Tom184 wrote: "Were you on an aspirin a day regimen before the clot? I take a "baby aspirin" along with the Revlimid to try to prevent having a DVT. I would keep taking the Revlimid unless I had multiple episodes of clots despite the blood thinners."
Hi Tom,
My husband is on Revlimid-dex since one month ago, and he has swollen legs since last week. Can it be DVT, when he is on baby aspirin?
What is your experience?
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Re: Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) while on Revlimid
Anonymous,
You should check with your husband's doctor right away about the swelling your husband is experiencing in his legs.
Deep vein thrombosis can occur in people taking Revlimid and dexamethasone even if they're taking aspirin to prevent DVT from occurring. The aspirin lowers the chances of DVT occurring, but it can still occur.
Also, I believe the chances of developing DVT while taking Revlimid are highest in the first few months after someone starts treatment with Revlimid.
Symptoms of deep vein thrombosis include the following:
- Swelling of the leg or along a vein in the leg
- Pain or tenderness in the leg, which you may feel only when standing or walking
- Increased warmth in the area of the leg that's swollen or painful
- Red or discolored skin on the leg
(These are from this page: http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/health-topics/topics/dvt/signs.html )
So the swelling your husband is experiencing could be a sign of DVT. Is your husband also experiencing any pain in one or both of the legs?
The one thing you mentioned that suggests the swelling may be due to something else besides DVT is the fact that your husband is experiencing swelling in both legs. The chances of there being clots in both of his legs, which would cause the swelling, are a lot lower than the chance of there being a clot in one leg.
The swelling may be due to the dexamethasone, since it also can cause swelling due to fluid retention. However, that's also a relatively serious thing, since the fluid could also be building up around your husband's lungs.
The information about dex at the American Cancer Society website says that it "may cause your body to retain excess fluid. This can lead to swelling in the face, hands, or feet. Fluid may also collect in the abdomen, which could make you feel bloated. In more serious cases, fluid may collect in the chest, which can lead to trouble breathing. Let your doctor or nurse know right away if you suddenly gain weight, notice swelling in any part of your body, or develop shortness of breath."
So, whether it's the Revlimid or dex that's causing the swelling in your husband's legs, you should check with a doctor about it really soon.
You should check with your husband's doctor right away about the swelling your husband is experiencing in his legs.
Deep vein thrombosis can occur in people taking Revlimid and dexamethasone even if they're taking aspirin to prevent DVT from occurring. The aspirin lowers the chances of DVT occurring, but it can still occur.
Also, I believe the chances of developing DVT while taking Revlimid are highest in the first few months after someone starts treatment with Revlimid.
Symptoms of deep vein thrombosis include the following:
- Swelling of the leg or along a vein in the leg
- Pain or tenderness in the leg, which you may feel only when standing or walking
- Increased warmth in the area of the leg that's swollen or painful
- Red or discolored skin on the leg
(These are from this page: http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/health-topics/topics/dvt/signs.html )
So the swelling your husband is experiencing could be a sign of DVT. Is your husband also experiencing any pain in one or both of the legs?
The one thing you mentioned that suggests the swelling may be due to something else besides DVT is the fact that your husband is experiencing swelling in both legs. The chances of there being clots in both of his legs, which would cause the swelling, are a lot lower than the chance of there being a clot in one leg.
The swelling may be due to the dexamethasone, since it also can cause swelling due to fluid retention. However, that's also a relatively serious thing, since the fluid could also be building up around your husband's lungs.
The information about dex at the American Cancer Society website says that it "may cause your body to retain excess fluid. This can lead to swelling in the face, hands, or feet. Fluid may also collect in the abdomen, which could make you feel bloated. In more serious cases, fluid may collect in the chest, which can lead to trouble breathing. Let your doctor or nurse know right away if you suddenly gain weight, notice swelling in any part of your body, or develop shortness of breath."
So, whether it's the Revlimid or dex that's causing the swelling in your husband's legs, you should check with a doctor about it really soon.
Re: Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) while on Revlimid
I was on Revlimid and a daily 325mg enteric encoated aspirin and developed a pulmonary embolism. My onc and multiple myeloma specialist decided it was ok to take me off after 4 months of maintenance. I had a Auto transplant 6 months prior and in CR. I was put on coumadin for 1 year to break down the clot.
Re: Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) while on Revlimid
My understanding is that Coumadin [warfarin] does not break down the clot, but keeps others from forming.
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coachhoke - Name: coachhoke
- When were you/they diagnosed?: Apri 2012
- Age at diagnosis: 71
Re: Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) while on Revlimid
I was told that the body eventually dissolves the clot and the blood thinner helps to prevent future clots.
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coopershawk - Who do you know with myeloma?: No one else.
- When were you/they diagnosed?: August 2010
- Age at diagnosis: 64
Re: Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) while on Revlimid
Anonymous I wouldn't wait to see the doctor about the swelling. It could also be a kidney problem and they aren't unheard of with multiple myeloma.
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Wayne K - Name: Wayne
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Myself, my sister who passed in '95
- When were you/they diagnosed?: 03/09
- Age at diagnosis: 70
Re: Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) while on Revlimid
The risk of DVT with Revlimid is associated with the addition of dexamethasone and the more dex that is taken, the higher the risk. Single-agent maintenance Revlimid is not associated with a significantly higher risk of DVT.
As long as there is not a bleeding complication and you stay on a appropriate anti-thrombotic, you have no more DVT event, and you are benefitting from Revlimid, I would recommend continuing the Revlimid.
All the best.
As long as there is not a bleeding complication and you stay on a appropriate anti-thrombotic, you have no more DVT event, and you are benefitting from Revlimid, I would recommend continuing the Revlimid.
All the best.
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Dr. Jatin Shah - Name: Jatin Shah, M.D.
Beacon Medical Advisor
17 posts
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