C-B-D Myeloma- Anti-angiogenic

Hi Henry-

I am sorry to read of your dad’s MM diagnosis though, at the same time I am impressed that he was able to stabilize his MM with non-toxic therapies. At least that is my interpretation of your account.

In response to your question about your father’s therapy plan going forward, his treatment depends on how much MM (monoclonal cells) is in his blood/bone marrow. In other words, he/you may have stabilized his MM yet there is probably still MM in his bone marrow.

Your father’s future therapy plan depends on your goals. How much MM is your dad comfortable living with? It is important to point out that if he has diagnostic indicators (immunoglobulins, freelight chains, monoclonal proteins aka an m-spike etc.) high or low, he may want to undergo some chemo in an effort to reduce his MM.

My point is, you have choices depending on your dad’s diagnostic information.

If you would like to discuss this fully, I would need to study his diagnostic info in order go assess where his MM is. I can do this analysis with a consultation.

This is your call. Let me know if you have any questions.

David Emerson

Hi Ryan,

I replied to your post directly via email.

thanks,

David Emerson

Hi Denise- I am replying to this post directly via email. Thanks

Hi Giyoh,

Yes, we offer the MM cancer coaching program. I will link the sales page below.

https://peoplebeatingcancer.org/better-than-a-miracle-myeloma-cure/

Let me know if you have any questions.

David Emerson

Hi Brian- I have replied to your post via your email address. Let me know if you have any questions.

David Emerson

Hi Tonya,

From your email, it appears that you have early stage MM, perhaps even pre-myeloma. While your hemoglobin levels are low, as you say, your anemia can result from other issues.

You are smart not to “rush into therapy.” Especially if you are pre-MM. I also agree with your thinking about getting a second opinion from a MM specialist. If you do have full-blown MM and if you do decide to undergo treatment, MM specialists, according to numerous studies, offer a much longer average survival.

Regarding your question about recommending a CBD oil. Each state, each dispensary, may sell different strains CBD oil. Therefore, the key is to purchase the highest percentage (%) of cannabinoids IN the CBD oil. Further, research is thin on this issue, but a small percentage of THC enhances the anti-MM properties of CBD oil.

So the key is to purchase a CBD oil with high % of cannabinoids (15-20%) as well as a small % of THC.

Regarding your spirits, anxiety, etc. Other non-toxic therapies show to be cytotoxic to MM are also inflammatory and shown to moderate depression. Curcumin, green tea extract, both are shown to be anti-MM and anti-anxiety.

Last thing- if you can tell me any of your testing- blood, urine, etc. that indicated that you have MM, I can offer you feedback. In other words, if your bone marrow biopsy indicated abnormal cells of less than 30%, you have pre-MM, not full MM.

Also, a monoclonal protein aka m-spike of less than 3.0 is pre-MM, not full MM.

I mention this because you may be able to remain in a pre-MM stage for years. Perhaps even for the rest of your life.

Let me know, thanks.

David Emerson
MM Survivor
Director PeopleBeatingCancer

Hi William/Bill-

I am sorry to read of your bone pain. I have several questions and then I will offer you possible therapies to manage your bone pain.

First and foremost, what is your status post auto stem cell transplant. Meaning, what was the result of your therapy? Partial, Very Good Partial, Complete, etc. remission? I ask this because your treatment is designed to kill all active MM and therefore address your bone damage/pain.

Possible therapies include:

CBD oil (depending on state, strain, dose),

local radiation (this worked for me- but discussion of location of pain is important),

more chemotherapy (but this requires discussion about your overall therapy plan) and

acupunture (but again, location is important).

Therapies such as anti-MM nutrition, supplementation and lifestyle therapies are long term solutions to MM.

Let me know if you have any questions.

Hang in there,

David Emerson

Hi Tizpora-

The studies of CBD and MM are few and refer to CBD/THC as possibly being cytotoxic to MM directly. The research is more specific about CBD synergizing with specific MM chemotherapy regimens such as Velcade and kyprolis to enhance the anti-MM efficacy of the chemotherapy as well as CBD.

The next question you may ask is about the dosing and the strain or type of CBD. The studies I’ve read cite dosing of CBD under a person’s tongue daily, increasing the dose as needed. As for the strain, studies refer only to “high cannabinoid” strains. Different states sell different strains. The link below is to a blog post about high cannabinoid strains.

