers had only miniscule changes, if any. For example, my hemoglobin numbers had remained steady, as had red and white cell count, electrolytes, gloucose, creatinine, etc. based on monthly CBC, CMP and UA and every 3 months those tests plus electrophoresis on the blood and immunophoresis on a 24 hr. urine collection. My protein levels had remained at about 9.0-9.2. Those facts, plus my energy level and lifestyle, was the basis of his evaluation. Hoping you'll understand. Â
sunnylady
If you are taking any medication or herbal that goes through the liver to remove toxic biproducts of digestion, do not consume grapefruit or graapefruit juice. Grapefruit juice is an inhibitor of cytochrome P450 that the liver makes to breakdown and remove the toxins. This was accidently discovered on many clinical drug trials where the patients that consumed grapefruit or grapefruit juice as part of their normal diet became ill. The consumption of grapefruit juice on P450 is also accumlative, with a half life of 12 hours, which means every 12 hours the effect is only reduced by half. Do a Google search for grapefruit juice and P450 if you want to know more details.
Terry
I would not say you live under a rock because most food poisonings are not reported-only like 20% are reported. The rest of us get sick and assume it was something we ate. Only when someone dies or a large group of people wind up in the hospital do we hear about food poisonings. But I can assure you that eating raw honey or drinking unpasteurized apple cider is like playing Russian Roulette. Sooner or later those that consume are going to get very ill and those of us who are not robust may likely die. To read more, just put in salmonella and raw honey or unpasteurized apple cider in Google and you find those that tried and lost.
Terry
Terry-
I searched "salmonella and raw honey" and found this-as you can see, the headline says that raw honey is dangerous to give infants but the copy below regarding salmonella does not contain any reference to raw honey-I would like to research the possiblility of salmonella and rawn honey further if you know of any info, links, references etc. David
It is dangerous to give raw honey to infants and other tips for food safety
Contributed By: U.S. Food and Drug Administration
The following is a condensed version of FDA's "Bad Bug Book". For more details on any of the organisms listed, or to find out about other organisms, you may want to go to FDA's Bad Bug Book at: http://vm.cfsan.fda.gov/~mow/intro.html.
BACTERIA
Salmonella
Foods Associated with Salmonella: Raw poultry products, eggs, pork, processed meats. Less commonly, Salmonella has been found to be associated with raw fruits and vegetables such as cantaloupe, tomatoes and alfalfa sprouts.
Characteristics of Illness: Fever, cramps, diarrhea and sometimes vomiting.
Onset: Illness may begin between 7 hrs to 3 days after eating contaminated food.
Duration: Illness may last 2-3 days.
Prevention of Illness:
* Avoid cross-contamination of ready-to-eat foods with raw meats or their juices.
* Thoroughly cook meat and poultry.
* Cook eggs thoroughly and never eat runny yolks or raw eggs.
* Always refrigerate processed meat products.
* Wash fruits and vegetables thoroughly.
Bees can carry salmonella. That is why anything that bees come in contact with that is not heat treated (165 F for 16 seconds) can also carry salmonella, be it raw honey or unpasteurized apply cider (remember all those bees buzzing around the apple cider as it is pressed!) can also carry salmonella.
Terry
Terry,
I intended to contact the FDA or a local County Extension Agent about this topic. I didn't have much luck finding anything on the Internet. I suppose your admonition also applies to Bragg's raw apple cider vinegar - the vinegar I use on salads. Hmmm. I'll have to re-think my salad vinegar. I can see where raw products could be especially worrisome for patients who have had a STC. Of course, we can also get salmonella from eating raw nuts and produce. A side note about salmonella: The USDA recently required all US almond processors to pasteurize almonds, although those almonds may still be called "raw." (This I do not understand.) Organic almonds are steamed at very high heat. Supposedly, the almond itself is still raw, but the skin is not. Regular almonds are pasteurized with propylene oxide (PPO), a chemical that is a "possible carcinogen." The chemical has been banned in the European Union, Canada and Mexico. The California Almond Board wanted to avoid further salmonella outbreaks like the two outbreaks in 2001 and 2004. The Board asked the USDA to formulate this plan with very little notification to the general population.Â
Hello all,
  I have been on Revlimid for 5 months- 2 at 25 mg and 3 at 5 mg. I noticed feeling agitated, tired, and couldn't taste foods correctly. My blood counts stayed about the same or even improved slightly during the 25 mg. I notice a significant improvement at 5 mg.- almost normal energy levels, no odd taste sensations, still a little agitated- though acknowledging that that may be more due to the weekly Dexamethazone (which I am taking 16 mg of, though the doctor wants me to be taking 20 mg, but that doesn't feel right to me). I have sleep challenges, tending to only sleep 4-5 hours a night. I am not sure if this is from having cancer in general (and nearly dead a few times), fear, the Rev. or the Dex. I have resorted to Tomazapan (sleeping med) in order to sleep 7 hours or so (usually needing 30 mg, occasionally taking 15 mg around midnight on nights that I try to sleep without meds).
