Leg Cramps & Peripheral Vision

[stand4hope]

Good morning! I posted this on Ask the Experts, but also wanted to ask if anyone here can explain these things:

Two questions:

My husband has been having leg cramps for the past 2 weeks that are waking him during the night. The cramps are on the outside of both legs, below the knee. We are wondering if this is from the Iressa or what else do you think could be causing this?

He mentioned to his onc on the last visit that he had a few instances of blurry peripheral vision. The onc didn't offer an explanation. This has increased since then. He says it's like a "swimming" feeling, peripherally in both eyes. Again, is this the Iressa, or what else do you think could be causing this?

Thank you very much!!

Love,

Peggy

[Snowflake]

Peggy,

My sixth week of Iressa led to pressure in my eyes. At the time, I still had the oddness in my peripheral vision, but had had since surgery and pain drugs, etc. Unfortunately, mine wasn't just "blurry vision", I saw spiders crawling the walls just out of range...when I turned my head, they disappeared...

Leg cramps - I really don't remember. It would have seemed normal to me, with all the sprinting to the bathroom! I'm not sure how his "potty habits" are, but is it possible he is dehydrated? Not getting enough nutrition? I know your hubby is not Charles Atlas, wondering if he needs a bit more calories in his diet to feed those muscles (or hey, if a cellulite transplant is in order, I'll step up to see if I am a donor match...).

Common answer here lately for leg cramps is "growing pains" - but that's for a twelve-year-old. Refer to one of Elaine's replies here, can't remember to whom, but she discussed leg cramps in both legs and what it could be in a percentage of NSCLC patients...

Take care,

Becky

[TAnn]

Peggy,

I know that Iressa can cause eye problems. I would mention it to the doc again and see if he recommends an eye exam. I know SJAS's husband, Steve, is experiencing eye sight loss they say due to the whole brain radiation. I would definately take it seriously, especially since it's gotten worse.

The leg cramps can be from just dehydration, or lack of potassium. You could try by starting out eating some bananas. That usually works for me. Is there any swelling in the legs? This could be a sign of blood clots.

Sending my best positive thoughts your way that it is all nothing and will resolve itself.

TAnn

[BoBennett]

Peggy,

No help as to why or what causes but I too get those leg cramps, in the calf area, they started after treatment. I am careful in the stretching department though they come on by themselves during the night. I made the connection to the cramps and chemo but I don’t really know.

Bo

[cindi o'h]

try quinine water to prevent the leg cramps. Aspirin to help after they come on.

The blurred peri vision... could it be an occular/visual migraine?? Lasting approx 15 min with or without pain?

Cindi o'h

(just guessing here)

[karenl]

Hi Peggy

Sorry, can't answer your questions. I know Mum got a bit of cramping, but it was due to the Taxotere. Perhaps as TAnn suggested, it could be due to dehydration.

Here's hoping its just side effects of medication, and that it can be rectified!

Love Karen

[stand4hope]

Thank you, everyone.

With answers I got in emails, plus Dr. Cunningham's response below from Ask the Experts, and my research online today, I'm guessing that it's probably potassium because of the Zometa and/or Iressa, or just the cancer itself. He is already scheduled for blood work this week since he gets Zometa next Friday, so we can get that result pretty quickly.

I guess the vision thing could be Iressa, late-affects from the WBR, or who knows. I think he's going to make an appt with his eye doctor. He needs a prescription change anyway.

Becky, I haven't found Elaine's post yet, but I'm still looking.

Here's what Dr. Cunningham said on Ask the Experts:

I've not heard of Iressa being associated with leg cramps. I would wonder more about a change in some of his blood electrolytes such as potassium or minerals such as calcium or magnesium. Ask his doctor what these look like.

Blurred vision is reported with Iressa, but it isn't clear this is a true cause and effect relationship. If it is getting worse, he should tell his oncologist that fact. Often patients will casually mention something as happening a "time or two" and the doctor isn't sure that it means anything. Symptoms that are continuing and worsening command greater scrutiny.

Casey Cunningham MD

Thanks again!

Love,

Peggy

[Elaine]

Peggy,

I really don't have a clue, but urge you and hubby to get it checked out. The bilateral leg pain I referred to in an earlier post really isn't a cramping kind of pain--at least it's not the pain I have, but from my understanding the pain presents itself somewhat differently in different patients. But I have never read of it as being described as "cramping", so....

Mine is a burning pain and very little swelling. Angie's Dad has it and he had a lot of swelling. It also causes arthritis like pains in surrounding joints, in my case, the knees mostly.

Love and extra fortitude

elaine

[CharlieD]

Peggy - Had the leg cramps and vision thing during Gemzar/Carboplatin Chemo treatments. Doc suggested as Cindy did to take quinine, either in quinine/tonic water or quinine pills. Took the pills and cramps went away. Only took pills for two days. As to the vision thing, it also went away after I finished Chemo. I didn't complain about the vision problem because there were so many weird things going on during Chemo that I just attributed everything to Chemo. Seems like just about all of it has gone now. Hope and pray it all works out for you. Chin up. Best regards.

CharlieD

[stand4hope]

Thanks Elaine and Charlie,

Elaine: He doesn't have pain, other than being sore after the cramping and no swelling, but it is affecting both legs.

Charlie: It's been a year since he had gemzar/navelbine, so I don't think that's causing either the cramps or the vision problem.

We see the doctor Friday and he gets blood tests before the visit, so hopefully he will be advised especially about the leg cramps. Those things are no fun at all!

He bought me breakfast this morning at Bob Evans, so the leg cramping hasn't cramped his wallet or his appetite! That's a good thing!

Love,

Peggy

[SJAS]

Hi Peggy,

Sorry I haven't checked in much lately. Steve has some cramps, but mostly in his toes and feet. Guess he has had so much else going on we haven't bothered to try to deal with that one yet.

I am concerned about the vision loss. Please get it checked immediately. It probably is not radiation retinopathy, but if it is, quick treatment is vital.

By the time Steve had his opthamologist check his vision, much damage had already occurred. His opthamologist literally called a retinal specialist while we sat in the room. Laser surgeries and steroids seem to have stemmed further damage at this point, but we're playing one heck of a game of "catch up" trying to deal with the damage already done. Please let me know how things come out. Saying a prayer for you both!