Muscle cramps on Imbruvica

[rome3215]

I have been on Imbruvica for 23 weeks and have periodically had muscle cramps. Lately the cramps have been more frequent and in more numerous places. I spoke to a nurse at the pharmacy providing my Imbruvica and she said this is one of the possible side effects of Imbruvica. I can deal with the discomfort but it put my mind at ease that the cramping was not caused by another health problem. She said to speak to my Oncologist in regards to this.

[Cllcanada Top Poster CURE Hero]

Hi and welcome!

Nocturnal cramping is a very common side effect of Imbruvica (ibrutinib) and in fact many treatments. I get them in my calves and my arms...

Try increasing you daily fluid intake and if you are up at night drink some water. Often better hydration will cause them to subside.

Other than that, should they persist then talk to your treating doctor...

~chris 🇨🇦

[hazelton in reply to Cllcanada]

Increase your water intake during the day as Chris suggests. This solved this problem for me. I do have a heating pad near the bed to put my foot/leg on for the occasional cramp but is rarely an issue now.

[winterwild]

I found magnesium oil or strong magnesium tablets helped me with cramps while I was on Ibrutinib.

[AmericanRonin]

I pop one or two magnesium tablets when I get muscle cramps. It seems that it helps.

[LyraThor]

Magnesium tablets made no difference. Try quinine sulfate. I still get cramps but it does definitely reduce them

[antonb]

magnesium chloride before sleep , it is cheap and you need to take very little . It is not tasty but it works. Stretching when you get the feeling is also important to avoid them

[kwarehime]

I've been on it just as long and asked Doctor Im glad to hear its common SE and agreee with thought that more fluid will help water Gatorade etc.

[LyraThor]

the report appears to based on one patient taking a huge amount in a short period.... perhaps it is the cause.. Then again blood count should always be monitored, while I take a small doses. It does help. But will monitor my blood counts.

[maynegate]

Muscle pains have been a problem for me. I am trying a reduced dosage of imbruvica (from 420mg to 280 mg) and I love my shoulder heat pad/messager (ebay for $39.95).

I also researched and found that capsules are less expensive than tablets. I have not had a blood test since the change in meds. Hopefully the lower dosage will control my blood count.

[livinglifewell]

I experience this too, and my hematology-oncologist explained to me that magnesium is utilized in a different and unknown way with either cancer or chemo in the picture. Hence, I have a magnesium-infused lotion applied to the bottom of my feet at bedtime and the leg cramping has disappeared.

[ladyprescott in reply to livinglifewell]

Hello!

I would like to know about the magnesium infused lotion. Where do you get it? I have cramping everywhere. Feet, calves, thigh, into my torso, hands. I know it's the Imbruvica. If I take magnesium it does a number on my bathroom habits. Right now I'm dealing with a bad back. Think I'll look into a heating massage pad as someone talked about above. Oh, to live with CLL. Carole

[livinglifewell in reply to ladyprescott]

Hi Carole, the magnesium lotion is by "Life-flo" lifeflo.com and it is referred to as magnesium lotion, a magnesium chloride brine, a super concentrated lotion. It was bought online for about $10/8 oz. And I do believe it is very effective for those cramps.

[ladyprescott in reply to livinglifewell]

My hands were cramping today so I took a 500 mg magnesium. Will see how that goes. Thanks for the name of the lotion.

[Tealforeverart in reply to ladyprescott]

My husband uses MagneGel. I think it is on Amazon now. He puts it on the bottom of his feet and his hands before bed time. Sometimes on his calves also. He seems to have an easier time if he uses it regularly.

[ladyprescott]

Hello rome. Cramping, oh my goodness. I've been on Imbruvica for almost a year and for the last four months or so have cramping in so many places from my feet to my hands and everywhere in between. I was doing yoga in February and had my right leg in the air and got a cramp so bad in my upper thigh I was screaming it was such pain. Just last night in bed I turned my leg the wrong way and got one back of my calf. So, with all that said, you are not alone and I believe as good as Imbruvica is, this is one of the side effects. Carole

[lsutigers2018 in reply to ladyprescott]

That is me every night. Calves or inner thighs. Horrible for about three minutes.

[Claydoh]

I have also experienced night-time cramping, spasms, and twitching since starting Imbruvica. I got the same advice about hydrating and stretching but it didn't seem to make much difference. Finally I discovered Theraworx foam. The active ingredient is magnesium sulfate and it really does the trick! I recommend it highly. It's available pretty much everywhere OTC.

[Jacinto40]

Hello; I have only been on Ibrutinib for 2 weeks but I had cramps recently - I did not drink enough water either day because of the roundtrip to Lisbon for blood test & consultation. I was surprised at the cramps but now I see that it is something that should've been listed as a probable side effect. Ihope you can get it under control. jacinto40

[lsutigers2018]

Makes me feel better knowing I am not the only one getting horrific cramps at night. I still race walk 45 min a day.