dear all,
I was diagnosed as SMM or multiple myeloma? in April 2012 as a surprise for my 58 yr birthday. I have been under tight control (monthly CBC) since then and it is not yet decided about the commencement of treatment. My IgG is 69 g/l, IGA 1.15 g/l and IgM 0.26 which is the latest result. I have sought a number of second opinion, some doctors suggested immediate treatment, the others said WAIT...!
I used to be active in physical exercise and sport. Now I only walk for one hour in the morning. Pls share with me what type of physical exercise is best suitable or doable for multiple myeloma. Pls feel free to share yr experiences. thanks boon
p.s i am a resident in Switzerland.
Forums
Re: Introduction and question about exercise
Hi Boon, Many myeloma patients do a wide variety of exercises. One of the guiding considerations is how much bone damage you may have sustained. You would have a better idea of that from a skeletal X-ray survey or other tests. The bone damage causes weakness and also bone pain, and can lead to spontaneous fractures....so lifting anything heavy is not recommended. To me, an extension of that is that activities shouldn't cause too much stress on the body either! Walking is good for you...swimming, cycling. Lots of patients who post on these forums do those activities. Many also take 'bone building' medications, bisphonates, to strenghten their bones. Hope that helps.
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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: Introduction and question about exercise
Dear Nancy,
Thankssss for the tip of exercise. As per the result of skeletal x-ray, all reportedly remain normal. I have been taking cancium tablet (caltrate) prescribed by the doctor. I just stopped it as one of senior hematologist/oncologist told me to simply stop the caltrate! Pls feel free to share any other tips. thanks
Thankssss for the tip of exercise. As per the result of skeletal x-ray, all reportedly remain normal. I have been taking cancium tablet (caltrate) prescribed by the doctor. I just stopped it as one of senior hematologist/oncologist told me to simply stop the caltrate! Pls feel free to share any other tips. thanks
Re: Introduction and question about exercise
boon,
As Nancy stated, a lot of patients still remain active, it all depends on the state of your disease. My main symptom was anemia, and I noticed I was much more fatigued during my exercise by the time I was first diagnosed, and I got the standard order not to lift anything over ten pounds and to avoid activities that increased risk of injury. However, skeletal x-ray and bone density tests showed that I had no bone lesions, and no bone density loss. Consequently, I was cleared for most exercise, and have continued to bike, lift weights, and do a variety of other activities for the past year and a half since diagnosis (I was even cleared to play hockey again after a year of treatment). I also am on Zometa (bisphosphonate) and calcium supplements to help keep bone strength up. I can't ignore that I have cancer, and it does affect how much I can do and how hard I exercise, so I'm careful and I listen to my body - it tells me when I'm exerting too much, but otherwise I do whatever I feel up to doing.
As Nancy stated, a lot of patients still remain active, it all depends on the state of your disease. My main symptom was anemia, and I noticed I was much more fatigued during my exercise by the time I was first diagnosed, and I got the standard order not to lift anything over ten pounds and to avoid activities that increased risk of injury. However, skeletal x-ray and bone density tests showed that I had no bone lesions, and no bone density loss. Consequently, I was cleared for most exercise, and have continued to bike, lift weights, and do a variety of other activities for the past year and a half since diagnosis (I was even cleared to play hockey again after a year of treatment). I also am on Zometa (bisphosphonate) and calcium supplements to help keep bone strength up. I can't ignore that I have cancer, and it does affect how much I can do and how hard I exercise, so I'm careful and I listen to my body - it tells me when I'm exerting too much, but otherwise I do whatever I feel up to doing.
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Kevin J - Name: Kevin J
- Who do you know with myeloma?: myself
- When were you/they diagnosed?: Jan 2011
- Age at diagnosis: 52
Re: Introduction and question about exercise
When I was undergoing induction therapy last year and developed pretty bad neuropathy pains, I found swimming was great exercise and helped make the pains go away. Several other people who had peripheral neuropathy found the said the same thing about swimming. I also set my bike up on a trainer in my living room and rode it to help alleviate the neuropathy pains. It was really helpful to have as the nerve pains were often the worst in the dead of the night. Eventually though I lost 50lbs and became too weak to do much other than the occasional walk in the months leading up to my stem cell transplant . After having said all that gloom and doom, X-rays showed minimal bone lesions so now 8 months out from my stem cell transplant I have been cycling on the road, swimming, and skiing at the end of last winter. Other than the nerve damage, my treatments went really well and I am probably in better health than I have been in the last 5 years. The only thing I have avoided so far is ocean swimming, because there is a lot of bacteria in the water near the beaches.
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Eric Hofacket - Name: Eric H
- When were you/they diagnosed?: 01 April 2011
- Age at diagnosis: 44
Re: Introduction and question about exercise
Dear Kevin and Eric,
Million thanks for sharing yr experiences and tips. My doctor told me to carry on my normal life as I am still at the asymptomatic stage. Psychologically I was reluctant to continue my sport activities (badminton, swim and run) as I am afraid it is going to weaken my bones! Having learned from your experiences, I am going to begin and resume my sport exercise step by step. I still feel pretty normal. Many thanks indeed. cheers
Million thanks for sharing yr experiences and tips. My doctor told me to carry on my normal life as I am still at the asymptomatic stage. Psychologically I was reluctant to continue my sport activities (badminton, swim and run) as I am afraid it is going to weaken my bones! Having learned from your experiences, I am going to begin and resume my sport exercise step by step. I still feel pretty normal. Many thanks indeed. cheers
Re: Introduction and question about exercise
I got a little exercise helper a couple months ago. His name is Skitters. He's a shih-tzu/poodle, and full of pep. Before this I had a hard time getting out. Too lazy. Skitters is my ticket to better health. Walking is always good. Your body will warn you if it's not.
