TIRED Sums Up The Day - November 3 2012

I've just been TIRED all day. Had two - hour long nadirs (naps) mid-day and early evening. Day 5 of 21 for Revlimid 10 mg (Cycle 1). My scalp continues to itch, but the hives on my belly have improved.

I did manage to trudge down to the Big Lost River Smelter Bridge with Kemmer (1.2 miles).

 Still swollen with the steroid look. Another beautiful day!

Revlimid Rash Begins - November 2 2012

Did take long for me to get the Revlimid rash and itch - Day 4 of 21. Began with itching of my scalp and rash on my abdomen above my navel. I put steroid cream on my abdomen and that helped some. 

This is the 3rd time since I was diagnosed with multiple myeloma that I've been on Revlimid and each time I've reacted with rash and itching.

1. Revlimid 25 mg was used  in my initial treatment along with Velcade to get my plasma cells down enough for apheresis to bank my stem cells
2. Revlimid 10 mg was used after my 1st autologous stem cell transplant along with Velcade as maintenance
3. Revlimid 10 mg is being used with carfilzomib as I relapsed after my 2nd autologous stem cell transplant and failed on zolinza

If the itch doesn't get much worse, I think I can tolerate it. I do not want to take Benadryl. 

I walked Kemmer 1.2 miles to the Big Lost River Smelter Bridge. Beautiful day here in Mackay, Idaho. I am MORE TIRED than I've been since before I started the carfilzomib and Revlimid, but I'm pushing myself to stay active. Vacuumed the whole house too.

My wild silky thin hair.

Walked 1.18 Miles - February 7 2012

Despite being tired, I walked Kemmer just to the Big Lost River Smelter Bridge (1.18 miles). The snow is beginning to melt and the mud is on - ugh.

I'm on Day 8 of 14 of my Revlimid 10 mg. My gastritis is much improved, but my skin has ITCHY, little red blotches here and there (several on my right arm and left side of my abdomen and one on my back). I put steroid cream on the itchy spots and that seems to help settle the ITCH some.

Hives from Revlimid are back after 9th Dose of 14 August 3 2011

I'm been lucky during my second cycle of Revlimid 25 mg which I started on July 26 2011 and have not had any hives until today (Day 9 of 10). I broke out in hives on my belly and I was able to control the itching with hydrocortisone ointment. I only have to take one more dose tomorrow before I stop the Revlimid in preparation for my stem cell harvest on August 16th.

Walked 2.0 miles in Taylor Canyon this morning July 20 2011

Zoe, Jani, Kemmer, and jm. As requested by my doctor, I'm wearing long sleeves and long pants along with my hat to limit my exposure to the sun. My Revlimid rash is all but gone - just have a couple of thick dry patch red areas on my waist line where the hives were the worst. Sure glad I invested in light-weight hiking clothes because it was HOT today.

Finished 14 days of Revlimid (July 5-18 2011)

I finished my first 14 day supply of Revlimid tonight. I started on July 5 2011. On day July 9 2011 (Day 5), my scalp felt like it was on fire with itching and I broke out with hives on my torso, back and thighs. I took Benadryl with the Revlimid after that so I could continue taking the all important medicine. On July 16 2011 (Day 12), I took one Zyrtec pill for the Revlimid rash and itching which was the WRONG thing to do. I had a TERRIBLE REACTION to Zyrtec and will never take it AGAIN! On July 18 2011 (Day 14), my Revlimid rash has dissipated and the areas of the largest hives has turned to thickened red skin.

Now, I am off all chemotherapy for 7 days until July 26 2011 when I will start my 3rd cycle of Velcade/Decadron/Aloxi and my 2nd cycle of Revlimid (14 days out of every 21).

Lost a whole day to Zyrtec July 16 2011

I took an over-the-counter antihistamine, Zyrtec, for my itchy Revlimid rash this morning, July 16 2011 and WHAT A MISTAKE!  I felt like I was going to crawl out of my skin, was dizzy, and just wanted to sleep - so, I did ALL DAY~ and ALL NIGHT~

Revlimid rash continues tonight July 11 2011

I still have my Revlimid rash tonight, July 11 2011, but it does not itch. Here is a photo of one of the patches on my anterior lower abdomen. Dr. Moore suggests that I continue the cortisone cream for the spots that bother me the most, but I haven't needed any steriod cream application so far today.

Benadryl is my new BFF~ Monday July 11 2011

I took my 25 mg of Revlimid with 25 mg of Benadryl at bedtime last night. I still have hives on my torso and my scalp only feels 1/2 as much on fire as Saturday, but I'm not itching like I was. I slept pretty soundly too - so, that was good.

I will have to adust to the Benadryl "hangover" feeling - but, at least it has enabled me to take my Revlimid which is KEY to my bone marrow recovery. So, Benadryl is my new Best Friend (hopefully, not FOREVER).

Revlimid rash and itching somewhat better this morning July 10 2011

I took 25 mg of Benadryl again at 1 AM and woke with hives in just a few areas on my abdomen and sides this morning. Jani helped me put steroid cream on those areaes. The skin on my torso and back still feel scalded, but not as bad. Will delay my 6th dose of Revlimid 25 mg until tonight when I can take Benadryl 25 mg with it.



A New Problem - Itchin'in Colorado July 9 2011

I took my 5th daily dose of 14 of Revlimid 25 mg this morning. By mid-morning, my scalp was itching. By mid-afternoon, I felt like the skin on my torso was scalded as if someone had SLAPPED me HARD all over. I called Sandy Baird to ask if she ever had an itchy scalp from Revlimid and she said she hadn't, but that her pharmacist suggested she have steroid cream on hand just in case.


I looked online and everything said if you developed itching, you should let your health care provider know right away. So,called my oncologist’s office and got an automated answering machine that said to PUSH 3 if calling after hours (it’s Saturday), so I pushed 3 and IMMEDIATELY, I heard, “This is Dr. Moore.” I asked the male voice if this was the answering service for Dr. Moore and he said, "NO, this is Dr. Moore." I couldn’t believe my good fortune –since Dr. Moore is my ULTRA FINE oncologist and just happened to be on call today and answered the phone himself.

I told Dr. Moore about the itching and he suggested I rub my head with either Benadryl cream or steroid cream and take a Benadryl pill. Jani sprayed my scalp with steroid spray and I took the Benadryl 25 mg at 5:30 PM and slept until 9 PM which is totally NOT ME~!  I still feel like my skin is scalded…but, I’m not itching as much. Dr. Moore really wants me to try and work through the itching and stay on Revlimid because I need it.  I’m just hoping I can tolerate it or the Benadryl.  A little medicine has always gone a long way with me – and it is not surprising that the Benadryl did me in tonight. I also clipped my fingernails short, so if I do scratch, I won't do as much damage.

Maybe I should take the Revlimid at night along with Benadryl instead of in the morning. I think I'm going to try that out tomorrow - skipping my morning dose and not taking it until bedtime along with a Benadryl pill.