Forums
Chest pain as a side effect of Revlimid or Velcade?
Has anyone experienced severe chest pain as a side effect of Revlimid. Velcade or DEX?. CT scan, xrays, blood tests yield no results. Dr. thinks it is muscle strain, but I've not done anything to cause it There is no tumor in the area (upper right chest) and no other symptoms other than pain. Movement exacerbates the pain which is why the Dr. thinks it is strain. IF this is a side effect, it must be very rare. Any feedback appreciated
Re: Chest pain as a side effect of Revlimid or Velcade?
Is the chest pain persistent? Or does it occur only at certain times and, if so, what seems to bring it on?
The reason I ask is that Velcade can have heart-related side effects, and heart issues can be a source of chest pain.
Here is the FDA-approved prescribing information for Velcade:
http://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2012/021602s031s032lbl.pdf
Do a search for "cardiac" in the document and you'll find the heart-related side effect information.
I don't think heart-related issues of the sort that would cause chest pain are as common with Revlimid. If, however, you want to check its prescribing information, here's the link:
http://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2013/021880s029s033lbl.pdf
The reason I ask is that Velcade can have heart-related side effects, and heart issues can be a source of chest pain.
Here is the FDA-approved prescribing information for Velcade:
http://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2012/021602s031s032lbl.pdf
Do a search for "cardiac" in the document and you'll find the heart-related side effect information.
I don't think heart-related issues of the sort that would cause chest pain are as common with Revlimid. If, however, you want to check its prescribing information, here's the link:
http://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2013/021880s029s033lbl.pdf
-
JimNY
Re: Chest pain as a side effect of Revlimid or Velcade?
Hi RJackham,
You might be surprised to hear that all three of them can cause chest pain. It's common with Revlimid. Velcade says less than 1 person in a 100 (my note: that they know of). Dexamethasone information states: call the doctor if you experience a serious side effect: ....... Chest Pain....
Wow, after reading that I think Vitamin C sounds harmless
Kate
You might be surprised to hear that all three of them can cause chest pain. It's common with Revlimid. Velcade says less than 1 person in a 100 (my note: that they know of). Dexamethasone information states: call the doctor if you experience a serious side effect: ....... Chest Pain....
Wow, after reading that I think Vitamin C sounds harmless
Kate
-
Kate - Name: Kate
- Who do you know with myeloma?: myself
- When were you/they diagnosed?: Dec. 2012
Re: Chest pain as a side effect of Revlimid or Velcade?
I'm pretty sure it is NOT heart related. I went to the ER and they did an EKG, CT, xray and blood tests and found no "cause" for the chest pain. The oncologist feels, as does the ER physician that it is muscle stress. However since I did nothing to cause the stress, I'm having a hard time with that answer.. Pain was bad enough to rate a 6 or 7 and needed 2 Oxycontin to stop. Felt like upper lung. I've read that one side effect is infection in the lungs, but blood test was negative and no fever. Movement of the arm, coughing causes pain. No history of recent coughing however. It's a mystery. I'm discouraged that the reaction of the Drs was no obvious cause therefore stress is the cause, rather than, "could it be something else? When we talk about "causing pain", perhaps the real question is what is causing the pain. How about a total stab in the dark from a non-medical person - one or more of the drugs causes an inflammation of the inner chest wall or the lung, that doesn't show up on the tests that were taken - crazy? I don't know, I just feel the pain. It's now been a week and finally this evening I'm going without pain meds because it doesn't hurt so much that I can't sleep.
Re: Chest pain as a side effect of Revlimid or Velcade?
Hi rjackham,
Okay, it sounds like you and your doctors have done the right thing and checked whether the pain might be heart related. I mentioned it as the first possibility mainly because it's potentially very serious, so I wanted you to be aware of it.
I am going to throw off some additional relatively random thoughts in the hopes that some might stick. So here goes.
Blood clot in the lungs - Have you and your doctors checked to make sure you've not been suffering from a "pulmonary embolism", which would cause pain in the chest area. Blood clots are a common and potentially serious side effect of Revlimid.
Cramping - Revlimid is well known to cause muscle cramps. It's a common side effect. I think the cramps are usually in the legs, but perhaps yours is an unusual case and the cramping / muscle reaction is in the chest area.
Statins - Do you take any drugs like Zocor, Lipitor, or Crestor (or their generic versions), which are known as statins? They have a rare side effect called rhabdomyolysis which is basically the breakdown of muscle tissue, which can cause muscle pain.
Otherwise, the only other advice I have is to do a web search using keywords like "causes severe muscle pain". When I did that search, quite a number of different possibilities came up. Perhaps some of them will be applicable in your case.
One thing that occurred to me is that, if your doctors feel this is stress related, perhaps they can give you something like Xanax, which reduces anxiety, to see if it helps.
Okay, it sounds like you and your doctors have done the right thing and checked whether the pain might be heart related. I mentioned it as the first possibility mainly because it's potentially very serious, so I wanted you to be aware of it.
I am going to throw off some additional relatively random thoughts in the hopes that some might stick. So here goes.
Blood clot in the lungs - Have you and your doctors checked to make sure you've not been suffering from a "pulmonary embolism", which would cause pain in the chest area. Blood clots are a common and potentially serious side effect of Revlimid.
