I have had multiple myeloma for 5 yrs. I have a couple lesions on skull.
I have been in a lot of pain in my mid back for a few years and take Vicodin for the pain, other than that I only take 40mg of Decadron once a week. Tried Rev and thalidomide and had reactions so could not take any more.
I have had several back injuries over the years working in factories.
For about the past year, anything I do can cause my low back to go out. lifting, coughing, bending over, etc. I have a few fractures in the mid back.
My question is: Can the multiple myeloma be causing some of this due to weakness in the bones?
The other day I tried to pull my car door open as it was froze and when it came lose so did my back, it was the most horrible crack I ever heard come out of my back, it took me to my knees and I held onto the car door for about 5 mins until I got enough strength to stand on my legs. My chiropractor says I pulled all the muscles in the belt line in lower back. I can barely walk, or do anything the pain is so horrible. He thinks some of this could be from the multiple myeloma and weakness, as it seems to be happening alot.
Anything from all of you would help as to does multiple myeloma cause this and how or what can I do to help with this? Thanks, Nancy
Forums
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nancy524 - Name: Nancy Schwartz
- Who do you know with myeloma?: me
- When were you/they diagnosed?: diagnosed Dec. 2007
- Age at diagnosis: 53
Re: Back & muscle pain
HI Nancy, I think you should seek medical help for your back, in the sense of your myeloma specialist, or even going to the ER or to your PCP for Xrays and other scans. Are you taking bisphonates to build up your bones? There are several varieties available, which I think would be administeered through your cancer centre. i think it is very important to get the back injuries checked out in case there is any chance of further injury.
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Nancy Shamanna - Name: Nancy Shamanna
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Self and others too
- When were you/they diagnosed?: July 2009
Re: Back & muscle pain
Nancy - I agree. This could be related to myeloma and you should be evaluated by your oncologist or another physician.
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Dr. Adam Cohen - Name: Adam D. Cohen, M.D.
Beacon Medical Advisor
Re: Back & muscle pain
Thanks, Dr. Cohen, I plan on talking to my oncologist about this Friday when I see him. My chiropractor thinks it is related to the myeloma. I do not take anything for bones and won't after seeing what it can do to your mouth, I don't have good teeth as it is and won't go through that.
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nancy524 - Name: Nancy Schwartz
- Who do you know with myeloma?: me
- When were you/they diagnosed?: diagnosed Dec. 2007
- Age at diagnosis: 53
Re: Back & muscle pain
Hi there. My husband who is 53 has high risk multiple myeloma and had an Auto SCT back in September of 2012 after a few months of chemo. We discovered the multiple myeloma because he was having really bad lower back pain for a long time. His oncologist has had him getting Aeridia treatments once every 28 days. It is supposed to help your bones which are weakened not only from the multiple myeloma but from the chemo. So far he's had no problems with bones or muscles. He even lifted something really heavy in the garage the other day and said boy, to think, if I would have tried to lift this last year there is no way I could have without intense pain in my back. We had taken a weekend getaway not long before his SCT to a cabin in the woods and he told me later on that his pain was so bad in his back that he didn't think he was going to make it out of there without a wheelchair. He didn't tell me at the time because he didn't want to worry me any more than I already was. My best to you!
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lrich
Re: Back & Muscle Pain, for the doctors or anyone please
Good morning, I am on a Revlimid trial after dx in 2010. Some 8 months into the multiple myeloma treatment and trial, I began experiencing back pain and rib/ stomach cramps. After some severe head scratching from so called experts and 3 expensive pain management procedures, the pain is now spreading thru the whole rib cage and back.
Very little attention, in fact none, has been applied to the Revlimid link to this, or trial leaders wanting to discuss the possibility of a link.
Implications on a successful trial could colour their approach and I am considering withdrawal from the trial.
The pain prevents any work, morphine and endone help, but little assistance comes from the trial leaders.
Very little attention, in fact none, has been applied to the Revlimid link to this, or trial leaders wanting to discuss the possibility of a link.
Implications on a successful trial could colour their approach and I am considering withdrawal from the trial.
The pain prevents any work, morphine and endone help, but little assistance comes from the trial leaders.
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Alex
Re: Back & muscle pain
I am not a doctor, but if you have had multiple myeloma for 5 years, have only been receiving Decadron for treatment, I think it may be highly likely that the multiple myeloma is the cause of you back pain. My understanding is that Decadron by itself is mostly only effective at delaying the progression of the disease for a few months in most people and 5 years on just Decadron seems to be a long time.
Myeloma can certainly cause great devastation neck, back and other bones of the body. Lots of people on this forum can attest to that from their own experience, the stories are not hard to find. It seems that no one has explained this to you before? In mine and other experience’s that is one of the first and most fundamental things my health care provider explained to me when I was diagnosed. It seems from the treatment you said you have been receiving and the nature of you question that you have not really received much care, yet you had been on Revlimid for a brief time.