   I used POLYMVA for 2.5 years quite religiously. It seemed to keep the MM from progressing though it didn't bring my numbers down (decrease the cancer much). 85% of my bone marrow was cancerous during the time I was on it. I really wanted it to work. When the cancer became over 95% I resorted to going to Little Rock, ARk and got the full 3 doses of high dose chemo- 2 PACE protocols and one Melphalen with stem cell transplant, for which I got great improvement- into remission within months. I enjoyed being cancer-free for months. When the MM came back quickly, I went to Zion, Ill- Cancer Treatment of America and underwent another Melphalen/stem cell treatment, and have been in remission since.. this time using Revlimid/dex...Â
  Â
 blessings to all, David Demere in Belfast, Maine
I have difficulty with all of the abbreviations people use. I request that people spell out words at the first use, please.. thanks.
wishing you growth and transformation as you heal ...I am an irregular emailer
David and all-
I will send you a list of appreviations both for common terms as well as for chemo regimens (VAD= vincristine, adriamiacin, doxorubicin)
I can also send this to anyone who asks-Â DavidÂ
Linda M - Houston
I would love one. Thanks.Â
Thank you, David Demere, for your posting on PolyMVA.  I received their info pack and have decided that there is not enough evidence to warrant the high cost for me at this time.  Although my hemocrit and hemoglobin is low (HCT about 26 and HGB about 7.5) my dr. thinks it will go up by itself.  It went very south with Revlimid and it seems that several months are needed to recover.  Thanks to all who have given suggestions and kind words of support.
                                      Shirley
Linda- I will email the newly dx mm info- both lists are included- David
Please email me the list of abreviations.
 Thanks, Joe BarteeÂ
Joe- will do-Â
All- I can't figure out how to post the lists from a document on my "desktop."Â Otherwise I would post them to the list-
Anyone have any ideas as to how to do this? I don't mind sending them individually- just takes longer. DavidÂ
Hello Everyone,Â
     I would like to report my present use of curcumin. My circumstances have changed since I last reported, when I was still on Revlimid.  To Terry:  Regarding Revlimid's toxicity to the bone marrow, my onc reported that to me immediately, but I chose to ignore it as I feared that if I started on Velcade, as he suggested, the neuopathy would increase. However, when I saw that even on lowest dosage my hemoglobin went too far south, I agreed to switch to Velcade.   I have now complleted three rounds, (one per week, 10mg dex, four weeks on.)   I've been taking one month off in between and taking 1 1/2 grams of curcumin daily in the interval.  This kept my IgA stable in the last interval.  If it keeps it stable until the next test two weeks from now, I'll hold off on the Velcade, continue on the curcumin and declare the curcumin regimen a success. But I guess I'm running ahead of myself.
     I've had a bad cold for the past week. People have suggested taking various kinds of antibiotics, but my question is:  If a cold is caused by a virus, how can taking an antibiotic (which acts against bacteria) help?
                                    ShirleySFL
  Â
Shirley,
The normal resonse to a bacterial infection is immediate which occurs because of your IgM. But myeloma patients have reduced levels of IgM, so our response is slower or not at all. While your body is fighting the virus, your body produces less neutrophils (part of your WBC) that fight bacterial infections. You need the antibiotics almost before the bacterial infection shows up. A bacterial infection can get out of control rapidly-not good.
Terry
Terry, thank you for your explanation.   As it is, since I have ONJ and a small bacterial infection from that, I'm now taking a super-peniillin.  So I hope I'm covered on both aspects.  My cold is slowly getting better and has been checked out by my PCP, but I still do not feel up to par, so am taking it easier.  Not easy, I may have to cancel an appointment with my granddaughter, even more important to me than my doctor (almost.)  I'm also taking curcumin 2 mg daily in my Velcade vacation.  Will let you all know why the results show.
                                         ShirleySFL
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