[Memakes4]

Back pain without lesions - is it common?

by Memakes4 on Fri Jul 01, 2016 7:35 pm

Newbie here. I recently was diagnosed with multiple myeloma. Fortunately it is early Stage 2. The skeletal survey did not show any visible lesions. Also good.

However, I do have a lot of back pain, particularly on the lower left side. Does anyone know if it is normal to have pain without lesions, or should I be looking elsewhere for the cause of my pain?

[Multibilly]

Re: Back pain without lesions - is it common?

by Multibilly on Fri Jul 01, 2016 10:42 pm

Hi Nancy,

Sorry to hear about your diagnosis. However, one's stage (I assume you are using ISS staging) of multiple myeloma doesn't tell us a lot about your condition. Do you in fact have symptomatic multiple myeloma, with one or more "CRAB" features (high Calcium level, Renal insufficiency, Anemia, or Bone damage)? Or is your diagnosis smoldering multiple myeloma?

Do you know what your M-spike, serum kappa and lambda free light chains, hemoglobin, creatinine and calcium levels are from your lab test results?

I'm not a doc, but under the circumstances, I might ask for a PET/CT to help get to the bottom of your pain and to make sure that multiple myeloma isn't the cause (a PET/CT is also better at catching lesions than a skeletal survey).

[Janet1520]

Re: Back pain without lesions - is it common?

by Janet1520 on Sat Jul 02, 2016 4:29 pm

I've had back pain without lesions. Many of the drugs can cause back pain. I can usually tie mine to something I've done, like lifting something too heavy. However, after I've had a Zometa infusion, things that don't normally cause back pain (simple chores) can make my back sore. Stretching always helps. Multibilly is correct – you should request a PET/CT just to be sure it's not a lesion.

[Chris M]

Re: Back pain without lesions - is it common?

by Chris M on Sun Jul 03, 2016 7:06 am

Hi,

My 64-year old husband has numerous lytic lesions but fortunately, none in his spine or lower back. However, he sometimes has low back pain, especially after he's lifted something heavier than usual.

Besides the lesions elsewhere, his MRIs show degeneration of some disks, arthritis, etc-- many of the common pain generators that can occur as we age.

I agree with the others that it would be good to ask your physician for additional imaging to get at the root cause.

Best wishes,
Chris M.

[Memakes4]

Re: Back pain without lesions - is it common?

by Memakes4 on Sun Jul 03, 2016 8:23 pm

Thank you everyone for your quick responses. It sounds like the answer is yes, it is possible to have pain without lesions, but whether it is caused by the multiple myeloma is not possible to know without additional testing. I begin my treatment on Tuesday. If the pain goes away after treatment, I guess I'll know the answer. I have a 38-year-old daughter who is battling stage 4 breast cancer. I would rather help her out with her medical cost than have additional testing for myself, considering a limited budget.