Hi Lorraine:
My husband is an 11 year survivor of plasmacytoma and full blown multiple myeloma. He was diagnosed by a test called "bone
marrow biopsy" at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn. I don't where you live, but a trip to Mayo Clinic might give you the answers
you are looking to receive concerning your health. Hubby is on revlimid now in the relapse phase of the disease and is doing
fairly well considering he is now 86 years old. Sleeps a lot and is very tired all the time; but does enjoy a movie almost every
day. There are a lot of good medicines out there now that didn't exist when we first started this journey. Good luck, Ozy

I was diagnosed with MM in 2004 yet didn't start treatment until June 2016. I was diagnosed at Mayo and followed there as well as with my local hematologist/oncologist. If you think I might be of some help, please feel free to reach out to me. Your path has been more difficult than has been mine. I an in PA.

@ozys Thanks for your encouraging post to @lorrainechavez. I am happy to hear that your husband found some relief from his symptoms as a result of his trip to Mayo.

@lorrainechavez Thanks for sharing your story with us. I am sorry to hear of these difficult symptoms that you have experienced. I hope that you will get some resolution and treatment soon. If you are comfortable sharing more information, please let us know what the next step will be in your treatment and/or diagnosis. Teresa

Hello Lorraine,

I also have multiple Myeloma (MM). Was identified 2 years ago. MM was my 2nd cancer. I vowed I'd be as informed as I possibly could before treatment began. For 2 weeks I Googled, learned foreign vocab, practiced saying these foreign medical words, learned about treatments , side effects, first course of meds and was even able to attend a support group for more insight.

The identifying test I had was blood work for Lambda and Kappas and then a full skeletal x ray. All classic MM
I began a treatment of Velcade (shot in office) and dexamethasone ((dex) (taken orally/pill form) weekly. I responded well cutting my #'s in 1/2. Treatment was changed after 2 months to Velcade and dex weekly AND Revlimid (Rev ) (taken orally/pill form)) 3 out of 4 weeks. I am currently doing the same and doing well.

There are also other meds you're put on. One is a daily anti fungal, the other a daily anti bacterial, & weekly a bone strengthener FOSSOMAX. The first 2 protect you from any other illnesses that will interrupt treatment Fossomax, or its generic alendronate, is to keep the bones strong. I also take a calcium supplement. After 2 years my bone density is still normal & hasn't deviated from 4 years ago. These 3 drugs are to be prescribed when treatment begins.
Please note if your reaction to DEX is overwhelming it can be divided over 2 or even 3 days.

Initially, a doc tried to convince me into a bone marrow transplant prior to beginning meds. I refused.

One more thing. It's essential you consume only nutritionally dense foods & eliminate the rest. Whether its for MM or any other physical ailment, this will put your body at top fighting capacity, reduce inflammation & improve or stabilize your immune system.

Your test result should be back no later than weeks end.

You are the captain of your treatment and your doc is your co captain. When in doubt as to what your doc says, tell your doc you will go home to study and research what was proposed. Do so via google, phone calls to the Leukemia Society, the MM International foundation and through this forum.

Ellen

@mamaellie Hi Ellen: Thanks for sharing your story with Mayo Connect. You provided a lot of information about meds and other treatments. You have also been very proactive in your treatment. I like that you describe your relationship with your doctor as captain and co-captain. Best wishes to you as you continue to navigate your treatment. Teresa

Thank you for the information. Do you go to Mayo? I've been to two doctors there but no one has suggested the anti fungal, anti bacterial or the Fossamax. 
They sound like they would be very helpful. 

Linda

Hello,

No. I did not go to Mayo. I'm in the Chicago area. I was identified at Rush. My treatment began at Northwestern. I am now at Lutheran General.

The 3 you responded about were begun simultaneously (spelling?) with the actual treatment along with a script for anti nausea med. Thankfully that one has never been needed.

Thank you so much! I will do that.