Myeloma: Revlimid and steroids: How quickly do side effects subside?

I’m doing remarkably well. All of my blood counts have rebounded and I was home after 14 days in the hospital! I have been walking 1 to 2 miles a day to help with energy levels. Still have some afternoon fatigue and doing my best to get my appetite back.
Overall I am blessed to have very little side effects and recovering well after 28 days.

Thanks so much for checking in on me and would be glad to assist anyone with any questions or to give any insights on my stem cell journey.
Have a blessed thanksgiving and holiday season. I got this!

I new to this connect web site. I have multiple myeloma, osteoporosis and 4 fractures in my back that aren’t really as painful as when first discovered. (One collapsed) I have one issue that I don’t have an answer to. I take 5 Dexamethasone at 5:30am on my Wednesday chemo injection day. Last Wednesday evening I started burning when I urinated. I drank a lot of water. Went to bed but couldn’t sleep. It was still burning. Tried many times to urinate because it kept burning. Only trickled. Finally at 4:00am, I found my OTC AZO, took 2 and I finally fell asleep. I have E Coli I was told and am on Sulfamethoxazole-ole-tmp DDs for 5 days. But yesterday the same thing happened at night. Must of gone to bathroom 6 times, but it still burnt. Took otc AZO again, but just weakened the burning. I’ve already taken half of the Sulfamethoxazole…………. I’m guessing it has something to do with the steroid pills I take all 5 at 5:30am. But ????? It’s Thanksgiving and I’m not going to be able to get an answer today, but I will try to get one Friday. I started chemo in June this year. Any one have the same experience?

My husband had his stem cell transplant yesterday Nov. 23 rd. Having a hard time getting the nausea under control. Have tried lots of meds.. Any recommendations on any particular meds working the best? Thanks

Hi @caroljonae, don't you hate it when these concerning health issues come up during the holidays. I'm tagging @gingerw on this message in the hopes that she may have to tips to offer.

Carol, did you have the same symptoms of burning last night? Were you able to get in touch with your doctor this moring? I agree that this needs to be investigated even if the symptoms have subsided.

I new to this connect web site. I have multiple myeloma, osteoporosis and 4 fractures in my back that aren’t really as painful as when first discovered. (One collapsed) I have one issue that I don’t have an answer to. I take 5 Dexamethasone at 5:30am on my Wednesday chemo injection day. Last Wednesday evening I started burning when I urinated. I drank a lot of water. Went to bed but couldn’t sleep. It was still burning. Tried many times to urinate because it kept burning. Only trickled. Finally at 4:00am, I found my OTC AZO, took 2 and I finally fell asleep. I have E Coli I was told and am on Sulfamethoxazole-ole-tmp DDs for 5 days. But yesterday the same thing happened at night. Must of gone to bathroom 6 times, but it still burnt. Took otc AZO again, but just weakened the burning. I’ve already taken half of the Sulfamethoxazole…………. I’m guessing it has something to do with the steroid pills I take all 5 at 5:30am. But ????? It’s Thanksgiving and I’m not going to be able to get an answer today, but I will try to get one Friday. I started chemo in June this year. Any one have the same experience?

I’m doing remarkably well. All of my blood counts have rebounded and I was home after 14 days in the hospital! I have been walking 1 to 2 miles a day to help with energy levels. Still have some afternoon fatigue and doing my best to get my appetite back.
Overall I am blessed to have very little side effects and recovering well after 28 days.

Thanks so much for checking in on me and would be glad to assist anyone with any questions or to give any insights on my stem cell journey.
Have a blessed thanksgiving and holiday season. I got this!

@callie28, congratulations on your husband's stem cell transplant yesterday. I hope you saw @dkandalec's helpful reply to you with some suggestions and experience. I'm also tagging @loribmt to bring her into the conversation.

The nausea is tough. Has his care team been able to give him anything to help? Did he sleep okay last night? Did you??

Good morning, @dkandalec! It’s wonderful to hear you’re doing so well after your transplant! That’s the best Thanksgiving news.
It sounds like you’re doing everything right and the walking is one of the most beneficial activities you can do to keep recharging your body! Good job! ☺️

Your input for other members who have Multiple Myeloma and need a stem cell transplant will be invaluable! That’s what makes this forum so special. We are all here for each other and sharing our experiences can become someone else’s survival guide. So thank you for running to the rescue of @callie28, wondering what her husband can do for his nausea post transplant! Your reply was perfect! ☺️ There’s nothing like information from someone who has ‘walked the walk”.
When do you return for your followup?

Post transplant I used Compazine 10 mg. worked the best. Side effect was drowsiness. I also used Zofran and continue to use this to control nausea now that I’m home. Regular over the counter antacids were also used while in the hospital.
The key was to take them prior to eating any food or protein drink.
My care team said there were other options available if these did not work.

I will say that these did assist but did not totally remove the nausea /reflux feeling I had during the toughest days 6-10 post transplant / chemo. It also helped by eating small portion, bland type foods every 3-4 hours vs. larger 3 meals. Try crackers, Lara bars, toast, rice, protein drinks (ensure). Believe me, nothing tasted good and had to force myself to try and eat. This was one of the toughest parts of the recovery.

On a positive note, it does get better gradually.I hope your husband finds a medication and diet that works best for him. Get through this next week and hopefully he feels some relief. I am pulling for him. Much positive vibes being sent his way.