Just joined group

[Shadow62]

Was diagnosed in 2014; had chemo & went into remission. Just started in imbruvica today. How long until side effects might begin?

[Lola69]

Hello 👋 welcome! each person is diff. For me I experienced only easy bruising but if I’m careful I won’t get any. ..do u know the list of side effects?

[Shadow62 in reply to Lola69]

I certainly do but wasn’t sure how soon they started. Thanks

[Riyasat in reply to Lola69]

What do you mean by easy bruising? My English is not good so not understanding. Can you give example or explain? Thank you

[Lola69 in reply to Riyasat]

If I bang my arm or leg it turns blue fast

[Cllcanada Top Poster CURE Hero]

Its very patient specific...some patients have none initially, others after several months... be certain to stay well hydrated, read al, the handouts, and if you run a temperature above 38C or 100.4F for an call the 24/7 doctor line or head to energency care...

My side effects started the second day with diarrhea...

Here is a resonably complete list of side effects, some are more common than others, most patients might get none some a few...

chemocare.com/chemotherapy/...

~chris

[Shadow62 in reply to Cllcanada]

Thank you so much. I have the same handout & aware of all of the side effects. Hoping minimal.

[tlcladygiraffe in reply to Shadow62]

It is different for everyone..mine started 3 months after with high blood pressure and rapid heart beat...the most common ones.....fatigue and bruising also..have been on it for a year....

[Shadow62 in reply to tlcladygiraffe]

Thank you so much.

[8700paul in reply to tlcladygiraffe]

HI just out of curiosity , I have been on imbruvica about 5 months now and all of a sudden my blood pressure went from 120 over 80 to 160 over 91 .........Can i ask how high your blood pressure jumped and what pill works best Thanks for any info Regards Paul

[tlcladygiraffe in reply to 8700paul]

My bp was not that high but amlodipine brought it down to 120/70 and even lower....but now have major swelling in ankles and legs due to the drug...biggest side effect..will see my dr to advise me...those calcium channel blockers do that

[BeckyLUSA]

The diarreah hit me at about week 4. Other issues have been off and on and not long lived. It’s really strange the way they come and go. The only one that that has come and stayed is the issue with my nails and finger tips. But as others have said, everyone is different.

Good luck! Maybe you will be one of the fortunate ones that don’t have any.

BeckyL USA

[Shadow62 in reply to BeckyLUSA]

Thanks so much Becky. Appreciate your input.

[francc]

Yes, the one thing we have all learned is that we are all quite different. I am starting my 6th year on Imbruvica. Diarrhea came the first morning. Bruising was amazing...my entire lower left arm slowly became "black & blue" from a small garden prick. I still bruise easily but no longer to that extreme. Finger nails peeled and cracked non-stop. (Thumbs were the worst, gradually improving gradually over to the ring finger with no problems with the pinkies. No issues with the toes). I have been taking biotin for fingernails. I discovered that 1 collagen tablet per day improved diarrhea issues. I have had no Afib issues at all, thank goodness. Lately I have experienced some mild cramping so I have increased my water intake. I have always drunk a lot of water and have my bottle with me at ALL times, but I assume I must have been slacking off. I play pickleball several hours a day and (now paying closer attention to my habits) noticed that I rarely stop for a drink.

Take care and hope you easily weather the side effects. ---fran

[Shadow62 in reply to francc]

Thank you so much for the info.

[W00dfin]

I started aching knees and hands about a week after starting Ibrutinib, usually one joint at a time. After the first two months those decreased greatly both in frequency and intensity.

[Shadow62 in reply to W00dfin]

Thanks so much for the info. That is exactly what I started experiencing just this morning on day 3 of starting Ibrutinib. Hopefully won’t last too long.

[W00dfin in reply to Shadow62]

I found good results from a combination of ice packs and the Salonpas pain patches.