Muscle cramps on Imbruvica: I have been on... - CLL Support

CLL Support

22,326 members38,395 posts

Muscle cramps on Imbruvica

rome3215 profile image
19 Replies

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.

Written by
rome3215 profile image
rome3215
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
Read more about...
19 Replies
Cllcanada profile image
CllcanadaTop 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 profile image
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 profile image
winterwild

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

AmericanRonin profile image
AmericanRonin

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

LyraThor profile image
LyraThor

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

antonb profile image
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 profile image
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 profile image
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 profile image
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 profile image
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 profile image
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 profile image
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 profile image
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 profile image
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 profile image
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 profile image
lsutigers2018 in reply to ladyprescott

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

Claydoh profile image
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 profile image
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 profile image
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.

You may also like...

Muscle cramps on Imbruvica

of taking Imbruvica. I have recently noticed that I get muscle cramps a lot more frequently than I...

Muscle Twitching (not spasms) on Imbruvica

I've been on Imbruvica for 22 days. All was going well until I developed muscle twitches...

Imbruvica muscle and joint pain

calquence because of joint and muscle pain on Imbruvica. Was told I would have to stop Prilosec....

Imbruvica and muscle spasms

if anyone has experienced severe muscle spasms while taking Imbruvica. Thanks for your response.

Dealing with muscle joint pain on Imbruvica

Imbruvica muscle joint pain I have been on imbruvica for six months and had an excellent response...