I'm exactly one year out from my autologous stem cell transplant and doing well. However, in the last month or so I've been experiencing painful hand stiffness (not cramping) first thing in the morning. Once I flex my hands a few times, this goes away, but the first few movements are painful. I have some swollen finger joints as well.
One of the difficult things to discern at this point is what is actually related to myeloma, to the Revlimid maintenance, or may actually be something new to deal with.
Is this something that happens post transplant or on Revlimid maintenance, and is there a good solution (even if it's just a good, safe anti-inflammatory)?
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GoDucks - Name: GoDucks
- Who do you know with myeloma?: me
- When were you/they diagnosed?: March, 2017
- Age at diagnosis: 61
Re: Hand stiffness post transplant on Revlimid maintenance
Revlimid can cause peripheral neuropathy. In fact, it's fairly common.
However, it could also be good old fashioned arthritis. At our age, at this time of year, that happens. Since you can 'work it out' by exercising your hand a bit, and since you are dealing with swollen joints, that's the direction I'd be aiming at if it were happening to me.
However, it's something you should mention to your doctor the next time you see him or her. I'll bet you anything, though, that NSAIDS or other inflammatory medications are off your prescription list, and if it is arthritis, Tylenol (acetaminophen / paracetamol) just ain't gonna cut it. At least, it doesn't for me.
Whether or not it is a new thing coming from the multiple myeloma? Yeah, you need to mention it. The problem here is that multiple myeloma or not, we are all still getting older and all the stuff that messes with everybody else (like arthritis or carpal tunnel syndrome or just plain everything else that comes with having been on the planet for sixty odd years) still gets us, too.
Everything should just stop and let us deal with multiple myeloma and leave us alone. That's fair, right?
However, it could also be good old fashioned arthritis. At our age, at this time of year, that happens. Since you can 'work it out' by exercising your hand a bit, and since you are dealing with swollen joints, that's the direction I'd be aiming at if it were happening to me.
However, it's something you should mention to your doctor the next time you see him or her. I'll bet you anything, though, that NSAIDS or other inflammatory medications are off your prescription list, and if it is arthritis, Tylenol (acetaminophen / paracetamol) just ain't gonna cut it. At least, it doesn't for me.
Whether or not it is a new thing coming from the multiple myeloma? Yeah, you need to mention it. The problem here is that multiple myeloma or not, we are all still getting older and all the stuff that messes with everybody else (like arthritis or carpal tunnel syndrome or just plain everything else that comes with having been on the planet for sixty odd years) still gets us, too.
Everything should just stop and let us deal with multiple myeloma and leave us alone. That's fair, right?
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dianaiad - Who do you know with myeloma?: Me
- When were you/they diagnosed?: Officially...March 2013
- Age at diagnosis: 63
Re: Hand stiffness post transplant on Revlimid maintenance
This is an empathy reply as my medical knowledge is limited to treatment with a Band-Aid.
I too am 1 year from autologous transplant on Revlimid maintenance experiencing finger joint pain, especially in the morning. However, the pain is only on days following my construction of a retaining wall, lifting 80 pound blocks. Never experienced this type of stiff pain in past physically demanding projects, but I'm now 72 years young, so ... Don't have swollen joints either.
I agree with discussing this with your doctor. Also, if this doesn't hamper you in performing daily tasks, i.e. writing, eating, etc., why concern yourself. Sometimes a condition like multiple myeloma along with having endured a stem cell transplant makes us overly sensitive to every bodily signal, i.e. aching fingers. I too don't know if some aches and pains are related to the condition or to aging. Just keep on keeping on, and unless it interferes with your quality of life, ignore it.
Disclaimer: The above does not constitute medical advice. Should you experience prolonged pain, seek medical attention.
I too am 1 year from autologous transplant on Revlimid maintenance experiencing finger joint pain, especially in the morning. However, the pain is only on days following my construction of a retaining wall, lifting 80 pound blocks. Never experienced this type of stiff pain in past physically demanding projects, but I'm now 72 years young, so ... Don't have swollen joints either.
