By the end of 2001, the myeloma beast was rising again. The transplant bought us about seven months. Worth it or not? Who can say? The next therapy was thalidomide. Thalidomide is an old drug with an interesting history. It was originally prescribed in Europe in the 1950s and 60s as a sedative. Pregnant women who took it had babies with deformities, thus the drug was subsequently withdrawn from the market. It was never sold in the United States.You can read more about it in Dark Remedy: The Impact of Thalidomide and Its Revival as a Vital Medicine (2001) by Trent D. Stephens & Rock Brynner.
Young thalidomide victims.
Thalidomide is easy to take since it is a tablet. The brand name is called Thalomid and is manufactured by Celgene. It is often given with dexamethasone. Thalidomide does have significant side effects including sedation, constipation, increased chance of blood clots, and sometimes permanent peripheral neuropathy. See the IMF publication Understanding Thalidomide Therapy for a complete discussion of this medication.
Richard started thalidomide in January of 2002. At first he was on 200 mg every night and 40 mgs of dex for four days every two weeks. This was later reduced to 150mg thal every day and 40 mg of dex for 2 days every two weeks. He also continued the Zometa once a month. All in all, his quality of life was good for the next three years. He did get neuropathy in his feet and fingers. He felt that the benefits far outweighed the side effects in that he was able to teach and live a relatively normal life for the next three years.
Thalidomide is easy to take since it is a tablet. The brand name is called Thalomid and is manufactured by Celgene. It is often given with dexamethasone. Thalidomide does have significant side effects including sedation, constipation, increased chance of blood clots, and sometimes permanent peripheral neuropathy. See the IMF publication Understanding Thalidomide Therapy for a complete discussion of this medication.
Richard started thalidomide in January of 2002. At first he was on 200 mg every night and 40 mgs of dex for four days every two weeks. This was later reduced to 150mg thal every day and 40 mg of dex for 2 days every two weeks. He also continued the Zometa once a month. All in all, his quality of life was good for the next three years. He did get neuropathy in his feet and fingers. He felt that the benefits far outweighed the side effects in that he was able to teach and live a relatively normal life for the next three years.