[Lissah88]

My Dad had a stroke while on Revlimid

by Lissah88 on Mon Nov 16, 2015 10:26 pm

I'm new to this, so I'll try not to be long-winded.

My Dad was diagnosed with multiple myeloma 4 1/2 years ago. He was first diagnosed with just "muscle spasms" in his back. He had severe back pain for quite sometime and had finally gone to the doctor. The next two weeks we had him in the ER 3 times, no xrays were done ... nothing. They just poked around. By the time he went for his follow-up appointment, he was in renal failure, cardio enzymes were through the roof, he had dementia (from the calcium leaking), blood pressure was horrible. He was transferred to hospital 45 minutes from us with specialists to help him. We thought for sure we were going to lose him.

But he was in the hospital 3 weeks. He did have a stem cell transplant that October (was diagnosed June 1st). He did amazingly well for 2 years and then the multiple myeloma came back. They did a second stem cell transplant, which went just as well and they put him on Revlimid. (I'm not sure if he was also on dexamethasone too.)

No one told us that his cancer and this / these drugs cause blood clots. I know he had one before, but they put him on warfarin and it went away. (My mom is not very good at relaying what the doctor says. The only time us kids have a chance to talk to the doctors is when he is hospitalized. Otherwise Mom and Dad keep things from us and only tell us bits and pieces.)

While on the Revlimid, my Dad was taking a regular aspirin a day. On October 12th this year, my Dad had a seizure in the car with my Mom. (He wasn't driving.) He had had a stroke. He proceeded to have 3 more seizures and once again was transferred to the hospital 45 minutes away. When he left here, he was completely paralyzed on his right side, couldn't speak at all, couldn't see, and couldn't move his legs.

The doctor here asked if he could give him what they call the "clot buster". We ok'd it. My dad was home in 10 days.They want to possibly put him back on Revlimid. My parents are asking for our opinion on this. Dad is back on warfarin.

Help! My dad is 71 years old. I'm scared and don't want to lose him, but don't know what to do. Any advice would be great!

Scared in Wisconsin

[Maro]

Re: My Dad had a stroke while on Revlimid

by Maro on Tue Nov 17, 2015 5:09 am

Hi Lissah,

Blood clots are indeed a possible side effect of Revlimid.

My mother is on Revlimid + dex since nearly 2 months.

To help prevent blood clots, she has an injection of Lovenox (enoxaparin) daily. It is very easy to do by yourself since it is pre-prepared in tiny injections, a bit like those who have diabetes do.

Also, the doctors recommended that she keeps moving every day if possible (walk around at home and try to maintain some activity).

Perhaps you can speak to the doctor and ask about Lovenox. It is really nothing special nor does it require much. It does need a prescription, however, and I am not sure how that works with your insurance, but it definitely is a preventive worth looking into.

Hope this helps.

Maro