I agree with discussing this with your doctor. Also, if this doesn't hamper you in performing daily tasks, i.e. writing, eating, etc., why concern yourself. Sometimes a condition like multiple myeloma along with having endured a stem cell transplant makes us overly sensitive to every bodily signal, i.e. aching fingers. I too don't know if some aches and pains are related to the condition or to aging. Just keep on keeping on, and unless it interferes with your quality of life, ignore it.
Disclaimer: The above does not constitute medical advice. Should you experience prolonged pain, seek medical attention.
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jimluby - Name: jim l
- Who do you know with myeloma?: self
- When were you/they diagnosed?: 2015
- Age at diagnosis: 69
Re: Hand stiffness post transplant on Revlimid maintenance
GoDucks,
I’m sorry to hear about your troubles, but I think Dianaiad is probably right. Since my transplant, I have developed some arthritis in my left hand that can be very painful and has made it difficult for me to hold things at times or do things like open jars. My multiple myeloma is stable right now, although I am not in remission. I asked my doctor why I was still fatigued, having these troubles, and he said, “You have been hammered, and are prematurely aged.” That wasn’t the easiest thing to hear, but I think the multiple myeloma and the treatments are very hard on our bodies, and I suspect they may advance normal effects of aging and might allow other conditions that have been handled by our bodies previously to emerge and cause us problems.
That said, it would be good to discuss it with your doctor and maybe get a scan to ensure it is not directly related to the myeloma. Tylenol helps me sometimes, but our choices are limited. I agree everything else should leave us alone!
My best wishes for you.
I’m sorry to hear about your troubles, but I think Dianaiad is probably right. Since my transplant, I have developed some arthritis in my left hand that can be very painful and has made it difficult for me to hold things at times or do things like open jars. My multiple myeloma is stable right now, although I am not in remission. I asked my doctor why I was still fatigued, having these troubles, and he said, “You have been hammered, and are prematurely aged.” That wasn’t the easiest thing to hear, but I think the multiple myeloma and the treatments are very hard on our bodies, and I suspect they may advance normal effects of aging and might allow other conditions that have been handled by our bodies previously to emerge and cause us problems.
That said, it would be good to discuss it with your doctor and maybe get a scan to ensure it is not directly related to the myeloma. Tylenol helps me sometimes, but our choices are limited. I agree everything else should leave us alone!
My best wishes for you.
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dranton - Name: Anton Tolman
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Self
- When were you/they diagnosed?: August, 2014
- Age at diagnosis: 51
Re: Hand stiffness post transplant on Revlimid maintenance
I’d like to simply add a quick note since we are on similar timeframes and we are having similar muscle / joint aches in our hands. I, too, attribute it to Revlimid, and my doctor agreed this is likely. Since the discomfort subsides relatively quickly, I just roll with it as my new norm. I’m happy it goes away and I’m not dealing with it as chronic through entire day. It is a rather curious feeling, and I’m happy it resolves itself. My stem cell transplant was in November 2017, and I am in remission. I haven’t started vaccinations yet due to hypogammaglobulinemia, which is being treated with IVIG infusions. Blood tests are starting to reflect normal ranges (joy!), but the doctors are keeping me housebound and infused through cold / flu season.
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RitaPhila - Name: Rita
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Self
- When were you/they diagnosed?: 2016
- Age at diagnosis: 62
Re: Hand stiffness post transplant on Revlimid maintenance
I appreciate all the replies. Thank you all so much. The stiffness is somewhat better and does not seem to be interfering with my ability to function during the day. Like several of you mentioned, it might simply be the onset of arthritis, or aging, or the effects of getting "hammered" by treatment. In my case, it could also have been an overly enthusiastic yoga experience. Who knew you could get injured in yoga? Anyway, best wishes for a steady and uneventful 2019.
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GoDucks - Name: GoDucks
- Who do you know with myeloma?: me
- When were you/they diagnosed?: March, 2017
- Age at diagnosis: 61
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