Lastly, I have spoken to a couple of clients who take protocel/enteleve/cancell but I know of no studies/research that outlines specifc benefit. I just don’t know enough…

https://peoplebeatingcancer.org/5-high-cannabinoids-percentages-c-b-d-oil-strains-for-cancer/

David

Hi Karen,

Non-secretory MM is so rare that I am happy to communicate with another one. I’ve talked with only one or two in the past 25 years. Yes, my oncologist also had a difficult time with my diagnosis. I don’t have my lab notes handy but I will track them down (drawer somewhere…) and share my m-spike, beta-2, etc. These values were normal at first but did increase a bit once my MM progressed.

I had a single plasmayctoma in my C5 at diagnosis and faint evidence of another lesion in my hip bones and a lesion in my skull that also caused confusion.

The single most important aspect for both of us is that we were diagnosed early. Your prognosis is much better based on stage 1. Please tell your husband that I agree with him about being anti-toxicity. Your challenge will be to navigate, walk the fine line between damage caused by chemo/radiation and damage caused by your MM. Your bone damage is an example of this.

Re CBD. Two things. First, there are strains of CBD oil with little or no THC. Second, cannabidiol enhances the anti-MM action of Velcade/bortezomib. The cannabis guide outlines these issues as does the integrative therapies guide.

An autologous stem cell transplant is an open question for you (in my opinion). At least the timing of it. An ASCT is a lot of toxicity so you may want to hold off.

We can discuss the above issues and more later.

Hang in there,

David Emerson

Hi Peter-

I am sorry to learn of your MM diagnosis. Depending on your stage and blood work however, a person can live with MM for a long time. Several things.

CBD oil has been shown to integrate with two MM chemotherapy regimens- I don’t know if carfilzomib is covered by the NHS but I’m pretty sure bortezomib (velcade) is. I understand that you said that you would prefer not to undergo chemotherapy. Taking a non-toxic approach is difficult with MM and depends on your age, stage at diagnosis, symptoms, etc. Also, CBD has been shown to stregthen bones.

The effects of cannabidiol and its synergism with bortezomib in multiple myeloma cell lines. A role for transient receptor potential vanilloid type-2.

Cannabinoids synergize with carfilzomib, reducing multiple myeloma cells viability and migration

Research of CBD and MM is limited but some studies indicate that CBD is cytotoxic to MM. The degree of cytotoxicity depends on the cannabinoid content in the CBD oil you are taking. It depends on how high the percentage of cannabinoids is.

Further, there are a number of non-toxic antioxidants such as curcumin and resveratrol that also integrate or synergize with different chemotherapies. I will email a list to of integrative theraies to your email address.

Do you know your stage of MM? Your m-spike? Blood testing is common for MM. It is important to know your serum calcium, creatinine, red blood cells, white blood cells, etc.

Are you experiencing any other symptoms? Do any other bones hurt?

My approach or my experience anyway, is to combine evidence-based non-toxic therapies with as little toxic therapies as possible.

David Emerson

Hi Jennifer-

I will reply to your email via your email address now.

David Emerson

Hi Issy,

Yes, I have information about Darzelex aka Daratumumab. Like all chemotherapy regimens there are pros and cons. In order to focus our discussion, let me understand your husband’s situation better by asking a couple of questions.

1) What, if any, previous therapies has your husband had?

2) What is your husband’s current status? Relapsed/refractory? M-spike, etc?

3) What previous chemotherapy regimens has your husband already undergone?

4) lastly, how old is your husband? How is his health? Had he experienced any side effects previously?

thanks,

David Emerson

Hi Nina-

The challenge with “the best kind of CBD oil” is that there is no standardization accross the country. Studies cite the most efficatious CBD being the highest percentage of cannabinoids. Some patients want a specific ratio of cannabinoids to THC. The only branding I know of for CBD oil is charlotte’s web.

Hi Denise-

I am sorry to learn of your MM diagnosis. What symptoms are you experiencing (bone pain, kidney damage, etc)? What therapies are you considering? Do you have any questions?

David Emerson

Hi Maureen,

I am sorry to learn of your MM diagnosis. Though your paraprotein level is rising, at 20 your blood level remains fairly low.

