Avastin and muscle pain?

Steve444
Steve444 Member Posts: 105 Member
in Colorectal Cancer #1

Have any of you experienced muscle pain while on Avastin?  I'm not sure if it's related, but it's currently the only drug I'm taking while NED.  I've had pain in my left shoulder (rotator cuff) for about 4 months and now pain in my neck for the past 2.  it seems to get better when it's almost time for my three week IV push, and at its worse a few days after.  I had my last dose on Tuesday and as of yesterday I can't move my left arm without extreme pain.  I had an X-ray and am in physical therapy now.  The X-ray showed a neck spasm and chronic separated shoulder so it may just be a coincidence that the most pain follows Avastin treatments.

Comments

  • Trubrit
    Trubrit Member Posts: 5,804 Member
    #2
    Hello Steve

    I am sorry to hear that you are in pain. When you hear the words NED you really want to leave the pain and the treatments behind.

    I don't have any answers for you concerning the meds, as it wasn't a part of my regime. 

    I do wish you well, and I will be sending up some prayers that you can find out the cause and thus be freed from the pain. 

    Sue - Trubrit

  • Easyflip
    Easyflip Member Posts: 588 Member
    #3
    That's odd

    Avastin inhibits new vessel growth thus starving a growing tumor. This doesn't seem even remotely related to a muscle spasm or an old shoulder injury. I'm leaning towards this being coincidental, however these are strong drugs with a laundry list of unintended side effects so who really knows. If it's not permanently hurting your shoulder or neck I think it's more important to fight the cancer. Good luck!

    Easyflip/Richard

  • herdizziness
    herdizziness Member Posts: 3,624 Member
    #4
    I've had Avastin many times

    and am about to be on it again starting next week, it's bing added to the mix I'm already on, I never suffered muscle pain during the other two times I did the Avastin (1st round was 6 months of Avastin every three weeks) then second round was for four months every three weeks, this time my regime is being changed from every week to every two weeks, with increased dosages and Avastin added.

    I wouldn't think the muscle pain is fom Avastin.

    Winter Marie

  • mukamom
    mukamom Member Posts: 402
    #5
    herdizziness said:

    I've had Avastin many times

    and am about to be on it again starting next week, it's bing added to the mix I'm already on, I never suffered muscle pain during the other two times I did the Avastin (1st round was 6 months of Avastin every three weeks) then second round was for four months every three weeks, this time my regime is being changed from every week to every two weeks, with increased dosages and Avastin added.

    I wouldn't think the muscle pain is fom Avastin.

    Winter Marie

    Robert

    had issues with pain in the neck and shoulder when he was on the clinical trail that included avastin. He did have an old injury to his neck, and we brought up the possibility (several times) that the avastin or the trial drug (another monoclonal antibody) might be aggravating that old injury. The trial doc and nurse poo-pooed that idea. Robert suffered with that pain all through the 2 1/2 years he was on that trial. His last treatment with those drugs was Nov. 19. By the first week in Dec, that pain was gone. Coincidence?? I don't think so

  • Steve444
    Steve444 Member Posts: 105 Member
    #6
    mukamom said:

    Robert

    had issues with pain in the neck and shoulder when he was on the clinical trail that included avastin. He did have an old injury to his neck, and we brought up the possibility (several times) that the avastin or the trial drug (another monoclonal antibody) might be aggravating that old injury. The trial doc and nurse poo-pooed that idea. Robert suffered with that pain all through the 2 1/2 years he was on that trial. His last treatment with those drugs was Nov. 19. By the first week in Dec, that pain was gone. Coincidence?? I don't think so