Cramping - Revlimid is well known to cause muscle cramps. It's a common side effect. I think the cramps are usually in the legs, but perhaps yours is an unusual case and the cramping / muscle reaction is in the chest area.
Statins - Do you take any drugs like Zocor, Lipitor, or Crestor (or their generic versions), which are known as statins? They have a rare side effect called rhabdomyolysis which is basically the breakdown of muscle tissue, which can cause muscle pain.
Otherwise, the only other advice I have is to do a web search using keywords like "causes severe muscle pain". When I did that search, quite a number of different possibilities came up. Perhaps some of them will be applicable in your case.
One thing that occurred to me is that, if your doctors feel this is stress related, perhaps they can give you something like Xanax, which reduces anxiety, to see if it helps.
-
JimNY
Re: Chest pain as a side effect of Revlimid or Velcade?
I had two or three episodes during treatment with Carfilzomib, Revlimid, and Dexamethasone where my rib cage was very sore, much like a muscle strain. I could barely twist my body. I was tested for pulmonary embolisms since that is a potential side effect of Revlimid, and also an EKG to make sure there were no issues with my heart. Everything came back negative. My doctor and I think it might have been inflammation of the lining around the lungs, known as the pleura, since it felt much like a bout of pleurisy I experienced years ago. I continued to stretch and do some light exercising during these periods, but avoided anything that caused significant discomfort, and it typically cleared up within a week.
-
Kevin J - Name: Kevin J
- Who do you know with myeloma?: myself
- When were you/they diagnosed?: Jan 2011
- Age at diagnosis: 52
Re: Chest pain as a side effect of Revlimid or Velcade?
Some really good comments here - thanks. Yes they did check for the pulmonary embolism. That was a CT with dye, and found nothing. That was my very first fear besides the heart. You might have hit it on the head with the pleurisy. I'll see the Dr. again Monday and specifically ask. Meanwhile I'm resting all I can and the pain has subsided. Glad to be off pain pills because they cause their own problems with the digestive system - as if I needed that. Only other drugs I take are Lisinipril, Metoprol and baby aspirin. Glad to know about the cramping. Last night I started getting "little" cramping in my legs. Not the full blown, full muscle - please make it go away - type, but rather short duration, and able to concentrate and stop it quick. Seemed to happen while in bed so I slept in a lounge chair - elevating the legs stopped the cramps, and because the chair restricted my arms and shoulders, stopped pressure on them virtually stopping the chest pain. Got some good rest last night. As an aside for others, I also tried some Lidoderm adhesive patches on the chest and back, thinking if muscle pain it would help. Didn't help. I'm going with the tentative pleurisy thought to the Dr. on Monday. Thanks for all the comments you have all been very helpful.
Re: Chest pain as a side effect of Revlimid or Velcade?
My Mother had severe chest pain with both of these treatments. She had a heart cath and her heart was fine. They did lower her dose some after that.
-
brownk
Re: Chest pain as a side effect of Revlimid or Velcade?
I experienced chest pain and went to my cardiologist who did all the tests and found nothing. He sent me to a digestive doctor and I had a gastroscopia where they found a small hernia. After taking omeoprazol for a few weeks I havent experienced pain again. I am on Revlimid maintenance.
-
Leslie
Re: Chest pain as a side effect of Revlimid or Velcade?
What immediately popped into my head when you said where the pain is and when you have it is that it could be a rib sprain. I had one 3 years ago for no apparent reason and was shocked at how painful it was. It was hard to breathe, move, anything for a few days. Then it cleared up and I haven't had any problems since.
I have had horrible muscle spasms/cramps almost anywhere in my body while on Revlimid. When I was taking it 4 years ago they would come in massive waves almost every hour through the night. Most often they would be in my legs and feet, but they also occurred in my hands, abdomen, chest, back. They could last 5, 10 , 15 minutes, or more at a time. Nothing seemed to help control them. I tried all of the remedies that get suggested - drinking tonic water, drinking cider vinegar and honey, using a bar of soap under the covers in bed, etc. When I stopped taking Revlimid the cramping stopped. I'm taking Revlimid again now, but have only had minor, in comparison, cramping in my feet and lower legs some nights. I find if I stretch before going to bed that it helps keep them to a low level when they occur.
Good luck with finding out what is causing the pain. You may never know.
Nancy in Phila
I have had horrible muscle spasms/cramps almost anywhere in my body while on Revlimid. When I was taking it 4 years ago they would come in massive waves almost every hour through the night. Most often they would be in my legs and feet, but they also occurred in my hands, abdomen, chest, back. They could last 5, 10 , 15 minutes, or more at a time. Nothing seemed to help control them. I tried all of the remedies that get suggested - drinking tonic water, drinking cider vinegar and honey, using a bar of soap under the covers in bed, etc. When I stopped taking Revlimid the cramping stopped. I'm taking Revlimid again now, but have only had minor, in comparison, cramping in my feet and lower legs some nights. I find if I stretch before going to bed that it helps keep them to a low level when they occur.
Good luck with finding out what is causing the pain. You may never know.
Nancy in Phila
-
NStewart - Name: Nancy Stewart
- Who do you know with myeloma?: self
- When were you/they diagnosed?: 3/08
- Age at diagnosis: 60
15 posts
• Page 1 of 2 • 1, 2
Return to Treatments & Side Effects