Neuropathy - January 7 2012

The neuropathy in my fingers seems to be getting worse or I'm just noticing it more here in the cold weather of Idaho. My fingers hurt when they get cold. I have stopped taking L-Glutamine as it may support myeloma tumor growth (see http://multiplemyelomablog.com/2012/01/another-supplement-to-avoid-especially-before-during-and-immediately-after-a-transplant-l-glutamine.html) - Thanks Danny Parker.

I decided to make and keep a rating scale for the neuropathy (numbness and tingling) that I'm experiencing in my fingers and left great toe (I don't seem to have any in my other toes). I made the scale up myself - 0 to 5. 0 = no neuropathy and 5 is TERRIBLE BAD. I don't know if I'm going to have to reduce my Velcade dosage (1.7 mg) or not. I had my last dose of intravenous Velcade on December 26 2012 (1st Cycle Velcade Mainenance). I'm on Day 5 of 14 of my Revlimid 10 mg (2nd Maintenance Cycle). I am especially aware of the neuropathy when I type on the computer.

No Place Like Home - December 28 2011

I slept like a rock last night from 7 PM to 4:30 AM. My chest wall is SORE to the touch - I guess driving all day yesterday was a workout for very unused muscles. I still have a bit of neuropathy in fingertips, especially on my left hand. I've continued to take my L-Glutamine protein powder 3 times a day and I think that is helping. My tongue and taster are off --- but, no matter, there is NO PLACE LIKE HOME!

Happily, the internet and television were restarted this morning. Technology is hard to be without in this day and age.

Jani and I took Zoe and Kemmer up the Mine Hill in Jonah (1999 Honda Passport) and parked. We walked along the BLM Road toward the Mackay Dam. Since I still have a blood clot in my heart, we just strolled along the mostly flat road at an elevation of 6,230 feet. I took my finger heart rate/puls ox monitor and my pulse never exceeded 90. I don't see the doctor until January 4 2012. Don't know who was happier - me or the dogs running free!

It was spitting snow and a huge cloud bank covered Mt. McCaleb (behind Jani below). No wind and it was not cold.

Our walk route maps. I only walked 0.25 miles and then back to Jonah for a total of 0.5 miles. Jani and the dogs walked on without me and then I drove in Jonah to pick them up. So, Jani's total distance was 1 mile. Wonderful to be OUT in the Big Lost River Valley - Making a bee line for the Mine Hill was a the top of my list. 

When we got home, I found a live lady bug in the living room - I'm taking that as good omen. Don't know how it has survived??

Day 98 - Neuropathy - December 20 2011

Well, I've started to get a bit of neuropathy on the fingertips of my left hand that I experience as numbness and some tingling. I've had 3 weeks of intravenous Velcade 1.7 mg/Dex 20 mg with one more week to go (December 26th) and I finished 14 days of oral Revlimid 10 mg yesterday.

I've started back on the L-Glutamine protein powder which might help. My Fort Collins, Colorado oncologist, Dr. James Moore suggested I take L-Glutamine Powder 10 g dose 3 times a day when I was getting my induction chemotherarpy before my stem cell transplant. I did not experience any neuropathy in my fingers at that time. I mix the powder in a bit of grape juice and it is easy to get down.

I'm also more constipated this round than before. I've taken 4 Senna S and 2 Magnesium 500 tablets each night and have had very little results. Tomorrow, I might have to drink the Miralax Papaya Banana Apple Protein Shake that Danny Parker gave me the recipe for. For me, constipation is the worst side effect.

L-Glutamine, B6, B12 Anti-Neuropathy Side Effect Medication