Forums
10 posts
• Page 1 of 1
Chicken pox with smoldering multiple myeloma?
I have smoldering multiple myeloma and I just woke up with dots everywhere! I thought this only happened for active multiple myeloma. Can I get a break?
-
dishevelled - Name: Heather Trimnell
- Who do you know with myeloma?: me
- When were you/they diagnosed?: 4/1/2011
- Age at diagnosis: 36
Re: Chicken pox with smoldering multiple myeloma?
Have you had the chicken pox as a child?
Are they itchy?
Are they itchy?
-
Anonymous
Re: Chicken pox with smoldering multiple myeloma?
Yes, I have had chicken pox. These don't seem itchy, more painful.
-
dishevelled - Name: Heather Trimnell
- Who do you know with myeloma?: me
- When were you/they diagnosed?: 4/1/2011
- Age at diagnosis: 36
Re: Chicken pox with smoldering multiple myeloma?
This could be a shingles outbreak? Indication would be a band of a type of rash and pain? You should probably be checked out by a doctor. If it is shingles, you may need antibiotics. People who have had chicken pox in the past and those that may have a compromised immune system are likely more apt to get shingles. Good luck!
-
anonymous_today
Re: Chicken pox with smoldering multiple myeloma?
Agree that you should get checked out by a doctor. By the way, smoldering multiple myeloma patients are also at increased risk of infection in general. Basically, whether or not you have any CRAB issues going on (which would classify you as having symptomatic multiple myeloma), you still have a percentage of "screwed up plasma cells" that are producing "duds" for antibodies, all at the expense of normal functioning antibodies in your system.
Last edited by Multibilly on Thu May 02, 2013 2:11 pm, edited 1 time in total.
-
Multibilly - Name: Multibilly
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Me
- When were you/they diagnosed?: Smoldering, Nov, 2012
Re: Chicken pox with smoldering multiple myeloma?
Researching on the Internet shows that shingles usually break out on one side of the body. Mine is pretty symmetrical. I'm taking some Benadryl (diphenhydramine) to see if it's hives. If it doesn't work, then I'll head to the doctor. They have little blisters on them. and they hurt to touch.
-
dishevelled - Name: Heather Trimnell
- Who do you know with myeloma?: me
- When were you/they diagnosed?: 4/1/2011
- Age at diagnosis: 36
Re: Chicken pox with smoldering multiple myeloma?
Sounds like shingles with them being painful and having blisters. My Mom has smoldering myeloma and she had them, They were only one patch underneath her upper arm. Doctor gave her meds that cleared it up, so definitely see your doctor. Hope you feel better!
-
Brownk
Re: Chicken pox with smoldering multiple myeloma?
Hey dishevelled,
If there is any question it's shingles, go to the doctor as soon as possible! The drugs they have for shingles work best in the first few days after you get the rash.
Lyn
If there is any question it's shingles, go to the doctor as soon as possible! The drugs they have for shingles work best in the first few days after you get the rash.
Lyn
-
Christa's Mom - Name: Christa's Mom
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Husband
- When were you/they diagnosed?: September, 2010
- Age at diagnosis: 53
Re: Chicken pox with smoldering multiple myeloma?
I would make sure that you see a physician as quickly as possible. Shingles is a re-emergence of the varicella zoster virus (chicken pox) that has lived in your nerves dormant since your initial exposure as a child. As stated, shingles typically presents in a dermatomal pattern – on one side, and as a band. Herpes zoster (shingles) is generally associated with pain as well. Disseminated zoster-shingles that has spread all over, or even in more than one dermatome, is a serious medical issue and needs to be treated and can have sequelea including encephalitis (involvement of brain), hepatitis and can be mortal if not attended to.
It can be any number of things as well – allergic reaction to medicine, new detergent – but pain suggests that disseminated herpes zoster has to be high on the differential.
In any case, you should be seen by someone – now.
Lastly, if this ends up being zoster, it would suggest that your myeloma has progressed from smoldering to active disease. We think of the CRAB criteria to define active disease (hyperCalcemia, Renal failure, Anemia, and Bone lesions); however, in my world, it is the CRAB-I crtiteria. The "i" is for serious Infections. This means that myeloma is causing immune dysfunction. If the infections are minor, one can consider continued observation. However, serious infections therapy for myeloma needs to be introduced- once the infection is under control.
We wish you luck and I hope this ends up being something simple, but from the post, it sounds significant. Again, please seek medical attention, if it has not resolved.
It can be any number of things as well – allergic reaction to medicine, new detergent – but pain suggests that disseminated herpes zoster has to be high on the differential.
In any case, you should be seen by someone – now.
Lastly, if this ends up being zoster, it would suggest that your myeloma has progressed from smoldering to active disease. We think of the CRAB criteria to define active disease (hyperCalcemia, Renal failure, Anemia, and Bone lesions); however, in my world, it is the CRAB-I crtiteria. The "i" is for serious Infections. This means that myeloma is causing immune dysfunction. If the infections are minor, one can consider continued observation. However, serious infections therapy for myeloma needs to be introduced- once the infection is under control.
We wish you luck and I hope this ends up being something simple, but from the post, it sounds significant. Again, please seek medical attention, if it has not resolved.
-
Dr. Ken Shain - Name: Ken Shain, M.D., Ph.D.
Beacon Medical Advisor
Re: Chicken pox with smoldering multiple myeloma?
The rash has gotten a little better each day except for a few lumps that seem like they infected lymph nodes. One on each breast about 1 inch in diameter, and 3 smaller under my armpit. They are red but feel like a pea sized lump under the skin. I happen to have a dermatology appointment in 2 days as they are doing a fat pad biopsy, so the dermatologist can look at this.
I have had the strangest sicknesses in the past year. Not to mention my temperature goes to 100 F (37.8 C) every day. The more worn out I am, the earlier in the day it goes up.
I have had the strangest sicknesses in the past year. Not to mention my temperature goes to 100 F (37.8 C) every day. The more worn out I am, the earlier in the day it goes up.
-
dishevelled - Name: Heather Trimnell
- Who do you know with myeloma?: me
- When were you/they diagnosed?: 4/1/2011
- Age at diagnosis: 36
10 posts
• Page 1 of 1