It's great that your kappa/lambda numbers are responding so well — that's a real win! Recurring diarrhea is a very common challenge with lenalidomide (Revlimid), and you're definitely not alone in dealing with this.
Lenalidomide can cause something called bile acid malabsorption (BAM), where the small intestine struggles Show Full Answer
It's great that your kappa/lambda numbers are responding so well — that's a real win! Recurring diarrhea is a very common challenge with lenalidomide (Revlimid), and you're definitely not alone in dealing with this.
Lenalidomide can cause something called bile acid malabsorption (BAM), where the small intestine struggles to absorb bile salts properly. This causes the colon to release excess water, leading to loose or watery stools. Unlike typical chemotherapy-related diarrhea, this can show up many months into treatment. Here are some strategies that may help manage recurring diarrhea — always check with your oncologist before trying any of these:
Medications:
- Loperamide (Imodium) has helped many MyMyelomaTeam members
- Pepto-Bismol is another option that some MyMyelomaTeam members have found surprisingly effective
- Bile acid sequestrants (like cholestyramine) may help if BAM is the cause — one MyMyelomaTeam member's husband uses half an Imodium combined with cholestyramine with good results
Dietary changes:
- Eat smaller, more frequent meals
- Choose lower-fat foods
- Foods that may help firm things up include white rice, yogurt, well-cooked vegetables, white bread, and lean baked or broiled meats
- Stay well hydrated — aim for 8–12 cups of fluid daily
- Keep a food diary to identify any trigger foods
Treatment adjustments:
- Since you've already had dose reductions, your oncologist may have further options if diarrhea remains severe It's really important to flag this with your oncologist sooner rather than later. Persistent diarrhea can lead to dehydration and may affect your treatment plan if left unmanaged. They can help pinpoint the exact cause and recommend the most appropriate solution for your specific situation.
May 18
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