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Multiple Myeloma an incurable disease, but I have spent the last 25 years in remission using a blend of conventional oncology and evidence-based nutrition, supplementation, and lifestyle therapies from peer-reviewed studies that your oncologist probably hasn't told you about.
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Myeloma Diagnosis – Light Chain Disease, Bone Lesions, CyBorD-
“…On the CRAB scale for my myeloma diagnosis only the bone lesions are positive with no kidney or red blood cell issues… My first set of drugs were Dexamethasone, Cyclophosphomide and Bortezomib (CyBorD)…”
Hi David- I am still finding out bits of information about my myeloma diagnosis (MM) as its early with all the blood and marrow tests. What I do know is that on the CRAB scale only the bone lesions are positive with no kidney or red blood cell issues or calcium in the blood. Many lesions in my spine, pelvis, sternum and ribs. The ribs are painful and that was why I went for tests. I’ve had my first round of CyBorD.
I have just come back from the hospital after my first round of CyBorD. The specialist Dr. Smith came highly recommended and is very knowledgeable in all the latest drugs available and keeps up to date with research, studies and drugs. He tells me I am young and strong enough to get through this.
All the bone marrow tests are not in but he tells me it’s a light chain disease with the more in depth results to follow.
My first set of drugs were Dexamethasone, Cyclophamide and Bortezomib (CyBorD).
This will be a weekly outpatient visit as my first dose they kept me in overnight and tested my blood before and after.
Treatment will start for 16 weeks which may change depending on results. Then a stem cell transplant (from myself ) with more chemo which will put me in the hospital for three weeks.
After that monitoring and then maintenance drugs, I think Lenalidomide was mentioned but again may change with results.
I know this is a very complex disease and one treatment doesn’t fit all.
I hope I am doing the right thing, and following a heathy diet to get me into a long remission.
Any advice or extra things to do would be much appreciated.
I am also considering using cannabis oil as another option in conjunction. Do you have any views on this ?
Thank you for any advice. Morris
Hi Morris-
I am sorry to read of your myeloma diagnosis. I am going to break down your email below in order to comment on each issue specifically.
1) Ok, I am still finding out bits of information as its early with all the blood and marrow tests.
Your decision of course but if you email me your test files I can study them and provide you with more specific info about your myeloma diagnosis- blood testing, imaging testing, etc.
2) What I do know is that on the CRAB scale only the bone lesions are positive with no kidney or red blood cell issues or calcium in the blood. Many lesions in my spine, pelvis, sternum and ribs. The ribs are painful and that was why I went for tests.
Good news, bad news. No kidney involvement, red blood cells in normal range, both good. Extensive bone involvement, not so good.
3) I have just come back from the Hospital after my first round of Chemo. The specialist Dr. Smith came highly recommended and is very knowledgeable in all the latest drugs, therapies and keeps up to date with current research. He tells me I am young and strong enough to get through this.
Working with MM specialists can result in a better outcome. Please read the “Integrative Therapies” MM CC guide to consider non-toxic supplementation to enhance your chemotherapy. Young and strong will result in a much better prognosis.
4) My first set of drugs were Dexamethasone, Cyclophosphomide and Bortezomib (CRd).
Remember that all three chemo regimens above often cause short, long-term and late stage side effects.
5) Treatment will start for 16 weeks which may change depending on results. Then a stem cell transplant ( from myself ) with more chemo which will put me in the hospital for three weeks.
The “results” that you refer to, that may impact your decision as to have an ASCT sooner, later, or ever, is how your MM responds to your induction therapy. If you reach
A) complete remission (CR)
B) stringent complete remission (sCR)
c) minimal residual disease positive or negative- (MRD + or -)
If you reach any of the above, be sure to have a talk with your oncologist because it is an open question if more therapy will result in LONGER overall survival (length of life). Chemotherapy is toxic and toxicity damages even the young, strong body. Less is more as they say.
6) After that monitoring and then maintenance drugs, I think Lenalidomide was mentioned but again may change with results.
Low-dose maintenance therapy of Lenalidomide (revlimid) is standard therapy. Again, please consider anti-angiogenic foods, supplements to enhance Revlimid.
7) I know this is a very complex disease and one treatment doesn’t fit all. I hope I am doing the right thing, and following a heathy diet to get me into a long remission.
While your actions and lifestyle cannot guarantee any results, you are INCREASING the odds in your favor. Lifestyle, nutrition, supplements, etc. tip the MM playing field in the right direction.
8) Any advice or extra things to do would be much appreciated.
I don’t mean to sound like a broken record but please read the MM CC guides especially A) integrative therapies guide B) nutrition guide and C) supplementation guide
9) I am also considering using cannabis oil as another option in conjunction. Do you have any views on this ?
I can’t speak to the legality issues but I will attach the MM CC Cannabis guide below. Cannabinoids have been shown to enhance the efficacy of Lenalidomide (revlimid), help MM patients with bone pain and may even by cytotoxic to MM itself.
The key is to find a CBD oil strain with a high percentage of cannabidiol and low percentage of THC
Let me know if you have any questions. Hang in there,
David Emerson
- MM Survivor
- MM Cancer Coach
- Director PeopleBeatingCancer
Recommended Reading:
Cannabinoids As Antimyeloma Agents: a New Approach for the Treatment of Multiple Myeloma
“CONCLUSIONS: Cannabinoids have a very selective antitumor effect against MM cells. This effect involves activation of apoptosis processes and alterations in the composition of membrane sphingolipids (ceramides). In vivo studies confirmed the efficacy of these agents in the treatment of MM. This study lays the groundwork for the design of new anti-myeloma therapies…”
Update on the optimal use of bortezomib in the treatment of multiple myeloma
“The proteasome inhibitor (PI) “bortezomib” has now been in routine clinical practice for over a decade. It is now considered an important backbone therapy for all stages of the disease, and data continue to grow to support its use in newly diagnosed patients, relapsed and relapsed/refractory disease, maintenance therapy, high risk, and renal failure…”