I had an auto stem cell transplant (ASCT) about 95 days ago. For most of the last 5-6 weeks, I've had muscle soreness/tightness. It's the type of muscle soreness that a person gets after working out after a long time and usually goes away after 4-5 days. But it just doesn't seem to be going away for me. I feel it mostly in my quads but it's also in the rest of my body to a smaller extent.
I work out 5-6 days a week doing weights, swimming and some biking and don't feel tired when working out. I've cut back on my biking to only about once a week due to the soreness in my quads. Also, I've tried taking 2-3 days off at a time, and it does feel better, but the soreness comes back as soon as I start working out again. Perhaps I'm just trying to do too much, too soon, after the transplant?
I should add that the only meds I'm currently taking are generic Valtrex (valacyclovir) (antiviral) and Bactrim (sulfamethoxazole and trimethoprim) (antibiotic). Perhaps those meds could cause the muscle soreness?
I know many people complain about ongoing fatigue after an autologous stem cell transplant, but was just wondering if how common it is to experience muscle soreness that doesn't seem to go away.
Forums
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DallasGG - Name: Kent
- Who do you know with myeloma?: myself
- When were you/they diagnosed?: 6/20/2013
- Age at diagnosis: 56
Re: Muscle soreness after autologous stem cell transplant?
To answer your question: Yes, I have muscle soreness, more than I have had in the past, since my transplant on January 28, 2014. I continue to work out regularly and just choose not to pay attention to it. I ride bike like you. Although I don't always feel like going out, I do it anyway and usually I am glad that I did.
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goldmine848 - Name: Andrew
- When were you/they diagnosed?: June 2013
- Age at diagnosis: 60
Re: Muscle soreness after autologous stem cell transplant?
I had muscle soreness after my autologous stem cell transplant too. I did a lot a cycling and walking to get my fitness back and maybe that contributed to it, but I wondered if it might be caused by dex. I had a lot of dex in my induction therapy and I know that damages muscles, maybe recovering from that damage? Would be nice to know why though if anybody can enlighten. Maybe low red blood cells means not enough oxygen getting to muscle causing? Mostly gone now, but still takes a bit more effort to get out of a chair than it should.
Laura
Laura
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LauraScot - Name: Laura
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Me
- When were you/they diagnosed?: 2013
- Age at diagnosis: 47
Re: Muscle soreness after autologous stem cell transplant?
I had my auto stem cell transplant on March 7, 2014 and have had muscles soreness in my shoulders, arms and legs. My right quadriceps gets burning and electric-like pain at night. The pain started this month, I did not feel this way before the stem cell transplant
I have neuropathy in my feet but had that before the transplant. I hope the muscle pains go away soon. Meanwhile, I'll keep exercising and getting massages.
I have neuropathy in my feet but had that before the transplant. I hope the muscle pains go away soon. Meanwhile, I'll keep exercising and getting massages.
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MichelleS
Re: Muscle soreness after autologous stem cell transplant?
Muscle soreness is not a common problem after transplant but certainly does occur. One simple thing to check out with your doctor is your electrolyte levels. The potassium, calcium and magnesium. If those are low, the replacing them could be helpful. The other cause can be from the overall deconditioning that comes with transplant. It may take time for your muscles to fully recover. As there are some other problems (some serious and some not serious) that can cause soreness, I would let your doctor know.
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Dr. Jonathan Kaufman - Name: Jonathan Kaufman, M.D.
Beacon Medical Advisor
Re: Muscle soreness after autologous stem cell transplant?
Hi Dallas,
Just curious, were you cleared to swim in a public pool or do you have one of your own? I am preparing for my stem cell transplant this summer and was told I won't be able to use a public pool for 6 months after the transplant. Since I go to a pool several times a week right now, I am not too thrilled about that.
Just curious, were you cleared to swim in a public pool or do you have one of your own? I am preparing for my stem cell transplant this summer and was told I won't be able to use a public pool for 6 months after the transplant. Since I go to a pool several times a week right now, I am not too thrilled about that.
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KimT - Name: Kim Tank
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Me
- When were you/they diagnosed?: July 2013
- Age at diagnosis: 53
Re: Muscle soreness after autologous stem cell transplant?
KimT,
On the issue of swimming in a public pool after my autologous stem cell transplant, my transplant doctor told me that it would be OK to start swimming in a public pool about 3 months after my transplant. I'm taking Valtrex [valacyclovir ](antiviral) and Bactrim [trimethoprim / sulfamethoxazole, co-trimoxazole] (antibiotic) so perhaps they are helping me fight off any germs/viruses I'm exposed to in the pool. I was told not to go into lakes/oceans for a much longer time. I can't recall how long though since I generally don't go swimming in lakes or oceans so that wasn't an issue for me.
I've now been swimming 1-2 times a week in my health club pool for the last month and haven't experienced any negative side effects. Also, it could be my imagination but I think the periperal neuropathy in my feet has actually gotten better after getting back to my swimming.
