Hello Dr. Herazy,
I had one Xiaflex injection for my hand on a Wednesday, and had most of the normal reactions. Swelling in hand began to subside on following Monday. I had a large bruise about 2″ wide inside same arm that went from elbow to shoulder-very dark purple, then yellow, now gone (about 1 week total). My wrist on same side also showed bruise about 3″ square area.
Worst of all, I had an extreme back issue in an area where I have degenerative disc disease (L-4). I have lived with back episodes since age 15, now age 64. I have never experienced this extreme back pain, was taken to hospital via ambulance, when pain became so strong I could not move. I did help pick up a piece of steel on Monday, nothing unusual or extreme, then I had usual sore back until Wednesday AM, when I awoke and could barely get out of bed. I had to go to the floor, then work my way onto my feet. I could not turn, lean forward or backward or twist, lift anything. Tried ice pack, double dose Tylenol 3 with codeine, and Biofreeze. Finally became totally immobilized due to intense pain, called 911, went to ER, several muscle relievers and pain shots, came home and am taking medication now. In my adult life, I have never experienced anything near this intense. I wonder if the Xiaflex softened/weakened the tissue between the disc in my back enough to cause this problem.
I would like to hear if other chronic back patients who suffer milder problems same as I do every six months or so had an extreme reaction. Are there others with chronic bone/nerve connectivity issues who also had extreme occurring?
It seems plausible because of the reaction up my arm that the drug also could be carried into other parts of the body, weakening tissue.
Thanks.
Greetings,
I have explored this topic at some length for you. While there is some small suggestion that Xiaflex might migrate from the primary area where it is injected, the research – at this time – says that it would be stopped at the lymph nodes. In the case of Xiaflex treatment for a Dupuytren hand problem, this would mean it would probably go no further than the lymph nodes in the armpit. There is no current report of Xiaflex traveling throughout the body, as you suggest.
It would seem that the most likely explanation is that your extreme low back pain flareup was not much more than a coincidence. TRH