My Dad was diagnosed in June, from breaking his collar bone. He is 68 and decided not to have chemo. He has been cruising alone fairly well. However these past 2 weeks the pain has intensified 100%. After going to hospital, they discovered at least 5 broken ribs.
They sent him home with pain meds to manage the pain, which is my main concern. The meds are working. I want opinions on this, I have read others on here who have broken vertebrae 2 years prior and are still here! I'm reaching for hope, making sure I have exhausted all avenues. Please let me know opinions positive or negative. Thanks.
Forums
Re: Broken ribs
I have to start by stating that I am no doctor, have no medical education etc. etc.
But I have to ask you: Your father is relatively young for a myeloma patient. The median age for diagnosis in the US is around 69. So unless there are special reasons or medical conditions, there should be a lot of possible treatments for your father.
You do not write about the other symptoms your father may have, kidney problems, infections, etc.
And how about the kappa / lambda, M-spike / M-component and result from the bone marrow biopsy, if this was done?
But by the symptoms you describe, if they are from myeloma, it sounds pretty serious and, with the precautions I mentioned at the beginning, I would very much fear for the future.
What treatment did the hospital / myeloma specialists suggest? I do assume that your father is seen by a myeloma specialist. Which country / hospital is your father in?
Sorry to hear about your father's condition and wishing you all the best.
Best regards,
Lev
But I have to ask you: Your father is relatively young for a myeloma patient. The median age for diagnosis in the US is around 69. So unless there are special reasons or medical conditions, there should be a lot of possible treatments for your father.
You do not write about the other symptoms your father may have, kidney problems, infections, etc.
And how about the kappa / lambda, M-spike / M-component and result from the bone marrow biopsy, if this was done?
But by the symptoms you describe, if they are from myeloma, it sounds pretty serious and, with the precautions I mentioned at the beginning, I would very much fear for the future.
What treatment did the hospital / myeloma specialists suggest? I do assume that your father is seen by a myeloma specialist. Which country / hospital is your father in?
Sorry to hear about your father's condition and wishing you all the best.
Best regards,
Lev
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Lev - Name: Lev
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Me
- When were you/they diagnosed?: June 2014
- Age at diagnosis: 57
Re: Broken ribs
Stella,
I'm going to be a bit more blunt than Lev.
I am going to assume that that the 5 broken ribs are due to symptomatic multiple myeloma (this is easy enough to determine through a needle biopsy or a PET/CT scan). Also, if he is already experiencing fractures as a result of multiple myeloma, there is no reason to think that this latest episode will be a one-time event.
I'm not sure what was going through your dad's head when he refused any sort of drug treatment if his diagnosis was indeed symptomatic multiple myeloma, but I am going to guess that the options presented to him were not delivered by a multiple myeloma specialist.
You said he refused "chemo". Perhaps he thought that the multiple myeloma treatment would in fact be like some of the old-school chemo treatments, which would take an enormous toll on one's body and would scare the living daylights out of most any patient (this kind of old-school chemo treatment certainly scares me as I remember watching my mother suffer through chemo and dying of cancer when I was a young kid). However, the newer multiple myeloma drugs are not anything like the older "chemo" agents and really aren't "chemo", per se. Many multiple myeloma patients do wonderfully well with the newer novel drugs, while experiencing few side effects.
In any case, these new multiple myeloma agents (even with their side effects) are a far better option than experiencing ongoing fractures throughout one's skeleton that can soon leave one completely bedridden and in excruciating pain.
I think nearly all people on this forum would agree with the following statement. If he has symptomatic multiple myeloma and is experiencing bone fractures, then get treatment from a multiple myeloma specialist ASAP. This would likely include a bisphosphonate such as Zometa (to strengthen his bones) and one or more of the new "novel" multiple myeloma agents such as Revlimid, Velcade, etc.
I'm going to be a bit more blunt than Lev.
I am going to assume that that the 5 broken ribs are due to symptomatic multiple myeloma (this is easy enough to determine through a needle biopsy or a PET/CT scan). Also, if he is already experiencing fractures as a result of multiple myeloma, there is no reason to think that this latest episode will be a one-time event.
I'm not sure what was going through your dad's head when he refused any sort of drug treatment if his diagnosis was indeed symptomatic multiple myeloma, but I am going to guess that the options presented to him were not delivered by a multiple myeloma specialist.
You said he refused "chemo". Perhaps he thought that the multiple myeloma treatment would in fact be like some of the old-school chemo treatments, which would take an enormous toll on one's body and would scare the living daylights out of most any patient (this kind of old-school chemo treatment certainly scares me as I remember watching my mother suffer through chemo and dying of cancer when I was a young kid). However, the newer multiple myeloma drugs are not anything like the older "chemo" agents and really aren't "chemo", per se. Many multiple myeloma patients do wonderfully well with the newer novel drugs, while experiencing few side effects.
