I no longer wished to tolerate the side effects of Revlimid (diarrhea, fatigue, low mood) maintenance therapy, and was showing a small amount of disease activity. So my doc put me on subcutaneous Velcade weekly, with 20mg Dex. No problems first week. Second week my heart began skipping beats, something I'd never had before. Skipped Dex third week and heart was much better, but had a day of fatigue and a slight fever. Took Dex fourth week and arrhythmia is worse, with beats skipped sometimes only two to four apart. Very scary. Usually is worst the day after treatment, and lasts for a couple of more days, gradually decreasing.
Anyone else had this? What did you do about it?
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Re: Velcade-Dex heart rhythm problems
Yes, I had the same side effects and now visit the heart doctor regularly. But I had off and on irregular heartbeat before the treatment.
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brandy - Who do you know with myeloma?: Me
- When were you/they diagnosed?: May 2013
- Age at diagnosis: 67
Re: Velcade-Dex heart rhythm problems
Hi Ron,
I take Velcade and dex. 40mg a week of dex. I don't have any arrhythmias but do experience a higher resting heart beat frequently. It hasn't presented any problems for me. Hope this gets better for you.
I take Velcade and dex. 40mg a week of dex. I don't have any arrhythmias but do experience a higher resting heart beat frequently. It hasn't presented any problems for me. Hope this gets better for you.
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kjpoppit - Name: Kim Nelson
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Me
- When were you/they diagnosed?: Sept. 19th, 2013
- Age at diagnosis: 47
Re: Velcade-Dex heart rhythm problems
Ron,
I was first on VRD and now just VD with a subcutaneous shot once every two weeks and 8 mg of dex at the same time. It is common for dex to increase your heart rate. The other common side effects are hiccups, insomnia, flushness, heartburn and moodiness. Over the course of the last 5 years, I have experienced all of those side effects. I would see if you can get the dex reduced down to 8 mg. That amount once a week should still be enough to boost the effects of the Velcade, which is why they give you the dex. You will still have side effects but they should be reduced including, perhaps, your irregular and increased HR.
Good Luck
Ron
I was first on VRD and now just VD with a subcutaneous shot once every two weeks and 8 mg of dex at the same time. It is common for dex to increase your heart rate. The other common side effects are hiccups, insomnia, flushness, heartburn and moodiness. Over the course of the last 5 years, I have experienced all of those side effects. I would see if you can get the dex reduced down to 8 mg. That amount once a week should still be enough to boost the effects of the Velcade, which is why they give you the dex. You will still have side effects but they should be reduced including, perhaps, your irregular and increased HR.
Good Luck
Ron
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Ron Harvot - Name: Ron Harvot
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Myself
- When were you/they diagnosed?: Feb 2009
- Age at diagnosis: 56
Re: Velcade-Dex heart rhythm problems
My first treatment was Velcade and prednisone and it worked great for me. The only problem I had with the steroid was with sleeping after the first heavy doses each series.
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Wayne K - Name: Wayne
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Myself, my sister who passed in '95
- When were you/they diagnosed?: 03/09
- Age at diagnosis: 70
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