    Thank you

    I'm sorry for his pain, but also a little relieved I'm not alone.  I've always suspected it was related to Avastin, but the doctors hadn't heard of it.  I did find a few posts of others with similar pain who thought it to be tied to Avastin as well.  The physical therapy folks say it's my rotator cuff and it hurts because it's inflamed (tendinitis) and it could also impact surrounding areas such as the neck.  My physical therapy appointment on Monday was a wash, it hurt so bad that they just iced it while I was there.  I go back tomorrow and if it's the same they'll apply a steroid patch.  I'm hoping it gets better soon as I am planning to tackle scuba diving from my bucket list in May.  I said screw it and swam in the pool today with one arm and my legs.  I'm taking an extra week off from Avastin this go around as I'll be out of town.  it'll be interesting to see if it's better for that extra week since it usually feels better for the couple days before my next 3 week IV.  If so, I'll also think it's not a coincidence.  :)  I'm solely on Avastin currently, the only other drug they gave me this time around was heparin due to difficulty getting blood return from my port.

  • Steve444
    Steve444 Member Posts: 105 Member
    #7
    Steve444 said:

    Thank you

    I'm sorry for his pain, but also a little relieved I'm not alone.  I've always suspected it was related to Avastin, but the doctors hadn't heard of it.  I did find a few posts of others with similar pain who thought it to be tied to Avastin as well.  The physical therapy folks say it's my rotator cuff and it hurts because it's inflamed (tendinitis) and it could also impact surrounding areas such as the neck.  My physical therapy appointment on Monday was a wash, it hurt so bad that they just iced it while I was there.  I go back tomorrow and if it's the same they'll apply a steroid patch.  I'm hoping it gets better soon as I am planning to tackle scuba diving from my bucket list in May.  I said screw it and swam in the pool today with one arm and my legs.  I'm taking an extra week off from Avastin this go around as I'll be out of town.  it'll be interesting to see if it's better for that extra week since it usually feels better for the couple days before my next 3 week IV.  If so, I'll also think it's not a coincidence.  :)  I'm solely on Avastin currently, the only other drug they gave me this time around was heparin due to difficulty getting blood return from my port.

    Quick follow up

    I've been off of Avastin for 5 weeks now and my shoulder and neck pain is worse than ever.  In my case it may not be linked after all.  Eagerly waiting for MRI results in a couple weeks, hoping for a treatment plan. May is getting closer and I'm really hoping to scuba in the Yucatan using more than one arm.

  • Trubrit
    Trubrit Member Posts: 5,804 Member
    #8
    Steve444 said:

    Quick follow up

    I've been off of Avastin for 5 weeks now and my shoulder and neck pain is worse than ever.  In my case it may not be linked after all.  Eagerly waiting for MRI results in a couple weeks, hoping for a treatment plan. May is getting closer and I'm really hoping to scuba in the Yucatan using more than one arm.

    Thanks for the update, Steve

    I wish it were a better update.  Here's hoping you find out what the problem is, get it sorted and go enjoy your scuba diving in the Yucatan. 

    Sue - Trubrit

  • pzimmerlin
    pzimmerlin Member Posts: 1
    #9
    My husband had terrible neck

    My husband had terrible neck pain - no Avastin - after having his port put in.  He had a massive ruptured disc in his neck.  The spinal doctor suspects it happend when they placed the port.  He had to have surgery to put disc back in place and a plate in his neck.  He also had severe weakness in his shoulder at that time -  a chiropractor told me this happens all the time - they are not gentle with you when you are on the surgery table.

     

     

  • Steve444
    Steve444 Member Posts: 105 Member
    #10
    pzimmerlin said:

    My husband had terrible neck

    My husband had terrible neck pain - no Avastin - after having his port put in.  He had a massive ruptured disc in his neck.  The spinal doctor suspects it happend when they placed the port.  He had to have surgery to put disc back in place and a plate in his neck.  He also had severe weakness in his shoulder at that time -  a chiropractor told me this happens all the time - they are not gentle with you when you are on the surgery table.

     

     

    Very interesting

    I hadn't Heard of that before.  Whatever it is, hopefully the MRI will give some clues in my case.  I never had an issue until a couple months after starting treatment.  I'm sorry for your husband's pain and the additional suffering to try to address it.

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