I've been on Revlimid and dexamethasone for multiple myeloma for about 5 months. I've suffered a loss of short term memory starting around the same time.
My doctor says that he is unaware of a connection between my medication and loss of memory.
I was wondering, however, if it may be more common than my doctor thinks. Does anyone know? Can anyone suggest ways to reduce this possible side effect of the medication?
I am 80 years old, so that it may be only coincidental that the memory loss is occurring due to age factors rather than the Revlimid.
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Mort99 - Name: Mort99
- Who do you know with myeloma?: My Wife
- When were you/they diagnosed?: November 2017
- Age at diagnosis: 79
Re: Memory loss due to Revlimid?
Hi Mort99,
Since my diagnosis in 2015, I have been on a number of drugs (including Revlimid), and have noticed a deterioration in my memory. Others who have posted here in the forum have noticed the same. I can’t pinpoint the memory deterioration to being on Revlimid, but the fact that cancer-fighting drugs can affect cognition is widespread enough to have earned it a name: “chemo brain”. If you Google that term, you will find multiple articles about it.
Some folks report that it goes away once drug treatment stops.
I also worry about it being age-related (I’m 68). But then I tell myself that I have enough to worry about with multiple myeloma.
I hope your memory problems clear up. Revlimid is an effective myeloma drug, so I hope it does the job for you.
Best of luck!
Since my diagnosis in 2015, I have been on a number of drugs (including Revlimid), and have noticed a deterioration in my memory. Others who have posted here in the forum have noticed the same. I can’t pinpoint the memory deterioration to being on Revlimid, but the fact that cancer-fighting drugs can affect cognition is widespread enough to have earned it a name: “chemo brain”. If you Google that term, you will find multiple articles about it.
Some folks report that it goes away once drug treatment stops.
I also worry about it being age-related (I’m 68). But then I tell myself that I have enough to worry about with multiple myeloma.
I hope your memory problems clear up. Revlimid is an effective myeloma drug, so I hope it does the job for you.
Best of luck!
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MrPotatohead - Name: MrPotatohead
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Me
- When were you/they diagnosed?: March, 2015
- Age at diagnosis: 65
Re: Memory loss due to Revlimid?
My memory is getting worse too. Not sure if it’s from far less exercise, moderate use of opioids, the 8 1/2 years of various chemical therapies, aging (only 55), or a combination of all of the above.
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Stann - Name: Stann
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Myself
- When were you/they diagnosed?: 9/11/09
- Age at diagnosis: 46
Re: Memory loss due to Revlimid?
Hi Mort99,
I have had Revlimid back in 2012 and I am currently receiving Pomalyst (Imnovid, pomalidomide). These drugs have the effect of making it more likely that the blood clots. In order to reduce this risk of such clots, I have been prescribed various blood thinning treatments, such as aspirin and currently Innohep (tinzaparin) injections every morning.
If you think of the human brain as a biological computer, it is easy to understand why this computer may become less efficient if the blood easily clots. Without doubt, memory deterioration is a very common side effect during treatment and generally improves when the treatment ends. I find it helpful to be as physically active as possible, walking, gardening, meeting friends for a chat. Also a good level of mental activity, reading, discussing your interests and hobbies. I would try to avoid prolonged periods of inactivity, sleeping during the day for example seems to exacerbate the problem.
Best Wishes from Victor L
I have had Revlimid back in 2012 and I am currently receiving Pomalyst (Imnovid, pomalidomide). These drugs have the effect of making it more likely that the blood clots. In order to reduce this risk of such clots, I have been prescribed various blood thinning treatments, such as aspirin and currently Innohep (tinzaparin) injections every morning.
If you think of the human brain as a biological computer, it is easy to understand why this computer may become less efficient if the blood easily clots. Without doubt, memory deterioration is a very common side effect during treatment and generally improves when the treatment ends. I find it helpful to be as physically active as possible, walking, gardening, meeting friends for a chat. Also a good level of mental activity, reading, discussing your interests and hobbies. I would try to avoid prolonged periods of inactivity, sleeping during the day for example seems to exacerbate the problem.
Best Wishes from Victor L
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Victor L - Name: Victor L
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Me
- When were you/they diagnosed?: 2012
- Age at diagnosis: 58
Re: Memory loss due to Revlimid?
Interesting that you bring up your memory loss experience on Revlimid.
I've attributed my memory issues to low-dose statins. But now that I'm on a Revlimid holiday, the memory issues seem to be less.
My oncologist explained that Revlimid decreases glutathione and suppresses the Krebs cycle. This is the biological process that generates ATP, delivers energy to everywhere. Suppress Krebs cycle and depress energy everywhere, exactly what we all feel. That everywhere includes the brain. Seems reasonable to also affect memory.
My oncologist was very clear that you should not do anything to enhance glutathione. That would decrease the efficacy of Revlimid. I could not find anything to support his claim. I finally called Celgene, and they did confirm this. So I stopped taking alpha lipoic acid and melatonin (with doctor approval).
My oncologist also said that the same factor with glutathione affects all the anti-neoplastic treatments (including melphalan) and the proteasome inhibitors like Velcade.
Celgene also mentioned that Revlimid depletes minerals. I was told that taking mineral supplements would not affect Revlimid's efficacy. I still get muscle cramps, but not the debilitating kind.
I've attributed my memory issues to low-dose statins. But now that I'm on a Revlimid holiday, the memory issues seem to be less.
My oncologist explained that Revlimid decreases glutathione and suppresses the Krebs cycle. This is the biological process that generates ATP, delivers energy to everywhere. Suppress Krebs cycle and depress energy everywhere, exactly what we all feel. That everywhere includes the brain. Seems reasonable to also affect memory.
My oncologist was very clear that you should not do anything to enhance glutathione. That would decrease the efficacy of Revlimid. I could not find anything to support his claim. I finally called Celgene, and they did confirm this. So I stopped taking alpha lipoic acid and melatonin (with doctor approval).
My oncologist also said that the same factor with glutathione affects all the anti-neoplastic treatments (including melphalan) and the proteasome inhibitors like Velcade.
Celgene also mentioned that Revlimid depletes minerals. I was told that taking mineral supplements would not affect Revlimid's efficacy. I still get muscle cramps, but not the debilitating kind.
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faithoverfear - Who do you know with myeloma?: me
- When were you/they diagnosed?: Sept 2014
- Age at diagnosis: 63
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