[Anonymous]

Does the pain ever get better?

by Anonymous on Wed Nov 07, 2012 2:58 pm

My father was diagnosed with what we were told end stage multiple myeloma. He has has radiation and chemo an is now taking tons of pain meds along with Revlimid. He is hospitalized for the 3rd time with excruciating pain, but this time in his legs bilaterally. Can anyone tell me if the pain ever gets better? He has had a rough road, and I hope that he soon has some relief.

[Dr. Peter Voorhees]

Re: Does the pain ever get better?

by Dr. Peter Voorhees on Thu Nov 08, 2012 6:13 am

Dear anonymous,

Have the doctors given you any indication as to the cause of the pain? With severe leg pain, several things come to mind: 1) peripheral neuropathy (peripheral nerve injury) from prior myeloma therapy -- bortezomib (Velcade) can do this; 2) nerve root impingment due to compression fractures or myeloma lesions in the spine; or 3) lytic bone lesions in the legs (e.g. femurs). When you say end-stage myeloma, I am assuming that previous chemotherapy has been attempted and has stopped working and the disease is getting worse -- is that right, or is the Revlimid treatment working?

Please let me know the answers to these questions, and I will try my best to answer your question. Hang in there. I know this must be tough.

Take care!

Pete V.