High blood calcium levels signal bone involvement. Are you feeling any bone pain?

At 73, it is probable that your MM is relatively slow growing. This may mean that you can undergo low levels of chemotherapy and still keep
your MM at manageable levels.

Are you experiencing any other problems such as kidney involvement (creatinine) or thick blood?

What type of chemotherapy did you undergo “14 months back?”

Hang in there,

David Emerson

Hi Tashina,

Being epileptic drugs, I am not familiar with those listed in the study that you asked about. Research into CBD and MM is thin. You are correct, I wrote about and linked a study that cited CBD’s ability to enhance the efficacy of Velcade. Also, CBD has been shown to enhance bone health. Many MMers asking about bone pain also want to know about CBD/THC.

I wish I could answer your questions. I rely heavily on research about MM. If the research isn’t available, I can’t write about it.

David Emerson

Hi Kimberly-

I am sorry you have kidney damage and nerve pain. Yes, CBD may able to help. Keep in mind that you should dose the correct strain.

More evidence cannabis can help in neuropathic pain

Good luck,

David Emerson

Hi Sam,

I am sorry to read of your MM diagnosis. The importance and or urgency of induction chemotherapy (Thal, Bort and Dex.) depends on your stage at diagnosis. The more MM inside you the more important/urgent chemo will be to calm your MM to bring you back to normal.

It sounds as though you are experiencing a lot of bone involvement. You might even have a fractured vertebra or two. My suggestion is that you include integrative therapies to your regimen in order to manage the toxicity of your chemotherapy.

I will email you the integrative therapies guide- one of the 13 guides that make up the MM Cancer Coaching program. I encourage you to combine both conventional (FDA approved- as little as possible) with evidence-based, non-conventional, non-toxic therapies.

Let me know if you have any questions.

David Emerson

Hi Jessica-

I am sorry to learn of your dad’s MM diagnosis. Your dad’s prognosis and therapy plan depend on his symptoms such as bone involvement as well as his stage. The bone survey (x-rays) that he had last week can tell you and your oncologist a lot about how aggressively or not he needs to treat his MM.

You can be optimistic in that your dad is relatively young as MMers go and sounds relatively healthy. I will email you some basic information about “integrative” therapies. There are evidence-based, non-toxic therapies that, like cannabis, can enhance the efficacy of MM chemotherapy.

My guess is that the pills that your oncologist is talking about is Ninlaro which is the pill form of bortezomib aka Velcade. Please read about the therapies that can enhance velcade while minimizing collateral damage aka side effects.

I know this will sound self-serving but I encourage you to read the cancer coaching guides that come with the MM Cancer Coaching program. Research and experience has shown me that MMers do better by combining the best of conventional therapies with evidenced-based non-toxic therapies.

I will include the introduction to the MM CC program in my email. Once you read about integrative therapies let me know if you have any questions.

Hang in there,

David Emerson

Hi Mary-

I will email the MM CC program guide about Integrative Supplementation during MM therapy. This guide is one of 13 guides in the MM CC program. The cannabis guide has a link to a study citing the ability of CBD to enhance bortezomib. Yes, I think Zometa is an important piece of standard therapy for MMers. However I also believe strongly in those evidence-based supplements that have been shown to enhance bone mineral density. These therapies are outlined in the bone health guide.

I will send you MM CC info now. Thanks.

David Emerson

Hi Ashlyn-

No I don’t think you jumped the gun by changing your husband’s diet if you are talking about basics such as no artificial sweeteners, fewer carbs, less/no red meat. Cachexia has to do with possible cancer and the inflammation that comes with a cancer diagnosis.

I am both a MM survivor and MM cancer coach. This is why I know so much about MM. I cancer coach and blog through the non-profit I manage, PeopleBeatingCancer and have been doing so since 2004.

I encourage you to watch the free webinar linked on the top right of the page to learn about the multiple myeloma cancer coaching program that I designed based on my experiences.

I recommend that you not purchase the MM CC program until you know more about your husband’s diagnosis. And yes, I encourage you to continue to ask questions in the meantime.

David

Hi Ashlyn-
The immunoglobulin deficiency you speak of has to do with your husband’s m-spike. You should receive a complete explanation when you receive his formal staging info.

