Patient Support From Janssen
Once you and your doctor have decided that DARZALEX FASPRO® or DARZALEX® is right for you, Janssen has resources to help support your treatment journey.
PERSONALIZED 1-ON-1 SUPPORT
Starting and staying on track with a new medication can feel overwhelming. A Janssen Compass® Care Navigator is here to help with free personalized 1-on-1 support over the phone throughout your treatment journey.
Get the additional confidence you may need to get started and stay on track with DARZALEX FASPRO® and DARZALEX®. A Janssen Compass® Care Navigator is here to help.
Connect with a Care Navigator today
Sign up online to have a Care Navigator call you within 1 business day JanssenCompass.com
Janssen Compass® is limited to education about your Janssen therapy, its administration, and/or your disease. It is intended to supplement your understanding of your therapy and is not intended to provide medical advice, replace a treatment plan from your doctor or nurse, or serve as a reason for you to start or stay on this medication.
They will help you in 3 key areas:
Explore options that may help you pay for your medication
Learn more about your cancer and Janssen medication
Find resources for your practical and emotional needs
Looking for additional resources?
MyMilestones® is a free digital companion that offers additional treatment journey tools for DARZALEX FASPRO®.
Track your treatment plan with the MyMilestones® Program
Connect to this free digital companion through Medisafe®, the top-rated medication management app, to access valuable resources for the DARZALEX FASPRO® treatment journey, including:
- Customized reminders for treatment and other medical appointments
- Educational information and videos about DARZALEX FASPRO®
- Helpful tools to keep track of your progress
Download Medisafe on your phone, then sign up directly through the app to get started.
Note: If prompted, enter verification code 2TBX
Medisafe App
Medisafe is a registered trademark of Medisafe Project, Ltd.
Getting started with MyMilestones®
Watch this overview of the MyMilestones® digital app and how it can help you along your treatment journey.
PAYING FOR TREATMENT
Your out-of-pocket cost for treatment is determined by your insurance coverage. Call a Janssen Compass® Care Navigator to receive personalized options to help you pay for your medication.
For commercially insured patients: savings program
Eligible patients pay as little as $5 for each dose. There is a limit to savings each year. The program does not cover the cost to give you your treatment. Participate without sharing your income information. See program requirements here.
Call a Janssen Compass® Care Navigator to learn more about program requirements and enroll over the phone.
Here to guide you
Visit JanssenCompass.com to request your first call and learn more about how Janssen Compass® can be here for you.
You can also call us at 844-628-1234, Monday through Friday, from 8:30 AM – 8:30 PM ET
Other resources
The Johnson & Johnson Patient Assistance Foundation, Inc. (JJPAF) is an independent, nonprofit organization. JJPAF gives eligible patients free prescription medicines donated by Johnson & Johnson companies. You may be eligible if you don’t have insurance.
Want to see if you qualify? Get an application at JJPAF.org.
Questions? Call 800-652-6227 (Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM ET).
The personal information you provide about yourself through text message will be used by Janssen Biotech, Inc., and its affiliates and the program’s service providers (collectively Janssen) to contact you by phone to describe the Janssen Compass® program and complete the enrollment process. The Privacy Policy further explains how Janssen processes the personal information you provide. By texting “CALL,” you indicate that you have read, understood, and agree to these terms.
*By texting “CALL” to 844-628-1234, you consent to receive automated text messages from the Janssen Compass® program to schedule a call with a dedicated Care Navigator and to learn more about the program. Please note, text message and data rates may apply. You may opt out at any time by texting “STOP” to 844-628-1234. Please do not share any unprompted personal or medical information as we are not able to reply to messages other than “CALL.” If you have specific questions, please contact a Janssen Compass® Care Navigator at 844-628-1234, Monday-Friday, from 8:30 AM – 8:30 PM ET. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the Janssen Medical Information Center by calling 800-526-7736.
PATIENT & CARE PARTNER RESOURCES
If you’re looking for more information about DARZALEX FASPRO® or DARZALEX®, here are some useful tools and materials to help you on your treatment journey.
Starting treatment
Patient Brochure
Use this comprehensive resource to learn more about the treatment experience with DARZALEX FASPRO®.
What to Expect Guide
Understand what will happen before, during, and after treatment with DARZALEX FASPRO®.
