Hi,
I've been on Revlimid maintenance for almost two years and have had two DVT blood clots and require anticoagulant medications every day.
Each time I refill, I get the same consultation regarding birth defects and stroke and heart risks.
Has anyone on the forum aware or experienced stroke or heart problems while using Revlimid?
Best! BN
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Re: Cardiovascular risks with Revlimid
Hello BN:
Last month I was sent to a cardiologist. My BP went very high (215/115) and was unstable. My BP medicine dose was increased, and two new medicines were added. Nothing was working. I had some other symptoms, which are also side effects of Revlimid such as bloating, losing breath, sudden chest heaviness, bloated tummy. I had an EKG, ECG and 2D abdomen ultrasound and my cardiologist ruled out trouble with heart.
He changed again one of the three BP medicines and increased dose of one of the medicines. It took fifteen days for my BP to stabilize.
I am an extreme G6PD person. G6PD person, in general, have a higher tolerance to BP and cardiovascular diseases.
I hope my experience helps.
Last month I was sent to a cardiologist. My BP went very high (215/115) and was unstable. My BP medicine dose was increased, and two new medicines were added. Nothing was working. I had some other symptoms, which are also side effects of Revlimid such as bloating, losing breath, sudden chest heaviness, bloated tummy. I had an EKG, ECG and 2D abdomen ultrasound and my cardiologist ruled out trouble with heart.
He changed again one of the three BP medicines and increased dose of one of the medicines. It took fifteen days for my BP to stabilize.
I am an extreme G6PD person. G6PD person, in general, have a higher tolerance to BP and cardiovascular diseases.
I hope my experience helps.
-
MMFeb16,15 - Who do you know with myeloma?: Self
- When were you/they diagnosed?: February 16, 2015
- Age at diagnosis: 66
Re: Cardiovascular risks with Revlimid
Hi BN,
I've had some cardiac problems that are linked to my Revlimid maintenance therapy. Last summer I had some fainting and near-fainting events. After much testing, it was determined that they were caused by bradycardia (too slow heart rate) tied to the Revlimid. In addition, they found that I also had atrial fibrillation (irregular, fast heart rate), which seems to be exacerbated by Revlimid.
The concern with bradycardia is passing out (again). The concern with atrial fibrillation is the formation of blood clots in my heart, which could lead to a stroke.
Lowering the Revlimid maintenance dose to 0.5 mg per day, with 21 days on and 7 days off, has helped a lot. But I'm still having some a-fib events, so today, in fact, I underwent a minor surgical procedure to have an implantable loop recorder placed under the skin of my chest. It will be able to wirelessly transmit data about irregular cardiac events to my cardiologists, so they can monitor me more closely. Pretty cool technology.
Best wishes to you. Please keep us posted on how you are doing.
Mike
I've had some cardiac problems that are linked to my Revlimid maintenance therapy. Last summer I had some fainting and near-fainting events. After much testing, it was determined that they were caused by bradycardia (too slow heart rate) tied to the Revlimid. In addition, they found that I also had atrial fibrillation (irregular, fast heart rate), which seems to be exacerbated by Revlimid.
The concern with bradycardia is passing out (again). The concern with atrial fibrillation is the formation of blood clots in my heart, which could lead to a stroke.
Lowering the Revlimid maintenance dose to 0.5 mg per day, with 21 days on and 7 days off, has helped a lot. But I'm still having some a-fib events, so today, in fact, I underwent a minor surgical procedure to have an implantable loop recorder placed under the skin of my chest. It will be able to wirelessly transmit data about irregular cardiac events to my cardiologists, so they can monitor me more closely. Pretty cool technology.
Best wishes to you. Please keep us posted on how you are doing.
Mike
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mikeb - Name: mikeb
- Who do you know with myeloma?: self
- When were you/they diagnosed?: 2009 (MGUS at that time)
- Age at diagnosis: 55
Re: Cardiovascular risks with Revlimid
Thanks, Mike. Hopefully everything will stabilize for you. I feel like the Revlimid maintenance is worthwhile for us based on what I've read. My myeloma doctor feels the same.
How many maintenance cycles have you completed?
I just started cycle eleven and have had two DVTs, one in each leg so far. The Lovenox seems to be resolving them, but daily injections are no fun. Are you taking any anticoagulant therapy?
I would like to go to an oral anticoagulant eventually, but for now the Lovenox seems to be our best choice.
Thanks for your response. I was wondering how common these issues are on our forum.
All my best! BN
How many maintenance cycles have you completed?
I just started cycle eleven and have had two DVTs, one in each leg so far. The Lovenox seems to be resolving them, but daily injections are no fun. Are you taking any anticoagulant therapy?
I would like to go to an oral anticoagulant eventually, but for now the Lovenox seems to be our best choice.
Thanks for your response. I was wondering how common these issues are on our forum.
All my best! BN
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Bar-none - Who do you know with myeloma?: Me
- When were you/they diagnosed?: 3/14
Re: Cardiovascular risks with Revlimid
Hi BN,
I just finished Cycle 30 on Revlimid maintenance. The only anti-coagulant I'm on is one full size (325 mg) aspirin per day.
Sorry to hear about your two cases of DVT. That's pretty scary. I've been lucky and have not had that kind of problem. After doing Neupogen injections for 10 days when I was ramping up for the stem cell collection, I sure don't envy you needing to do Lovenox injections to yourself every day.
Thanks for the good wishes! Hang in there, and best wishes to you too!
Mike
I just finished Cycle 30 on Revlimid maintenance. The only anti-coagulant I'm on is one full size (325 mg) aspirin per day.
Sorry to hear about your two cases of DVT. That's pretty scary. I've been lucky and have not had that kind of problem. After doing Neupogen injections for 10 days when I was ramping up for the stem cell collection, I sure don't envy you needing to do Lovenox injections to yourself every day.
Thanks for the good wishes! Hang in there, and best wishes to you too!
Mike
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mikeb - Name: mikeb
- Who do you know with myeloma?: self
- When were you/they diagnosed?: 2009 (MGUS at that time)
- Age at diagnosis: 55
Re: Cardiovascular risks with Revlimid
BN-
I've had low blood pressure that developed after I recovered from my stem cell transplant and had restarted taking my pre-transplant level of blood pressure medication. I asked my primary to lower my dosage and have been on the lower dosage for 5 1/2 years, with 3 of those years on Revlimid.
I also developed blood clots throughout my lungs last May. I had been taking a daily aspirin of 325 mg to protect me from possible clots. My oncologist wanted to start me on Lovenox (enoxaparin) injections, but I refused because of the cost of my co-pays. So, I've been taking Xarelto (rivaroxaban), one of the new anticoagulant pills, since May with no problems and good control.
Nancy in Phila
I've had low blood pressure that developed after I recovered from my stem cell transplant and had restarted taking my pre-transplant level of blood pressure medication. I asked my primary to lower my dosage and have been on the lower dosage for 5 1/2 years, with 3 of those years on Revlimid.
I also developed blood clots throughout my lungs last May. I had been taking a daily aspirin of 325 mg to protect me from possible clots. My oncologist wanted to start me on Lovenox (enoxaparin) injections, but I refused because of the cost of my co-pays. So, I've been taking Xarelto (rivaroxaban), one of the new anticoagulant pills, since May with no problems and good control.
Nancy in Phila
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NStewart - Name: Nancy Stewart
- Who do you know with myeloma?: self
- When were you/they diagnosed?: 3/08
- Age at diagnosis: 60
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