Re the curcumin. Yes, coconut oil and pepper will enhance your husband’s ability to absorb the curcumin. I am too lazy to prepare my curcumin supplementation this way so I buy the capsules. I also supplement with several other things that research has shown are cytotoxic to MM.

The only other issue for you to consider is your husband’s rapid weight loss. If this is a symptom called cachexia then this may be an issue.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cachexia

My advice is for you to confirm the diagnosis (still not clear if your husband has MM or not), the stage and therapy plan. The TP is when your oncologist will outline his/her recommendation for treatment.

Again, if your husband is “pre-MM” and not full blown MM then you may not want to begin toxic treatment.

Please keep in touch.

David Emerson

Hi Ashlyn-

I am sorry to read of your husband’s MM diagnosis. Your husband is exhibiting several positive indicators and only one negative indicator. I will list each and encourage you to ask your oncologist for specific results. In other words, you need more diagnostic info to rule out possibilities. To put it another way, with no CRAB symptoms your husband is asymptomatic or pre-MM. Not Cancer.

Your husband’s age, zero bone involvement and asymptomatic status are all positive indicators. A plasma cell count of 15-25% puts him in MM diagnostic territory but it is unique to have only one indication. Has anyone told you his monoclonal protein aka “m-spike?”

Yes, I would get a second opinion from a MM specialist. Mayo in Phoenix, AZ should have knowledgable MM drs. Please ask your onc. about your husband’s kidney function, red blood cell count (anemia- has your husband been exhausted a lot lately), and blood viscosity.

With regard to daily turmeric. curcumin/turmeric is notoriously difficult for the human body to absorb. There are several formulations, brands that are much more bioavailable. I recommend Doctor’s Best Curcumin or the brand I take Life Extension Super BioCurcumin. I would start with one capsule daily with food.

It is possible that your oncologist will encourage you to begin chemotherapy asap. Because of your husband’s age and lack of symptoms I encourage you to not begin toxic therapy for as long as you can. I am a long term MMer and MM Cancer Coach. Experience has taught me that if your husband is young and pre-MM then he may be able to manage his blood disorder through evidence-based non-toxic therapies.

Sorry for the long email. Let me know if you have any questions.

Hang in there,

David Emerson

Hi Klara-

Your job now will be to try to achieve the deepest, longest remission possible for your dad. Experience and research has taught me that your dad’s best option will be to live an evidence-based, non-conventional, anti-MM lifestyle encompassed in the MM Cancer Coaching program. The program is basically what I have been doing to keep me in complete remission from my own MM since ’99.

To learn more about the MM CC program please watch the free webinar contained in the link below. Let me know if you have any questions.

MM Cancer Coaching Webinar

David Emerson

Hi Maria-

I am sorry to learn of your dad’s MM diagnosis. Several things to consider. Yes, CBD oil has been shown to work synergistically with specific chemotherapies. However you must live in one of the states that has legalized medical marijuana. Further, if you buy CBD oil you must buy an oil that has a minimum percentage of cannabinoids. The percentage of THC also is cytotoxic to MM yet this is the component that gets one high. Your dad might not like the feeling.

Lastly, there are specific foods and supplements that will help your dad’s chemotherapy- these are called integrative therapies. All based on research.

How old is your dad? Is he experiencing any symptoms such as bone pain, tiredness (anemia) and or kidney damage? His symptoms will influence what chemotherapy and or radiation he undergoes.

Regarding your question about your dad’s immune function once chemotherapy begins, the oncologist will know about the side effect that you refer to. As I mention above, evidence-based integrative therapies will help minimize this side effect.

David Emerson

Well done Qaz- hang in there,

David

Hi Teri-

I am sorry to read of what may turn out to be a MM diagnosis. Though just by doing research you are ahead of the game. If you take anything from my MM experience it should be that MM is treatable. Yes, MM is considered to be incurable by conventional oncology but as you have read, conventional cancer treatment is only part of the issue.

You referred to previous testing. Do you know your “monoclonal protein” (m-spike) level? Serum calcium levels? How old are you? How is your health otherwise? I don’t mean to sound nosy. I’m just trying to get a sense of where you are.

Depending on your stage at diagnosis, symptoms and personal goals you may not need chemo, may need a little chemo or may need a lot of chem. Please contact me again once you have a firm diagnosis.

Hang in there,

David Emerson