Doctor Conversation Starter
It’s important to have open, honest discussions with your healthcare team. They want to answer your questions to help you make informed decisions. Generate a list of questions for your doctor with our Personalized Conversation Starter.
Video library
What is DARZALEX FASPRO®?
Before starting treatment, it’s important to talk with your doctor about expectations. Watch this video to learn more about DARZALEX FASPRO® and what to expect.
Questions in the Moment: Disease Education
Multiple myeloma diagnosis? This video will help identify some key questions to ask your care team to learn more about your diagnosis and what to expect on your journey ahead.
Questions in the Moment: Getting Connected
You are not alone on your journey. Hear from fellow patients and care partners about how your care team can help give you the support you need.
Questions in the Moment: Treatment Options
Wondering which treatment may be right for you? This video can help you identify potential questions to ask your care team about treatment options, what to expect, and more.
Understanding the Patient Experience With DARZALEX FASPRO®
Find out more about the patient experience with DARZALEX FASPRO®, including what you can expect before, during, and after administration and support for your treatment journey.
Leaning on your care team
Having multiple myeloma affects not only you, but also the people around you. You don’t have to face your disease alone. Your care team includes healthcare professionals as well as the people close to you.
Your Support Partner
Your support partner is there for you each day. You can get more out of visits with your healthcare provider when you and your support partner understand the needs of one another.
Your Friends and Family
Your friends and family may want to help with everyday tasks that may be difficult. They can also provide physical and emotional support based on what you need.
Your Youngest Supporters
Your support system might include the children in your life. Even though they may not understand what is happening or how to help, they can be there for you during your treatment journey.
Spread the word
That’s My WordTM raises awareness about the disproportionate impact of multiple myeloma (MM) on the Black community. Learn more about making a promise to get involved.
Managing treatment
Keep track of upcoming appointments by printing out your Treatment Calendar at home or viewing online via the MyMilestones® digital app.
Dosing Schedule
Keep track of your dosing schedule and plan with your doctor for your next visit with our treatment calendar.
MyMilestones® Digital App
Learn more about how to access valuable resources for your DARZALEX FASPRO® treatment journey through our free digital companion.
Multiple myeloma education and support groups
Living with multiple myeloma, and caring for someone who has it, requires physical and emotional support. Here is a short list of organizations that provide education and support groups that may be able to help. For additional organizations not listed here, use the Janssen Advocacy Connector.
American Cancer Society
The American Cancer Society offers information, day-to-day help, and emotional support to cancer patients as well as their family and friends. From free lodging and transportation to help making decisions about your care, they offer programs, services, and resources that can help you on your journey.
CancerCare
CancerCare.org offers patients and caregivers counseling, support groups, educational workshops, publications, financial assistance, and community programs.
Cancer Support Community
Cancer Support Community offers social and emotional support for people impacted by cancer, as well as a community of support available online and over the phone.
International Myeloma Foundation
The International Myeloma Foundation provides information online and by phone. They offer patient and caregiver education materials, and conduct patient and family seminars and regional community workshops. They can also help you find support groups.
Leukemia and Lymphoma Society
The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society offers information specialists, peer-to-peer support, and online chats for both patients and caregivers. They also produce the “Bloodline with LLS” podcast for cancer survivors and offer financial guidance and support.
Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation
The Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation offers patient education programs and a nurse support line. They can also help you find a treatment center, clinical trials, support groups, and financial assistance programs.
Myeloma Beacon
The Myeloma Beacon provides news, resources, and online forums for patients, medical professionals, and others interested in multiple myeloma.
Myeloma Crowd
The Myeloma Crowd aggregates and shares the latest research and provides social media groups where patients can exchange information. They also host live patient meetings and seminars, especially for relapsed and high-risk patients.
HealthTree Foundation
The HealthTree Foundation provides news, education, and events about multiple myeloma. They also offer communities to help keep you connected to other patients and care partners.
Patient Empowerment Network
Patient Empowerment Network (PEN) equips patients and caregivers with the tools and resources needed to understand their cancer diagnosis and take an active role in their treatment journey.
Black Myeloma Health
The Black Myeloma Health program helps educate on health disparity and inequality as well as provide resources and education about how multiple myeloma largely affects the Black community.
Patient Power
Patient Power maintains a rich library of cancer information videos for patients and professionals alike. They can also help you locate financial, insurance, and family resources.