In any case, these new multiple myeloma agents (even with their side effects) are a far better option than experiencing ongoing fractures throughout one's skeleton that can soon leave one completely bedridden and in excruciating pain.
I think nearly all people on this forum would agree with the following statement. If he has symptomatic multiple myeloma and is experiencing bone fractures, then get treatment from a multiple myeloma specialist ASAP. This would likely include a bisphosphonate such as Zometa (to strengthen his bones) and one or more of the new "novel" multiple myeloma agents such as Revlimid, Velcade, etc.
Last edited by Multibilly on Tue Nov 17, 2015 9:07 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Multibilly - Name: Multibilly
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Me
- When were you/they diagnosed?: Smoldering, Nov, 2012
Re: Broken ribs
Hello Stella:
Everything that Multibilly and Lev have said was accurate. Let me try and say it shorter.
The first thing your dad and you need to do, is to get the multiple myeloma under control. Repeat: Get the multiple myeloma under control.
Many people have found out about the multiple myeloma in a much worse state than your Dad, and have gotten to a good condition for a long period of time.
That is the way you all should be looking at it (in my view). Best of luck and God Bless you in this battle.
Everything that Multibilly and Lev have said was accurate. Let me try and say it shorter.
The first thing your dad and you need to do, is to get the multiple myeloma under control. Repeat: Get the multiple myeloma under control.
Many people have found out about the multiple myeloma in a much worse state than your Dad, and have gotten to a good condition for a long period of time.
That is the way you all should be looking at it (in my view). Best of luck and God Bless you in this battle.
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JPC - Name: JPC
Re: Broken ribs
Hi Stellashells, In addition to the good advice given by Lev, JPC and Mutilbily, I would like to add that to have broken bones, which may be ribs, vertebrae, collar bones or other, would be symptomatic of multiple myeloma. Has he at least had a skeletal bone Xray survey, a bone marrow biopsy, and SPEP blood test, and a serum free light chain test? The analysis from the bone marrow biopsy may show whether or not he has chromosomal deletions or translocations, and the SPEP test could show what sort of myeloma it is (IgG, IgM, etc.). These findings are used to help myeloma hematological oncologists to determine the best sort of treatment to try. The skeletal survey, or an MRI, would show what 'lytic lesions' he might have in addition to the fractures also.
I know that the pain meds may be working, but those are not a treatment. He would probably be started on a novel agent, such as Velcade, or Revlimid (or both) plus dexamethasone, a steroid to help the novel agents work well. You might be surprised to find that these treatments could rapidly reduce the cancer burden he is carrying. He would feel much better for that, based on my personal experience. The bone building medicines such as zometa or aredia, also help to reduce bone pain. Good luck and I hope that he pursues treatments.
I know that the pain meds may be working, but those are not a treatment. He would probably be started on a novel agent, such as Velcade, or Revlimid (or both) plus dexamethasone, a steroid to help the novel agents work well. You might be surprised to find that these treatments could rapidly reduce the cancer burden he is carrying. He would feel much better for that, based on my personal experience. The bone building medicines such as zometa or aredia, also help to reduce bone pain. Good luck and I hope that he pursues treatments.
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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: Broken ribs
My husband was 67 at diagnosis and had 10+ broken ribs, 5 fractured vertebrae, both collarbones broken, a fist-sized hole in his pelvis and a supra acetabular fracture. He was nearly in kidney failure and anemic when diagnosed in April 2014.
5 courses of CyBorD, but no transplant because he had lung damage from the Cytoxan. His last chemo treatment was August 22 2014. His m-spike was at trace levels. By January 2015 it was zero.
We flew to Maui in January. London in March. Scotland in May. Did a roadtrip through Alaska and Northern BC in August. Croatia in September. 2016 will be in Sri Lanka, Spain and Guatemala.
My husband was unable to walk without crutches from May 2014 until October 2014, then used a walker, and finally walking sticks. Since December 2014 he's been walking unassisted. Now he's at the gym 3x per week, and back to yoga. He takes more breaks but can do pretty much anything he wants.
So please assure your father that treating the myeloma is utterly worth it.
5 courses of CyBorD, but no transplant because he had lung damage from the Cytoxan. His last chemo treatment was August 22 2014. His m-spike was at trace levels. By January 2015 it was zero.
We flew to Maui in January. London in March. Scotland in May. Did a roadtrip through Alaska and Northern BC in August. Croatia in September. 2016 will be in Sri Lanka, Spain and Guatemala.
