[dianaiad]

Kyprolis and high blood pressure

by dianaiad on Mon May 22, 2017 12:12 am

I take amlodipine for my high blood pressure, which is so well controlled that the dose was actually lowered about a year ago. It has been running in the 120/60 range for quite awhile. However, now that I'm getting Kyprolis infusions (for two weeks), my blood pressure runs about 140/80, and that's after the nurses can coax it down that far. It has gone up to 175/ 90 at least twice during infusions, complete with headache, especially on Tuesday, which is 'dex' day.

I also get swollen feet. but only on the two days of infusions. My blood pressure goes down again the day after and gets normal again.

I spoke to my oncologist (well, sent an e-mail) who told me to talk to my PCP about my blood pressure issues. I can't get an appointment with him for several weeks, and going to urgent care for this won't help. I only have this issue on infusion days!

Not to mention that I'm with Kaiser and I actually had to explain to my PCP what multiple myeloma was the first time I went to him, and at that time he told me to go on a 'plant based' diet, take vitamins, and cut the salt and hydration. Needless to say, I, erm, ignored him.

What sort of things are usually done for high blood pressure from Kyprolis?

It seems obvious to me that my high blood pressure is Kyprolis related; it's certainly on the list of side effects to watch for. So why is my oncologist telling me to take it to my PCP?

Sometimes, over these last three weeks, 'frustration' is my new normal. (sigh)

[Castaway]

Re: Kyprolis and high blood pressure

by Castaway on Mon May 22, 2017 9:45 am

Dianaiad,

Sorry to hear of your blood pressure issues. I have Kyprolis infusions twice per week. Of course plus the good old dexamethasone 2 hours before each infusion. I am also taking Pomalyst. Myself, I have noticed that my blood pressure is fine on the first infusion day. About 114/60 is my normal. Probably due to my cycling it stays in that range.

But then the next day when I have my second infusion, my blood pressure is much higher. Sometimes close to the 140/80 as yours was. What happens to me is that I don't sleep well that first night after treatment due to the dex. I wake up (wide awake) around 2 am.

Then the whole thing starts again for treatment #2, starting with the dex. By the time I get to the oncologist, I feel that dex kick in and then the blood pressure is elevated on day 2.

I have swollen feet also; actually swollen ankles. Once it was just my right ankle so my oncologist thought it could be a blood clot. I had an ultrasound and all was fine. Possibly the Kyprolis is causing that as I never had swollen ankles until getting the Kyprolis infusion. The swelling goes away a day or so after the second infusion.

Castaway

[Nancy Shamanna]

Re: Kyprolis and high blood pressure

by Nancy Shamanna on Tue May 23, 2017 9:36 am

Hi Dianaiad,

Sorry to hear about your blood pressure issues with the new treatments you are taking. Wouldn't the cancer centre be sharing the results of your treatments, including blood pressure and pulse measurements, electronically with the PCP's office? I am surprised that your PCP does not have another doctor to which to refer patients while he/she is gone for a month. I don't think that your blood pressure measurements would be going unrecorded, even if it is just for one day of the week, by the health care system.

I agree with Castaway that one's blood pressure becomes lower with exercise (in my case, mostly walking). Hope that helps!