That’s My WordTM
That’s My WordTM offers resources and education about multiple myeloma and its disproportionate impact on the Black community.
Additional resources from Janssen
Advocacy Connector
Advocacy Connector is a Janssen-sponsored resource that connects patients and caregivers to national and state-specific advocacy groups that offer resources that may be relevant to your needs. You can also ask your Janssen Compass® Care Navigator for information and support.
Caring for yourself
Talking to your family and friends
There’s no one “right” way to tell your family and friends that you have multiple myeloma. Here are some tips to help guide you:
Most people need and want to talk to someone when they find themselves dealing with cancer. Only you can decide when and how to tell your family and friends.
Before you talk to others, think through your own feelings, your reasons for telling them, and what you expect of them.
Telling those closest to you can help you take in the reality of what’s happening. As you talk, you may come up with other concerns that need to be addressed. Write down the questions that come up and discuss them with your healthcare team. Use our Doctor Conversation Starter to create a list of questions for your next appointment.
Some people are empowered by information, while it can make others feel anxious and overwhelmed. Keep this in mind as you share.
It might be helpful to explain what multiple myeloma is, what treatments you might need, and how to plan for the future.
It can get tiring to tell a lot of people details about your illness over and over again. There are websites specifically designed to help keep family and friends updated so you don’t have to spend hours phoning, texting, or emailing if you don’t want to.
You’ll probably have many different emotions when you hear your diagnosis and go through treatment. It’s normal to wonder, “Why me?” or to feel sad, angry, or afraid. Physical and chemical changes from the treatment or the cancer itself can also affect your emotions. So allow yourself to have those feelings.
Sometimes you may not want to talk about your feelings. You can tell others just by saying something like, “You know, I’m usually okay talking about this but just not today. I’m sure you understand.”
Many people have found that a counselor or support group can be a tremendous help during this difficult time.
Living with multiple myeloma and its treatment can affect family roles and routines. Talk with your family about the support you need. This way, you can make decisions as a team and work together.
Try not to put on a “happy face” if you don’t feel that way. Although you want to protect your loved ones by acting cheerful, it will help you and them more if you share how you feel.
If you’re afraid you’ll become a burden, talk with your doctor about what you can do, and try to keep up with your regular activities. You and your family should keep doing things you always enjoyed together. There are real benefits to keeping up your daily routine.
When people ask how they can help, you might respond, out of courtesy, “Oh, nothing right now. I’m just fine.” Remember that most people really do want to help, and it’s okay to ask for support.
When you do ask, be as specific as possible about the support you need. For example, tell them when you need a ride to the doctor, or ask if they might be able to help around the house, run errands, or walk the dog. There will also be times when you don’t know what you need, but even just saying that can provide perspective of how you’re feeling.
Making a comprehensive plan
It takes more than medicine to manage multiple myeloma. A holistic plan addresses more than just the symptoms and disease and takes care of your mind, body, and spirit. Here are some ideas that can help you get started:
There’s a powerful mind-body connection that may affect our health. Depending on how long you’ve been living with multiple myeloma and its treatment, you could feel anxious, afraid, uncertain, angry, or depressed. It’s normal to have any and all of these feelings. Your feelings may also change over time. That’s normal, too. Here are some things you can do to deal with your emotions:
- Talk about your feelings with your family or friends
- Keep a diary or journal
- See a counselor and/or join a support group
- Express your feelings in other ways, such as music, painting, or creative writing
Research has shown that mindfulness meditation may help relieve anxiety, stress, fatigue, and sleep disturbances, and improve general mood and quality of life for people who suffer from cancer symptoms and treatment side effects. Mindfulness meditation is the practice of being in the present moment and can be learned on your own.
Eat well
There is no “multiple myeloma diet.” However, a nutritious, well-balanced diet can help you stay as healthy as possible for as long as possible. Fresh fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins, such as fish, poultry, or beans, are recommended. Limit your use of cream-based sauces, dressings, and dips, and avoid refined carbohydrates, such as pastries and sweetened breakfast cereals. Drink about 8 to 10 glasses of water a day.
It may be good to also discuss diet with your doctor, even if there are no changes.