My husband was unable to walk without crutches from May 2014 until October 2014, then used a walker, and finally walking sticks. Since December 2014 he's been walking unassisted. Now he's at the gym 3x per week, and back to yoga. He takes more breaks but can do pretty much anything he wants.
So please assure your father that treating the myeloma is utterly worth it.
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LisaE - Name: Lisa
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Husband
- When were you/they diagnosed?: April 2014
- Age at diagnosis: 67
Re: Broken ribs
Thank you all for your replies! I appreciate them and welcome more! I have talked with my Dad today. He is considering this information and I will keep you posted.
I currently do not have any info to offer regarding his labs. He is on morphine currently to manage the pain. We live in Ontario Canada.
Thanks for your support!
Stellashells
I currently do not have any info to offer regarding his labs. He is on morphine currently to manage the pain. We live in Ontario Canada.
Thanks for your support!
Stellashells
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Stellashells
Re: Broken ribs
Please, please, please encourage your father to heed the advice of the others who have posted, saying your father should get treatment for the myeloma. The treatment will not only help to bring the myeloma under control, but should also help alleviate some of the pain he is experiencing because the myeloma is having its way with your father's bones. The bisphosphonate treatments, Zometa or Aredia, will help with the pain and help to protect his bones from further damage.
The other Nancy, who has already posted, lives in Canada and may be able to help with navigating the Canadian healthcare system. Reach out to her. Encourage your father to reach out to her. She had multiple spinal fractures when she was diagnosed.
All the best to your father and keep up the good work of looking out for his well being,
Nancy in Phila
The other Nancy, who has already posted, lives in Canada and may be able to help with navigating the Canadian healthcare system. Reach out to her. Encourage your father to reach out to her. She had multiple spinal fractures when she was diagnosed.
All the best to your father and keep up the good work of looking out for his well being,
Nancy in Phila
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NStewart - Name: Nancy Stewart
- Who do you know with myeloma?: self
- When were you/they diagnosed?: 3/08
- Age at diagnosis: 60
Re: Broken ribs
Hi Nancy and stellashells,
Thanks, Nancy for recommending me to Stella about the Canadian health care system. I don't know the Ontario landscape too well, since I live in Alberta. But I know that there must be at least several hospitals there who have myeloma experts. Princess Margaret in Toronto definitely, and perhaps in London, ON?
If you tell us where you are in Ontario (which is a large province) I think that other readers here from Ontario might be able to help you with that. I agree with the comments that you have made about the treatments actually helping to reduce pain, which fortunately was the case for me. We have a really good health care system, and you just have to find a way to access the doctors and treatments that would help your father.
Thanks, Nancy for recommending me to Stella about the Canadian health care system. I don't know the Ontario landscape too well, since I live in Alberta. But I know that there must be at least several hospitals there who have myeloma experts. Princess Margaret in Toronto definitely, and perhaps in London, ON?
If you tell us where you are in Ontario (which is a large province) I think that other readers here from Ontario might be able to help you with that. I agree with the comments that you have made about the treatments actually helping to reduce pain, which fortunately was the case for me. We have a really good health care system, and you just have to find a way to access the doctors and treatments that would help your father.
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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: Broken ribs
I am in Ontario also, what part are you in?
As Nancy mentioned, Princess Marg. in Toronto and London Health Sciences Centre have myeloma specialists; I would imagine Ottawa would have them too; I forget if Hamilton Health Sciences Centre and Kingston General have myeloma specialists, they might.
Regular hematologists tend to like to send myeloma patients to myeloma specialists here in Ontario, at least to get some direction on how to proceed.
Cancer care in Ontario is closely managed by the Ministry of Health to ensure all Ontarians have access to the same level of care, regardless of where they live in the province; this might require Ontarians suffering rare cancers to occasionally have to stay in a teaching hospital a good distance from home, especially if you live in the rural north; but the care is great in these teaching hospitals. A good number of my dad's doctors at the teaching hospitals are associate professors.
As Nancy mentioned, Princess Marg. in Toronto and London Health Sciences Centre have myeloma specialists; I would imagine Ottawa would have them too; I forget if Hamilton Health Sciences Centre and Kingston General have myeloma specialists, they might.
Regular hematologists tend to like to send myeloma patients to myeloma specialists here in Ontario, at least to get some direction on how to proceed.
Cancer care in Ontario is closely managed by the Ministry of Health to ensure all Ontarians have access to the same level of care, regardless of where they live in the province; this might require Ontarians suffering rare cancers to occasionally have to stay in a teaching hospital a good distance from home, especially if you live in the rural north; but the care is great in these teaching hospitals. A good number of my dad's doctors at the teaching hospitals are associate professors.
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Little Monkey - Name: Little Monkey
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Father-stage 1 multiple myeloma
- When were you/they diagnosed?: March/April of 2015
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