Enzalutamide and back pain: I am... - Advanced Prostate...

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Enzalutamide and back pain

MeliaQuinn profile image
18 Replies

I am wondering for those of you who have taken enzalutamide (xtandi) and experienced back pain was your pain generalized across the back or in a very specific location? My husband has only been on xtandi for three days but has had some very intense pain in a specific area of his vertebrae that wasn't there before. He has several bone mets so he knows the bone pain associated with that but this is different. More like a muscle spasm/pain? Also, has anyone taken a muscle relaxer such as flexeril along with oxycontin and enzalutamide? Thanks so much for your feedback.

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MeliaQuinn profile image
MeliaQuinn
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18 Replies
RayTrevitt profile image
RayTrevitt

I have been on Xtandi for nine months. I have mild ache/pain (only a 1 or 2 out of 10 on the pain scale) in my back in the area of my ribs. I have no noticeable mets in this area, yet I spend way too much time wondering whether it is the Xtandi, the cancer or my golf swing. I believe that back pain is listed as one of the possible side effects of Xtandi but also of Lupron and Zometa, which I am also on. I had the same kind of pain in my right hip for a while but it has been replaced by the pain in my back. It seems to lessen the farther away from my Zometa infusions I get. I hope this has been a little bit helpful.

MeliaQuinn profile image
MeliaQuinn in reply to RayTrevitt

Thanks so much! I know, with all of these treatments it is hard to separate what is causing what. I wish you all the best!

tango65 profile image
tango65

This is the drug interaction with oxycontin by medscape drug interaction checker:

Monitor Closely

cyclobenzaprine (flexeril)+ oxycodone

cyclobenzaprine and oxycodone both increase sedation. Use Caution/Monitor

Best of luck.

MeliaQuinn profile image
MeliaQuinn in reply to tango65

Thanks Tango - I will monitor closely and talk with the oncologist tomorrow.

tango65 profile image
tango65 in reply to MeliaQuinn

Best of luck on the journey.

JuanVV profile image
JuanVV

Just in case it's helpful. When my husband started Xtandi (he only takes that for his PC with mets) he had awful pains especially in the ribs. He even stopped taking pillls for 2 days which wasn't a good move I think because it could make him resistant. Anyway after the first weeks the pain subsided, and he's taking full dose. The problem is that it isn't keeping his PSA down, but at least it's not rising quickly. The onco says he's a difficult patient because of his other pathologies; heart and parkinson. He's having difficulty breathing, so sometimes short of breath.

MeliaQuinn profile image
MeliaQuinn in reply to JuanVV

Thank you for the information. I really hope the best for your husband in the days ahead!

larry_dammit profile image
larry_dammit

I had bad neuropathy with OxyContin and Xtandi, not supposed to take them together according to manufacturers, had to switch to morphine to control the pain

MeliaQuinn profile image
MeliaQuinn in reply to larry_dammit

Did not know that - thank you!

2dee profile image
2dee

Not on Xtandi but on Lupron ADT. Randomly developed pain down left side of back. No pain pill or treatment affected it. MO suggests Motrin and worked quickly.

2Dee

MeliaQuinn profile image
MeliaQuinn in reply to 2dee

Good to hear that you got some relief from the Motrin!

2dee profile image
2dee in reply to MeliaQuinn

It was surprising after all other methods failed. Only used for a week. Pain I find is very specific to what med has any effect.

I use Norco, CBD and THC, all in very controlled doses with MY goal to minimize each.

2Dee

zenbee13 profile image
zenbee13

Hi There,

I started on the full 160mg of Xtandi. After 3 weeks and crying in my Onc's office about the terrible pain in all of my joints we stopped, and now I am on just 120mg, and the pain is much less, tolerable even. Went from 8 on a 10 scale to a 3.

My case is a little unique as I have no mets, and severe arthritis in every major joint in my body. (A lot of sport and always the guy to give up his body for the team)

Anyway PSA has begun to drop again after restarting at 120mg.

Good luck!

Peace,

Bees

MeliaQuinn profile image
MeliaQuinn in reply to zenbee13

Wow - well I am glad to hear that you were able to get your pain to be at a "tolerable level". We ended up in the emergency room last night and the doc prescribed Soma (a muscle relaxer). My husband seems to be better today but my question is if the pain is a result of the Xtandi, then once he quits taking the muscle relaxer the pain should come back I would think. Difficult to know at this point if it is just a muscle spasm, or a bone met causing pain, or the Xtandi. I hope your PSA continues to decrease and that your pain remains tolerable, or better yet - completely disappears!

MontyB profile image
MontyB

Hello Melia, I am taking Xtandi and am experiencing the same type of pain as you describe for your husband. It feels like a severe muscle strain...upper back...shoulder blade level. I also have pain in my ribs but this pain is not as severe. Taking morphine for it and also use Theraworx.

Take Care, Monty

MeliaQuinn profile image
MeliaQuinn in reply to MontyB

Thanks Monty! How long have you been taking Xtandi and did the pain begin right away? Have you asked your onc about reducing the dosage? We ended up in the emergency room last night and the doc prescribed Soma (a muscle relaxer). My husband seems to be better today but my question is if the pain is a result of the Xtandi, then once he quits taking the muscle relaxer the pain should come back I would think. Difficult to know at this point if it is just a muscle spasm, or a bone met causing pain, or the Xtandi. So many variables when dealing with metastatic prostate cancer!

MontyB profile image
MontyB in reply to MeliaQuinn

Hello Melia, I am so sorry to hear about the back pain your husband is experiencing but it is very good to hear that he is better today. I've been taking Xtandi for 4 months. I was having some back pain when I started taking it, but the severe back pain started a month ago. I have not asked my MO about reducing the dosage as my PSA was over 1200 and it is much lower now with the Xtandi. You are absolutely correct...there are so many variables when dealing with metastatic prostate cancer. Take Care, Monty

MeliaQuinn profile image
MeliaQuinn in reply to MontyB

Thanks and the best to you!

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