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Jubyanne - Name: Julia Munson
- Who do you know with myeloma?: myself, son's mother-in-law
- When were you/they diagnosed?: Spring 2008
- Age at diagnosis: 65
Re: Introduction and question about exercise
Cute, Julia!! We also have a new 'grand puppy' to borrow and look after at times! The dogs certainly get a person outdoors a lot.
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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: Introduction and question about exercise
I have SMM with no signs of Bone Damage. I exercise very Heavily and Lift weights. (just started 2 months ago) I feel great and have never felt better. Helps mentally also! I'm 41 years old. Everyone is different but I say listen to your body. It knows what's best. 
Best Wishes
Art
Best Wishes
Art
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Art - Name: Art
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Self
- When were you/they diagnosed?: 12/2011
- Age at diagnosis: 40
Re: Introduction and question about exercise
Long post ahead!
Hi I am about 26 months post stem cell transplant, in remission and not taking any medications at this time.
Before my diagnosis I found myself trying to maintain a physical lifestyle, but my body started failing me. I remember one point during the first warm up minutes on the treadmill I thought I was going to pass out! I found walking made me feel like I was going to collapse, and I would have heart palpitations. Now I know this is because I was very anaemic when I finally did collapse at work and was later diagnosed with multiple myeloma in the ER!
Early on I had a minor vertebrate collapse at T7 and had a few scattered bone lesions. I took bone builder drug pamidronate for two years monthly but have recently stopped it to take a break from it.
I am in my mid 30's so It would be hard for me not to be active.
I found exercise was the thing that brought me back to health after my stem cell transplant I felt so weak and tired and my body lost all it’s muscle mass from the high dose steroids I was on.
I started swimming everyday (walking just wasn't bringing back any muscle strength for me, not intense enough). Next I started the gym machines. Then finally about 8 months after my transplant I started biking again, and at the one year mark of my transplant completed a 200km bike cancer fundraiser!
I was pretty fit before cancer, so I think it helps if you are used to be active to get back into your normal routine even though now you are living with cancer.
Now I am feeling well in general and able to do what I want mostly. My doctor has cautioned me not to do stuff like Yoga because of the twisting. And at a boot camp class I do a modified ab routine so I don't stress my back.
The joke with us is that I taught my husband to snowboard the year after my transplant, and now we go regularly. I don't do any tricks or anything
But I have been boarding for close to 20 years, so I don't fall much!. My doctors response when we told her about the snowboarding trip was "most of my patients would not even attempt it! " but because of my age- being younger then most patients - she said "you gotta live a little" do what you feel capable of, "good for you!"
Needless to say I am enjoying my remission! I can develop fatigue easily though, so I must sleep like 8-10 hours a night, and if I have a few busy days I need to take a rest day and recharge. If I overdo it at the gym I wont notice until the next day I feel like I can’t get out of bed. So I am not able to train at really high intensity, so I keep stuff moderate
Hi I am about 26 months post stem cell transplant, in remission and not taking any medications at this time.
Before my diagnosis I found myself trying to maintain a physical lifestyle, but my body started failing me. I remember one point during the first warm up minutes on the treadmill I thought I was going to pass out! I found walking made me feel like I was going to collapse, and I would have heart palpitations. Now I know this is because I was very anaemic when I finally did collapse at work and was later diagnosed with multiple myeloma in the ER!
Early on I had a minor vertebrate collapse at T7 and had a few scattered bone lesions. I took bone builder drug pamidronate for two years monthly but have recently stopped it to take a break from it.
I am in my mid 30's so It would be hard for me not to be active.
I found exercise was the thing that brought me back to health after my stem cell transplant I felt so weak and tired and my body lost all it’s muscle mass from the high dose steroids I was on.
I started swimming everyday (walking just wasn't bringing back any muscle strength for me, not intense enough). Next I started the gym machines. Then finally about 8 months after my transplant I started biking again, and at the one year mark of my transplant completed a 200km bike cancer fundraiser!
I was pretty fit before cancer, so I think it helps if you are used to be active to get back into your normal routine even though now you are living with cancer.
Now I am feeling well in general and able to do what I want mostly. My doctor has cautioned me not to do stuff like Yoga because of the twisting. And at a boot camp class I do a modified ab routine so I don't stress my back.
The joke with us is that I taught my husband to snowboard the year after my transplant, and now we go regularly. I don't do any tricks or anything
But I have been boarding for close to 20 years, so I don't fall much!. My doctors response when we told her about the snowboarding trip was "most of my patients would not even attempt it! " but because of my age- being younger then most patients - she said "you gotta live a little" do what you feel capable of, "good for you!" Needless to say I am enjoying my remission! I can develop fatigue easily though, so I must sleep like 8-10 hours a night, and if I have a few busy days I need to take a rest day and recharge. If I overdo it at the gym I wont notice until the next day I feel like I can’t get out of bed. So I am not able to train at really high intensity, so I keep stuff moderate
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lys2012 - Name: Alyssa
- When were you/they diagnosed?: 2010, Toronto, Canada
- Age at diagnosis: 32
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