Revlimid and cramps

I've been taking Revlimid for some eight months now and am beggining to experience horrific cramps in the calf of my right leg.  In addition, now i am having severe cramps in my chest behind my left breast plate.  At first I thought I was having a heart attiack but I'va also experienced the same cramping in my upper stomach area. Has anyone experienced this ? As I remember, the revlimid can cause clotting and I am concerned. I have an appointment tommorow with my oncologist. Please let me hear from you if you have experienced these same conditions.

Bill 

From Anna,

Hi Bill, Welcome to the group.  Revilmind can cause cramps. So can the steriods if you take them.  Revilmind can also cause blood clots. Dad is off the Revilmid right now because he got a clot in his leg from it. The clot is getting better they say. He went to a Dr. that deals with clots and the Dr. told him from now on to take a blood thinner when he takes the Revilmid. He will go back on the revilmid.

Your friend,

Anna

Bill - I had cramps in my calfs and feet so bad the doc took me off revlimid and put me on cytoxan.  I was never really sure whether it was the rev or velcade that was causing the cramps.  They did lesson after coming off Rev, but they didn't go away.  The best the I found was taking an extra supplement of magnesium.  In fact, it was/is the only thing that has worked for me.  As for the other cramping, I didn't experience them.

Best of luck

Doug

Hi Bill,

I also had severe/debilitating cramps in my hands and the outside of my calves down into the foot.  It was awful and would last 5 or more minutes.  Nothing I did would relieve them.  My doctor ended up by taking me off the Revlimid.  I didn't have the chest cramps, but I never stayed on the Rev very long.  We tried 2-3 times, lowered the dose, took it every other day and I still developed the cramps.

Good luck with your doctor.

Lois

Hi, Bill

I've been on Revlimid since December.  I do get cramps occasionally in my calves, but the worst ones are cramps in the bottom of my feet, in the arch. I've never had the chest cramps or stomach cramps.  I drink Schwepps tonic water at night before I go to bed, and that seems to help. Mine are not severe enough to even consider stopping the Rev because I am doing so well on it. Good luck, and please let us know what your onc. has to say!

Mary Ann

I agree with you Mary Ann!!  I've been on 10mg Revlimid for almost 4 YEARS now and I go through periods where I do have cramping, but they are never bad enough for me to even consider giving up the Revlimid because it is working so well!!  My methods of combating the cramps are as follows"

1. Increase salt on my evening meal

2. Drink a large glass of Schwepps Indian Tonic Water - which has quinine in it

3. Increase my daily walking and try to include some stairs - generally at the hospital when I'm going for blood tests as everything here is built FLAT

4. Have a soaking HOT bath every second day

5. Sleep with a bar of plain soap in my bed!!! 

The cramping in the chest must be terrible, but mine has only been in my calves and feet. Fortunately it only lasts for a day or two and usually comes on at night, but I can appreciate how painful it is.  Still, given the results that I have benefited from with the Rev, this is really a small price to pay and as long as I practice all of the above, I can manage it!  Best wishes, and perhaps some of these tips will work for others.  Cheers, Cath in Australia

On Nov 05, 2009 3:45 PM harleynightrider wrote:

I've been taking Revlimid for some eight months now and am beggining to experience horrific cramps in the calf of my right leg.  In addition, now i am having severe cramps in my chest behind my left breast plate.  At first I thought I was having a heart attiack but I'va also experienced the same cramping in my upper stomach area. Has anyone experienced this ? As I remember, the revlimid can cause clotting and I am concerned. I have an appointment tommorow with my oncologist. Please let me hear from you if you have experienced these same conditions.

Bill