Muscle cramps due to Dexamethasone

 Sorry Anna:

My fingers and brain do not connect sometimes.  It is Magnesium 500 mgs caps. Take 1/4tsp  sea salt in water if he can or just play with it till you  get a feel for it. Poppy Cath in the USA the Schewps drink is hard to find. even in Aussie land now. When I was there in October could not find one person selling it.... Quinine is excellent if you can get a hold of it.

Yes the Dex pulls salt from the body, so it is natural when one's body is already down, that the medicine would cause more than normal salt loss.  There is a company in Arizona called New Vision that sells liquid minerals that would be agreat benefit, Unfortunately they are one of those you have to join, I just pay an annual fee and buy my own.  

http://www.newvisionaz.org/ If you are interested insist just for yourself. Like many of these companies you have to sell a ton of stuff to make it worth while so I just purchase for myself. 2 doses a day of this is really great for stablilizing one's minerals and it is all natural.

Hope this helps. MMS 

On 3/20/2008 Anna9563 wrote:

From Anna,

Hi MMsurvivor, Thanks for the tip on the Sea Salt.  How much do you take of it?  What was the 500 capusale's you mentioned.  The Dex?  The Dex is what he and I think is causing the cramps.  

 Your friend,

Anna

From Anna,

Hi Chessie, Thanks for the info.  

 Your friend,

Anna 

From Anna,

Hi  Jan, Forgot to say in my earily post that Dad got his MM from Agent Orange in Vietnam.  He was there in the late 60's.  The reason I asked about the nose bleeds is most with this find it after they break a bone cause they're bones pit, (get holes in them) and get weak.  Dad hasn't done this.  Just the nose bleeds.  May I ask, are you all in the US.  I have found one in FL with nose bleeds but the first was in London. We are in Tenneessee by the way.

Your friend,

 Anna

Dear Anna,

My husband was never in Vietnam, however he was raised on a farm and has spent almost 30 years in ag related work.  I have read that that type of work might be a factor for myeloma.  His full body xray in June of 07 did not show bone problems, but about six weeks later he started having back pain and they found that he had compression fractures of T 6&7.  We looked into some options and decided that a brace was the best way to go for him.  Ortho doc sent him to a brace man that form fitted a back brace especially to fit his body.  Once he put it on, the pain eased greatly and within about a month he no longer needed the brace.  So far he hasn't had any more problems, but I watch him pretty close to make sure he doesn't get into situations that might cause bone damage. 

Yes we are in the U.S.  We are in Nebraska.  It takes a lot of phone and computer time to try and keep all of his doctors on the same page.  Also involves a lot of travel getting to appointments.  I have gotten almost all of the results from labs, bone marrows, CT scans, xrays, MRIs, etc and I carry them with me to every doctor appointment.  First I had them in a file, but just a while back I organized them in a notebook with labels.  This really helps save time when the doctors need that information. 

Take care.

Jan

Hi Anna!  I've had MM for 5 years.  I had a bad backache and had been going to an osteopath who said that it wasn't getting better with his treatment and recommended that I have further xrays.  My GP then started scheduling the grueling set of tests for MM, though none of us realised what he was heading towards.  I had a full skeletal survey, nucelar xrays (which are not really necessary for MM), bone density xrays, full blood tests, paraprotein tests, 24 hour urinalysis, and finally the bone marrow biopsy.  After all of this, my GP diagnosed his first case of MM and we've both been on a huge learning curve ever since!!  He is a lovely guy, and as I left his office after he first told me, I remember him saying "I"m sure that you will know more about Myeloma by the time I see you in two weeks than I know"!  He was right because I went on a huge information search, but the best thing I ever found was this site -- it has been GREAT for information and friendships!!  My MM is all over my body, but primarily in my bones.  I have leisions everywhere from all my bones to my skull.  The pain is pretty intense, but we seem to have it under control with fentenal patches and some break through medication.  I was told I had 2-3 years from diagnosis, but here I am in my 5th year so we're not doing too badly.  With all the new discoveries in medications I've had everything except a transplant because of my age (62) and the fact that I've had really bad side effects from all the drugs with the exception of Revlimid!  I've now been on Rev for almost 20 months and I pray that it continues to work for ever as its been the best one for me since diagnosis!!  My paraprotein reached 90 at its highest but has been 8 for about 15 months!!  What could be better? (Paraprotein is the Australian way of saying M-Spike and the measuring is different. A normal person has NO paraprotein, and 100 is not the 'top', the number just keeps getting higher and higher - my doctor has seen very sick people at 30 and me - still fighting at 90, so go figure!)

I'm very positive, I keep myself very active with running a local cancer support group and taking part in U3A - the University of the Third Age - where older retired people go to learn all sorts of things without having to take exams or write essays!!  I enjoy all family things, playing with my children and grandchildren as well as growing closer and closer to my wonderful husband, who is also my carer!  There is not point in being negative about MM - its not going to help anything or anyone, and by keeping it at bay hopefully I'll have a lot more time.  I do hope that your dad's nosebleeds have subsided and that the doctors have been able to stablise his blood work so that he doesn't have any more.  This is a strange and individual disease, with few people having the same problems -- most of us are very unique!!  Thats one of the reasons that it is so hard to treat because there is no 'one cure for everyone'!!  Everything has to be tried until you find the one that works the best for you, whether thats chemo, radiotherapy, oral chemo, transplant, etc. Usually at least one thing works, and life is always worth living!! 

My thoughts and prayers are with you and your dad. He is blessed to have you advocating for him and assisting him along the MM journey.  Your support will make a huge difference for him and for those around him who are all working to find what will be the best for him.  Knowing that he has you will keep them on their toes in helping him -- its just human nature, but thank goodness he has you!!  Do take good care and keep on keeping on -- life is certainly worth it!!  Best wishes to you both, Cath

From Anna,

Hi MM Suvivor, What minerals would you suggest we look for for Dad?

 Your friend,

Anna

From Anna,

 Hi Jan, They might have to give him a bone strenghtener at some point to help keep his bones strong. Dad has been on one for years.  They cause side effecs but everything can.  How far do you all have to go to the Dr? 

 Your friend,

 Anna

From Anna,

 Hi Jan, Forgot that people that work around Pestidsides can get MM to.  Its also been called the Old Man's disease cause I guess it was older people getting it.  

 Your friend,

Anna