Stay active
Regular exercise can help you reduce stress and relieve fatigue. Talk to your doctor before you start a new exercise program. Set goals to slowly increase your activity level. You may want to take a walk, do yoga, or try range-of-motion exercises to help reduce tiredness, relieve stress, and improve your sense of well-being.
Get rest
Sleep problems are common during treatment for multiple myeloma. Experts say you should try to sleep 7 to 8 hours each night. Here are some tips that can help:
- Avoid caffeine in coffee, tea, soda, or chocolate
- Don’t exercise too late in the evening
- If you nap, make it less than 30 minutes and do it early in the day
- Avoid too much time in bed. It can make you weak
If you have trouble sleeping, talk to your doctor.
You should find a quiet space to meditate. You don’t need an entire room or a completely empty area. Just make sure there are no distractions such as the television, phone, or computer. Sit comfortably with your feet supported, your back comfortably straight (not rigid), and your hips higher than your knees. Allow your gaze to fall at a point a few feet in front of you, but do not focus on a particular object.
As you experience the moment, thoughts will come into your mind. They should be allowed to flow freely. If the thoughts become a central focus, gently bring your mind back to the moment.
One way of doing this is to be aware of the sensation of your breathing and using this as an anchor for your mind to come back to should it wander. In the beginning of your practice, aim to sit for 10 to 15 minutes and build up to sitting for 45 minutes to 1 hour.
There’s no doubt that having multiple myeloma and going for treatments is going to disrupt your schedule. Try to live each day as normally as you can.
Think about how you want to spend your time. What makes you happy? What types of things do you enjoy the most? What gives you “purpose”? If you feel well enough, and with a doctor’s guidance, you may be able to continue to do what you did before your diagnosis and treatment, including:
- Going to work
- Spending time with family and friends
- Taking part in activities
- Going on trips
Taking part in the decision-making process is one way to ensure that you get the best care for you. Studies have shown that shared decision-making has numerous benefits. Among them:
- Increased confidence and satisfaction with your treatment
- Enhanced trust in your healthcare team
- Decreased stress and anxiety regarding decisions
The key to shared decision-making is having open discussions with your healthcare team. Here’s how you can start:
- Express your desire to be involved in treatment decisions
- Ask questions to understand your options
- Let the doctor know your goals, values, and preferences
- Ask for time if you need it (and if it’s appropriate)
- Arrive at a treatment decision together
Remember, you are your own best advocate.
Create a personalized list of questions for your next doctor’s appointment
CARE PARTNER GUIDANCE
Moving forward with your loved one
Being a caregiver can be challenging. It’s normal for you to feel nervous or overwhelmed about what is expected of you. And your role can evolve as your loved one’s needs change. By supporting a friend or family member receiving DARZALEX FASPRO® or DARZALEX®, you can have a positive impact and influence on them.
Your loved one may have questions about different aspects of treatment. You can help your loved one by taking notes and helping ask questions during doctor visits. Your support and knowledge can help them during this time.
By providing encouragement and support, you can help your loved one stick with their treatment plan and take other steps to get well, such as eating right or dealing with certain emotions. There’s no way to anticipate everything you’ll need to know as a care partner, but by becoming familiar with the disease and treatment, you can offer support to help your loved one make informed decisions.
But how do you take care of you?
Take an honest look at what you can and can't do. Be willing to let go of tasks that others can help you with. Some examples may be:
- Helping with chores around the house
- Running errands
- Driving to doctors’ appointments
Accepting help from others isn't always easy. Remember that getting help for yourself will enable you to better support your loved one.
As a care partner, it can be difficult to take the time to care for and focus on yourself. It can even feel selfish at times. Self-care is an important part of caring for others. Maintaining your own health and energy allows you to more fully enjoy time with your loved one and provide the best care possible.
Consider spending time doing activities that:
- Involve other people, such as having lunch with a friend
- Give you a sense of accomplishment, such as exercising or finishing a project
- Make you feel good or relaxed, such as watching a funny movie or taking a walk
Set aside time during the day, such as during a meal, when you do not talk about illness.
The support of friends and family can be extremely helpful to you as a care partner. There are many kinds of support programs, including one-on-one or group counseling and support groups. Talking with other care partners can help you feel less alone. You can also get useful ideas from others who have been in your situation.
Talk with a nurse or social worker to learn about services in your area. If you can’t visit a group in person, there are also online communities of people whose lives have been touched by cancer.