Hello all,
My brother, day 28 post auto stem cell transplant (SCT), suddenly had a problem with his hand and wrist. Only right side, fingers all curl in forming a fist, and wrist is weak and he's unable to lift the hand. No pain as in cramping. He can push his fingers and hand to make it straight, but it returns to the curled in position right away. His grip as well is not good. This has been consistent for 24 hours now.
Anyone have any experience with this happening or perhaps have read about it? I have seen the symptoms described but not correlated to his multiple myeloma – which may be the case.
Thanks and best wishes to you all.
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4 posts
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greenrobin - Who do you know with myeloma?: My brother
- When were you/they diagnosed?: 12/2014
- Age at diagnosis: 54
Re: Weakness in hands after stem cell transplant
Hello Greenrobin:
I thought about your post a little bit. It sounds that he may have a neuro issue. I have nothing that I could say about that other than the obvious to get a neuro consult. But I thought the following, it is relatively rare to get neuro issues directly from the ASCT.
What is much more common is severe muscular atrophy, which my opinion is that it occurs from the prolonged fatigue and physical inactivity (and not directly from the melphalan).
If the more common issue is what is causing the shaking, then I will share with you the following: My wife's ASCT was in February of this year. She was home, but it was very cold in the northeast, and she was uncomfortable going out to walk. We had a treadmill, but she was afraid in her weak condition to ride it in case she might fall all alone (I was at work). I and our older kids arrived back home late in the day, and she was too tired to do the treadmill then. As the weather got warmer, we were slowly at first able to get a decent amount of walks in.
In order to jump start the process, we decided to ask for physical therapy in June, that started in July. It made a HUGE difference. My wife loved it. After about six weeks, her endurance came back, her muscle tone returned. She felt better and looked better (which made her feel better too).
I am suggesting your brother start that slowly. Maybe during walks, carry a weight (start at 1 pound), swing it. The PT taught my wife an arm exercise with an elastic ribbon, which helped the arm strength. If your brother's issue is from the muscle atrophy, then I hope that he can try something along these lines, and it helps.
Carrying the idea a little bit further, at our center, PT was not a standard part of the "program" (which was otherwise very good), but in my opinion, it should be for all ASCT's.
Good luck.
I thought about your post a little bit. It sounds that he may have a neuro issue. I have nothing that I could say about that other than the obvious to get a neuro consult. But I thought the following, it is relatively rare to get neuro issues directly from the ASCT.
What is much more common is severe muscular atrophy, which my opinion is that it occurs from the prolonged fatigue and physical inactivity (and not directly from the melphalan).
If the more common issue is what is causing the shaking, then I will share with you the following: My wife's ASCT was in February of this year. She was home, but it was very cold in the northeast, and she was uncomfortable going out to walk. We had a treadmill, but she was afraid in her weak condition to ride it in case she might fall all alone (I was at work). I and our older kids arrived back home late in the day, and she was too tired to do the treadmill then. As the weather got warmer, we were slowly at first able to get a decent amount of walks in.
In order to jump start the process, we decided to ask for physical therapy in June, that started in July. It made a HUGE difference. My wife loved it. After about six weeks, her endurance came back, her muscle tone returned. She felt better and looked better (which made her feel better too).
I am suggesting your brother start that slowly. Maybe during walks, carry a weight (start at 1 pound), swing it. The PT taught my wife an arm exercise with an elastic ribbon, which helped the arm strength. If your brother's issue is from the muscle atrophy, then I hope that he can try something along these lines, and it helps.
Carrying the idea a little bit further, at our center, PT was not a standard part of the "program" (which was otherwise very good), but in my opinion, it should be for all ASCT's.
Good luck.
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JPC - Name: JPC
Re: Weakness in hands after stem cell transplant
Hi! My husband is at day +52 post ASCT and has not had a problem with his hands as you have described. His biggest problem is the de-conditioning of his legs and arms because of the fatigue and physical inactivity. Even though he walked daily around the ward while in the hospital, he still lost muscle tone and just this week has been able to go on a 2 mile walk with me in the mornings. He's tired after, but he knows that each day of exercise will help him get better.
As for your brother, I would call his myeloma doctor and see what he/she says about this issue. There could be any number of reasons why this would happen and your specialist would be the first place I would go to for help.
I wish your brother good luck with this issue and may he have an excellent recovery!
As for your brother, I would call his myeloma doctor and see what he/she says about this issue. There could be any number of reasons why this would happen and your specialist would be the first place I would go to for help.
I wish your brother good luck with this issue and may he have an excellent recovery!
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ByYourSide - Name: Susan
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Husband
- When were you/they diagnosed?: December 2014
- Age at diagnosis: 65
Re: Weakness in hands after stem cell transplant
Hi Susan and JPC,
Thank you for your thoughtful replies. We did call his specialist right away, and my brother was sent to the ER with suspected stroke. That is a story in and of itself.
As it turned out he most likely has a pinched ulnar nerve. He will know more tomorrow when he has a neuro consult. He fell asleep in an upright position leaning on his desk - that is what is suspected to be the cause. Still should rule out any issues with his back, and there are many, that may have caused this to happen.
My brother had an outpatient stem cell transplant with very few problems. He is probably pushing himself too hard and does have a hard time with focus and fatigue. Because the stem cell transplant went smoothly I think he expected to get right back on the horse. He is trying acupuncture and hopes it will help with the pretty severe neuropathy he has. He has been twice and we have high hopes!
I agree that PT should be offered to all as part of the stem cell transplant - wouldnt that be great?
Sending very best wishes to your husband and wife! And to you both too!
Thank you for your thoughtful replies. We did call his specialist right away, and my brother was sent to the ER with suspected stroke. That is a story in and of itself.
As it turned out he most likely has a pinched ulnar nerve. He will know more tomorrow when he has a neuro consult. He fell asleep in an upright position leaning on his desk - that is what is suspected to be the cause. Still should rule out any issues with his back, and there are many, that may have caused this to happen.
My brother had an outpatient stem cell transplant with very few problems. He is probably pushing himself too hard and does have a hard time with focus and fatigue. Because the stem cell transplant went smoothly I think he expected to get right back on the horse. He is trying acupuncture and hopes it will help with the pretty severe neuropathy he has. He has been twice and we have high hopes!
I agree that PT should be offered to all as part of the stem cell transplant - wouldnt that be great?
Sending very best wishes to your husband and wife! And to you both too!
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greenrobin - Who do you know with myeloma?: My brother
- When were you/they diagnosed?: 12/2014
- Age at diagnosis: 54
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