[Sister In Law]

Atrial fibrillation & pinched nerve during treatment

by Sister In Law on Thu Jan 21, 2016 12:24 am

Hi,

My husband has had such a tough time since his diagnosis of smoldering myeloma. He has had no CRAB issues, but then again, he has only had x rays of his bones. I suspect he has some bone issues since he has kidney stones lurking and trying to pass from time to time. He has lambda light chains in his urine, slightly low albumin (which is causing his legs to swell up with edema). He has a history of atrial fibrillation from 2001 and finally had an ablation in 2008.

All was well until this disease hit him and he began steroids and Velcade. I am not sure if it is the steroids or if it WAS the Velcade that began this awful cycle of atrial fibrillation. They stopped the Velcade and switched to Revlimid. He is tolerating the Revlimid fine, other than an afternoon trip to the bathroom on most days, which is unpleasant!

BUT, he has also begun having TERRIBLE nerve pain down his right arm from the shoulder, to the elbow, and numbness into the hand. We know he has something happening in his neck. It is a pinched nerve from something – a disk or a bone that has broken or something. It's very painful. So far, all they have done is an xray. BIG DEAL!! He needs an MRI ASAP in my opinion. Maybe tomorrow we can get some action after they see the xray.

I have a few questions for you all:

1. Is atrial fibrillation a common issue with treatment? The cardiologist said that dehydration and an imbalance of electrolytes can cause it. He has had both issues a lot, no matter how much he drinks. His feet are full of fluid and his mouth is bone dry. It's very frustrating.

2. Is it common to have spinal bone issues? I suspect that it is because I have read of people's spines collapsing, fracturing, etc. I hope he can get this diagnosed quickly so he does not end up with permanent damage. I had a herniated disk in my neck and it took me 1.5 years to get surgery. But being a woman, I was never taken seriously and was treated shamefully by several doctors. Men seem to have better luck with getting help at hospital ER's and doctor offices.

3. Are these spinal issues from disks that herniate, or actually bones that break, in multiple myeloma patients?

I don't believe he has amyloidosis. His bone marrow was tested with Congo red, and he was fine. But he does have a family history of both myeloma and atrial fibrillation. Lots of both things on one branch of the family.

4. How do they fix the bone issues if someone is on blood thinners?

We have so much trouble at once!

[Little Monkey]

Re: Atrial fibrillation & pinched nerve during treatment

by Little Monkey on Thu Jan 21, 2016 9:07 am

Lesions on the vertbrae are not uncommon with multiple myeloma; I would agree with an MRI.

As for the length of time to wait for surgery, it would depend what, if any, effect a possible lesion is having on surrounding nerves/cords.

A lesion is only one possibility; Velcade is also known to cause nerve pain, is your husband seeing a myeloma specialist?

[Sally]

Re: Atrial fibrillation & pinched nerve during treatment

by Sally on Mon Mar 14, 2016 7:52 pm

Hi,

My name is Sally, and I have just come across this forum after approaching Dr. Google for some answers!

My Father is having treatment for myeloma, midway through his second cycle on the Myeloma XI trial. He is now also in atrial fibrillation and in hospital whilst they attempt to find the cause!

It is extremely frustrating as every doctor he sees has a different opinion. I am wondering if you got any further with your diagnosis of atrial fibrillation as it's been a while since your post.

I hope everything is going well for your husband at this time x