Hi folks,
My 87 year mother has been diagnosed with Myeloma for a few years now and has been pretty stable will now and has been offered treatment (Lenalidomide/Revlimid).
She also has type 1 diabetes and osteoporosis with bones in her back crumbling and is in constant pain.
On reading the leaflet about the treatment and the side affects I’m not sure really what is best for her.
She is getting a iron infusion on Monday and is already on a small dose of morphine for the back pain but as of the last week that’s not touching the sides.
Any advise and suggestions would be sincerely appreciated. Sheila
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Hello @Braveart
Thank you for taking time to share your post on the forum
I’m so sorry to learn about your mother, my heart goes out to you and your family
The question you ask is a very valid one, however, as a forum support volunteer i am not medically trained, and therefore i have referred your question onto one of our @BloodCancerUK_Nurses_Group who are far better placed to be able to answer such things
If you prefer you can call us for free on [0808 2080 888](tel:0808 2080 888) (Option 1) to speak to one of our Support Service Nurses in confidence.
Our phone lines are open:
- Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday: 10am – 4pm
- Tuesday: 10am – 7pm
- Saturday: 10am – 1pm
- Sunday and bank holidays: Closed
Alternatively, call us anytime and leave a message and we’ll get back to you within one working day.
I do hope everything goes okay
Take good care
Kind regards
Mike
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Hi @Braveart and welcome to the forum.
It must be difficult now treatment needs to start, especially when reading about the side effects.
There will be others who can share their experiences but as we all know, our blood cancer journeys can be very different and varies for each individual.
Have you been able to talk things through with your mums medical team? If not, write down all of those questions ready for when you can.
How is your mum feeling about starting treatment?
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Good morning @Braveart, welcome to the forum. I’m sorry to hear about what your mother has been going through, and can only imagine how difficult that must be for you both.
I can see you’ve already received some great advice from Mike and Nichola, our lovely Forum Support Volunteers. One thing thoughI wanted to add is that if the morphine’s stopped working on her back pain, please let her team know that soon rather than waiting it out. New or worsening pain is something they’ll want to hear about promptly (more on what to watch for here).
Mike’s already looped in our nurses on the Lenalidomide question, so I won’t repeat that - but if you haven’t heard back yet, the phone line’s often quicker for a proper chat about her specific situation.
Two things that might help meanwhile: an A-Z of myeloma drugs (handy for translating the leaflet), and our carer’s guide, since you’re the one weighing this up for her.
Keep us posted, Sheila, and do reach out if you need any further support or info.
Take care,
Ceri - Blood Cancer UK Support Services
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Hi @Braveart
I am sorry to read about your mum and that she is in constant pain. This must be so difficult for you both. As Ceri mentioned, do let her team know that the morphine is not helping her back pain as they can adjust the dose.
Has your mum expressed what her wishes are regarding treatment? Whilst she is 87, I suspect Lenalidmide has been offered to help with her pain. Whilst the side effects can be frightening to read, in elderly patients, they are normally prescribed a very small dose and will be monitored closely
Does your mum have a Clinical Nurse Specialist that you can speak to about your concerns and help you both make the right decision. We would also be very happy to talk things through with you in more detail if helpful on 0808 2080 888 option 1
Kindest regards
Fiona (support services nurse)
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