It might also be a good idea to get with an Oncologist, preferably one who specializes in multiple myeloma, and get you skeletal health evaluated before letting a Chiropractor work on your back and spine. I have a friend who is a Chiropractor and he admitted that after learning about myeloma from me, one of his concerns is taking a patient with undiagnosed myeloma and unrecognized skeletal damage.
Myeloma can certainly cause great devastation neck, back and other bones of the body. Lots of people on this forum can attest to that from their own experience, the stories are not hard to find. It seems that no one has explained this to you before? In mine and other experience’s that is one of the first and most fundamental things my health care provider explained to me when I was diagnosed. It seems from the treatment you said you have been receiving and the nature of you question that you have not really received much care, yet you had been on Revlimid for a brief time.
It might also be a good idea to get with an Oncologist, preferably one who specializes in multiple myeloma, and get you skeletal health evaluated before letting a Chiropractor work on your back and spine. I have a friend who is a Chiropractor and he admitted that after learning about myeloma from me, one of his concerns is taking a patient with undiagnosed myeloma and unrecognized skeletal damage.
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Eric Hofacket - Name: Eric H
- When were you/they diagnosed?: 01 April 2011
- Age at diagnosis: 44
Re: Back & muscle pain
Thanks to all of your for your help and information. I see my onc on Friday and plan on discussing this with him to see what he says. I have had several fractures in my mid back and that is why I am on the Vicodin, he won't up it or give me anything stronger as he says he is being watched. I have only been on Decadron as my numbers were doing very well until about 8 months ago and now they are continually going up and pain and accidents like this are getting more frequent. Will see what he has to say. Thank you, Nancy
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nancy524 - Name: Nancy Schwartz
- Who do you know with myeloma?: me
- When were you/they diagnosed?: diagnosed Dec. 2007
- Age at diagnosis: 53
Re: Back & muscle pain
Hi Nancy524,
>>I have had several fractures in my mid back and that is why I am on the Vicodin, he won't up it or give me anything stronger as he says he is being watched.<<
Well, since I have just recently been diagnosed I am reading lots of books and did lots of research on almost anything connected to multiple myeloma. "Doctors can give MORE pain medications and for longer periods to patients - diagnosed with Cancer - and patients are encouraged to demand stronger medication to relief their suffering or find another doctor". The author also stated that some doctors are not aware of this (new rule?) . Anyway, that's what my pre-chemo brain remembers; the book was about pain management for cancer. I should have written it down. Usually I do keep a record on things like that on the computer because I like to be prepared for everything, even though I'm pain free now. BTW, I had shoulder pains, got Physical Therapy and ended up with cancer destroying the 6th and 7th vertebrae and needed neck surgery and a bone transplant; that was after I refused any further P.T. and insisted on getting an MRI.
>>I have had several fractures in my mid back and that is why I am on the Vicodin, he won't up it or give me anything stronger as he says he is being watched.<<
Well, since I have just recently been diagnosed I am reading lots of books and did lots of research on almost anything connected to multiple myeloma. "Doctors can give MORE pain medications and for longer periods to patients - diagnosed with Cancer - and patients are encouraged to demand stronger medication to relief their suffering or find another doctor". The author also stated that some doctors are not aware of this (new rule?) . Anyway, that's what my pre-chemo brain remembers; the book was about pain management for cancer. I should have written it down. Usually I do keep a record on things like that on the computer because I like to be prepared for everything, even though I'm pain free now. BTW, I had shoulder pains, got Physical Therapy and ended up with cancer destroying the 6th and 7th vertebrae and needed neck surgery and a bone transplant; that was after I refused any further P.T. and insisted on getting an MRI.
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Kate - Name: Kate
- Who do you know with myeloma?: myself
- When were you/they diagnosed?: Dec. 2012
Re: Back & muscle pain
Well seen my oncologist today. He said all the problems with my back going out over the last few months is due to the multiple myeloma. I have to start radiation, on mid and lower back. We discussed possible going back on Revlimid and trying that again, I had a bad reaction to it before. We also discussed chemo if needed but I will only do the pill form. He suggested Zometa and I said no. I have read about what it can do to your mouth and will not do it, the risk is not worth it to me. I have very bad teeth and mouth problems as it is and I am always having reactions to medications of any kind, my regular doctor calls me a wuss because of so many reactions, I take no offense to it, he is great an old hippie. I don't care but there will be nothing that involves having intravenous method. I made a decision when I was diagnosed that I will do nothing, I am giving in to try radiation and possible chemo. My fear now is how much debt I'll be in over all this. thanks for all your replies. Nancy
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nancy524 - Name: Nancy Schwartz
- Who do you know with myeloma?: me
- When were you/they diagnosed?: diagnosed Dec. 2007
- Age at diagnosis: 53
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