There was another forum thread on the topic of swimming after a transplant...you might find it interesting:
"How long before swimming after a stem cell transplant?" (started Mar 16, 2014)
On the original topic of sore muscles after a stem cell transplant, I had the sore muscles for most of months 2 and 3 after the transplant but the muscle soreness has improved a lot over the last few weeks. I'm guessing I did too much too soon after the transplant and that probably resulted in the muscle soreness. Also, I cut back on my biking a little because the worst soreness was in my quads.
Also, as Dr. Kaufman pointed out, there's probably quite a bit of deconditioning that happens while going through a transplant. I basically didn't do much physically as far as my normal workouts for about 3 months. I probably lost a lot of my normal workout conditioning during the time period.
On the issue of swimming in a public pool after my autologous stem cell transplant, my transplant doctor told me that it would be OK to start swimming in a public pool about 3 months after my transplant. I'm taking Valtrex [valacyclovir ](antiviral) and Bactrim [trimethoprim / sulfamethoxazole, co-trimoxazole] (antibiotic) so perhaps they are helping me fight off any germs/viruses I'm exposed to in the pool. I was told not to go into lakes/oceans for a much longer time. I can't recall how long though since I generally don't go swimming in lakes or oceans so that wasn't an issue for me.
I've now been swimming 1-2 times a week in my health club pool for the last month and haven't experienced any negative side effects. Also, it could be my imagination but I think the periperal neuropathy in my feet has actually gotten better after getting back to my swimming.
There was another forum thread on the topic of swimming after a transplant...you might find it interesting:
"How long before swimming after a stem cell transplant?" (started Mar 16, 2014)
On the original topic of sore muscles after a stem cell transplant, I had the sore muscles for most of months 2 and 3 after the transplant but the muscle soreness has improved a lot over the last few weeks. I'm guessing I did too much too soon after the transplant and that probably resulted in the muscle soreness. Also, I cut back on my biking a little because the worst soreness was in my quads.
Also, as Dr. Kaufman pointed out, there's probably quite a bit of deconditioning that happens while going through a transplant. I basically didn't do much physically as far as my normal workouts for about 3 months. I probably lost a lot of my normal workout conditioning during the time period.
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DallasGG - Name: Kent
- Who do you know with myeloma?: myself
- When were you/they diagnosed?: 6/20/2013
- Age at diagnosis: 56
Re: Muscle soreness after autologous stem cell transplant?
Dallas, thanks so much for the link. I am hoping they will check my lab work and take that into consideration. Mostly, I do pool running, as cross training for running, so my head is not even in the water.
And as far as the original topic, I will let you know how it goes for me as far as muscle soreness. Good luck!
And as far as the original topic, I will let you know how it goes for me as far as muscle soreness. Good luck!
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KimT - Name: Kim Tank
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Me
- When were you/they diagnosed?: July 2013
- Age at diagnosis: 53
Re: Muscle soreness after autologous stem cell transplant?
In order to get the transplant, you undergo radiation treatments. Radiation destroys myogenic satellite stem cells in the muscle. Myogenic stem cells are critical for muscle growth and repair.
Proliferation and differentiation of myogenic stem cells is reduced or inhibited. Muscle cannot grow without stem cells.
The other person's immune system you now have are producing catabolic cytokines which are causing inhibition of protein synthesis, which results in increase in muscle breakdown. The combination of the two-eradicated myogenic stem cells and catabolic cytokines is what is causing the muscle pain. Your muscles are breaking down, which results in the pain.
Bone marrow transplants also reduce fast twitch muscle fibers. Nerve damage also occurs which can lead to atrophy of the affected muscles.
Possible solutions for muscle pain.
Bill
Proliferation and differentiation of myogenic stem cells is reduced or inhibited. Muscle cannot grow without stem cells.
The other person's immune system you now have are producing catabolic cytokines which are causing inhibition of protein synthesis, which results in increase in muscle breakdown. The combination of the two-eradicated myogenic stem cells and catabolic cytokines is what is causing the muscle pain. Your muscles are breaking down, which results in the pain.
Bone marrow transplants also reduce fast twitch muscle fibers. Nerve damage also occurs which can lead to atrophy of the affected muscles.
Possible solutions for muscle pain.
- Weight training specifically designed to build muscle.
- Reduce long distance aerobic activity which can lead to further muscle wasting.
- Increased calories/protein intake.
- Branch chain amino acids, especially L-leucine.
- HMB
- Creatinine
- Anti inflammation fish oils etc.
- Check testosterone levels, often hypogonadal after transplant. Testosterone replacement if needed.
- Oxandrolone or nandrolone.
Bill
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billjr
Re: Muscle soreness after autologous stem cell transplant?
I have had NO radiation before or after my transplant. However, I had a lot of dex with induction treatment. My leg muscles were so sore it was difficult to walk at times after my ASCT. My calves hurt really bad when going downstairs and my thighs were tender to the touch. It was difficult to have my grand kids on my lap because of the soreness.
My doc told me it was most likely because of the dex but said there was no way to know for sure. All I DO know is that it was a difficult time for me.
My doc told me it was most likely because of the dex but said there was no way to know for sure. All I DO know is that it was a difficult time for me.
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Guitarnut - Name: Scott Hansgen
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Me
- When were you/they diagnosed?: Sept 2011
- Age at diagnosis: 47
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