[ClassicKate]

Pomalyst side effect - night sweats?

by ClassicKate on Fri Jul 03, 2015 11:39 am

I am 9 months past autologous stem cell transplant (ASCT). I am on Pomalyst maintenance (cur­rently cycle 7), 4 mg/day.

Over the past 3 or 4 months I have developed a couple of new symptoms, including night sweats.

Have any of you experienced night sweats with Pomalyst?

(The night sweats are my predominant concern, but FYI, I also have a constantly runny nose; ears feel "full" / echoing; persistent light cough ).

Kate

[Tracy J]

Re: Pomalyst side effect - night sweats?

by Tracy J on Sat Jul 04, 2015 10:10 pm

I am following along in this thread because I am starting pomalidomide this month, so I am curious about others' experiences.

When I get a little experience with it, I will post here.

[frangipangi1]

Re: Pomalyst side effect - night sweats?

by frangipangi1 on Wed Jul 08, 2015 9:32 am

New to posting, I follow the forums weekly. July 9, 2015 is my 7-year anniversary for SCT. It's been a long road, but I'm not finished yet.

Currently, Pomalyst is my poison. Yes, it has side effects. Treatment started January past. The hand tremors were first, sinus problems, your usual weakness, tired. Recently, leg tremors really bother me. Was and try to stay active through all, but the legs must not give out.

Keep strong. Frangi

[frangipangi1]

Re: Pomalyst side effect - night sweats?

by frangipangi1 on Wed Jul 08, 2015 10:01 am

My memory isn't what I expect of myself, bummer. I used to be 60 going on 40. I have very good days, and always push myself to keep a positive outlook on life.

I forgot to mention diet, very important part of treatment, especially with Pomalyst. I love food, but found out I can only eat when and what my body needs. I have never been overweight, so that isn't a problem. My body with Pomalyst is restricting my intake and output. Keeping myself regular is a problem. Balance your meals – veggies, grains, proteins, etc., to keep myself on track. I have to take daily softeners, lots of water, juices, and m-lax, and stay on a very regular meal schedule. If not, I'm in big trouble.

Exercise is a must, just part of my life. Your mind is so important also. Read all you can about your treatments, tests, and keep it sharp. It depends on you to get the job done.

Thanks for your time.

Frangi

[JimNY]

Re: Pomalyst side effect - night sweats?

by JimNY on Wed Jul 08, 2015 1:47 pm

Hi Kate,

Are you taking dexamethasone along with the Pomalyst? Lots of times, it's the dex that causes night sweats when people get them during treatment. See, for example, the postings in this forum thread, which is about excessive sweating related to dex (or perhaps Revlimid, which is in the same class of drugs as Pomalyst):

"Sweating buckets while taking Revlimid and dex" (started Feb 9, 2013)

There's also a posting by Dr. Voorhees in this forum thread in this discussion that indicates sweating can be a result of myeloma itself:

"Smoldering myeloma and night sweats" (started Oct 18, 2014)

Have you been responding well to the Pomalyst? When did you have your most recent labs, and what did they show?

[Rneb]

Re: Pomalyst side effect - night sweats?

by Rneb on Wed Jul 08, 2015 7:42 pm

I have detected an emerging view of many Primary Providers and MD's that Sleep apnea can/ does cause many symptoms that are being associated with major medical issues.

A couple of friends were diagnosed recently with Atrial Fib. Several others have been diagnosed with AF over the past 3-5 years. (the 45-65 age group)
If my friends don't have AF--then they have cancer--or are "health Freaks"--sheesh!

Meds and Map & Zap ( Cardiac Ablation= an expensive and intrusive process), were used in the past, predominately, along with "Thinners".

Lately, many Cardiologists are endorsing / discovering " Sleep Apnea" as a primary cause of various "symptoms", such as AF and associated racing BP's, lite headedness, fainting, extreme fatigue, and odd things such as "nite Sweats".
2 of my friends took "Sleep -studies"* and yes, they had AF ( and sleep apnea). Yes, they stopped breathing often and for prolonged periods, during a sleep cycle. They now sleep with a CPAP.

Their prescribed treatments included : Lose weight; balance life-style; keep blood thinned; use CPAP; exercise regularly; Niacin, etc ---and reduce stress--especially job stress.
( As opposed to --Beta Blockers and femoral approach "Map & Zap " with a low percent, long term response rate and $$$$ )

I have nite sweats. Revlimid? Sleep Apnea ? ( I don't do Dex, if I can help it!) foam Pillows ? Atrial Fib ? Who Knows...
The point is: we all could have a couple of things going on--and the big $$ is on Sleep apnea.
I know I could drop 30-40 lbs and be very happy..!

So, I made a check up with my family MD ( the one who caught my MM--Sharp Guy !) for my September annual exam. I missed last years exam, because I had so many dag blamed Blood tests and appts with Oncology--surely they would catch anything amiss !! ??

Tracy J can sure shoot down my fallacious thinking on that one.!!

I think we need to get regular exams--and not lean too heavy on Oncology for all answers. I plan to continue being a side sleeper, until September.

* Besides: "How do you study for a sleep test ??"

Good luck.

[ClassicKate]

Re: Pomalyst side effect - night sweats?

by ClassicKate on Fri Jul 17, 2015 2:29 pm

Thanks to each of you for the helpful inputs and links to Pomalyst side effects. I agree with keeping this thread going, since Pomalyst is new to so many of us and likely to have un­ex­pected side effects.

My myeloma doctor and I decided to see what happens during my week off from Pomalyst. That week has just begun. I will post the outcome if it proves to be worthwhile.

Kate

[Tracy J]

Re: Pomalyst side effect - night sweats?

by Tracy J on Sat Jul 18, 2015 10:44 am

This is a little off the thread topic, but in response to Rneb:

You are right, Rneb, sleep apnea is indeed a big deal. It is certainly associated with a whole bunch of cardiovascular risks. True sleep apnea is snoring, with periods of apnea (no air movement for at least 10 seconds), and hypoxia (low oxygen levels) during the night. Sleep apnea is part of a broader general category of "sleep-related breathing disorder," or SRBD.

Here is a quote from Emedicine's article on Obstructive Sleep Apnea:

The SRBD continuum suggests that over time, untreated OSA may hasten death through heart disease, hypertension, stroke, myocardial infarction, heart failure, cardiac arrhythmia, diabetes, metabolic syndrome, or vehicular or other accident due to sleepiness or other behavioral effects noted.

It seems at first glance that the mechanics of sleep apnea are simple, but it turns out they are not. There are all kinds of interesting links with inflammation and oxidative stress, and even changes in mitochondrial DNA.

http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/295807-overview#a2

So, yes, it's certainly worth attention and attempts to fix it.