Chest pains both sides on ibrutinib

[onu1tadi2]

Is there anyone else who gets cramp_like sensations in legs but most often.both sides of chest. I would appreciate any advice or information.

[Jm954 Administrator]

Hi there, sadly yes, I get chest muscle cramps with Ibrutinib.

Cramps in my chest muscles are one of the most painful and distressing side effects for me because it's almost impossible to relieve the pain. After really suffering for several years I seem to have worked out how to manage them and I stick to it no matter what now.

My regime is as follows but please talk to your Dr as we are all different as reassure yourself that the pain isn't cardiac.

1. plenty of fluids especially in the evening, I try for 3L or 6 pints each day. 1 litre morning, afternoon and evening.

2. Magnesium 375mg morning and another in the evening

3. keep moving - don't sit for too long

4. No alcohol or no more than one glass of wine. Recently, with Christmas drinks etc, I've found a very long gin based drink is OK too. Nothing with a lot of sugar in it.

5. Keep warm, cold makes you tense and the cramp follows. An electric blanket to warm the bed before you get in it has made a big difference again.

Hope this helps

Jackie

[dmmck]

Yes, I get the cramps in both sides of my chest. Sometimes they radiate around to my back. They come and go. My doctor has offered to reduce my dose of ibrutinib, but my blood tests have been so good I have opted not to right now.

[danum]

Thought I might be able to help a little on this one but surprise surprise on reading through the reply from Jm954 I learnt some useful tips myself (although I didn't like your number four suggestion Jackie!). Although your probably right I still enjoy a glass (or two) of wine with my meals. But Thank You anyway.

The only additional offering I can make is having a tin (or two) of tonic water by the side of the bed...well within reach. No Gin, but the quinine in the tonic water does seem to help.

[AussieNeil Administrator in reply to danum]

This information might result in you reconsidering the advisability of using quinine water to prevent cramps. I've found magnesium tablets to be very effective, provided they are taken regularly and in a sufficient dose:

consumerreports.org/cro/201...

[shoshanaz]

I also have been getting similar muscle spasms in my chest area. I thought it was from a prolonged respiratory illness--never thought to connect it with Ibrutinib. Mine don't last long, but definitely get my attention.

[bhayes84]

If you're going to take magnesium it's important to take it with food or you may get stomach discomfort. There are also keto electrolyte capsules that provide magnesium and potassium that I can take on a nearly empty stomach (no idea why that works ok).

Happy Holidays to all the CLL forum users and especially to the great site admins!