Calf muscle tightness

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I'm in my first cycle of ISA-VRD and - having encountered no significant side effects after a few days - decided to try some light exercise on the treadmill at the gym, which I was previously doing regularly.  I very quickly developed tightness in both calf muscles, and I'm still a bit stiff 24 hours or so later.

I've seen that muscle cramps can be a side effect of some of the meds but wondered if this is something others have experienced, whether there's anything I can do to mitigate it (maybe using a cross-trainer rather than treadmill?), and whether it's something that might ease over time?  I do already stretch in the mornings and before exercise.

Hopefully this is something that can be overcome as I'm keen to keep up my exercise regime as far as possible.  

  • Hello Gee, Welcome to the forum. it sounds familiar, although I did went with the DRD so I did not have bortezomic that I think is one of the 4 used on ISA VRD. I heard that bortezomic has some possible neuropathies as side effect (irs different for everyone)  but the ones related to muscle stiffness I think are the dexamethasone. How many grams are you having per week? 

  • Hi Carlos

    I'm having 20mg of dexamethazone on days 1 and 2 each week.  The leaflet I have on it does say that muscle cramps are a possibility for a short time after taking it, but this was three days after my second dose.

    In my case I'm sure it was triggered by exercise so it may just be a case of finding the right level and type of activity to be doing.

  • Wow, 40gr a week! you must be a young lad! In the beginning of my treatment I used to take 20mg per week and I was jumping all day for three days and crumps on my calf’s appeared from time to time. Now I am in maintenance and they have been tapering to only 2mg this month and 0 next month. The effect seems to be cumulative and addictive. Have to confess reminds me of taking speed in my younger age for uni exams. 

  • I'm 72 :-).

    I was quite cheerful on the days I took it, not so much now!