Is it possible for a multiple myeloma patient's back to completely heal after suffering initial pain, and then vertebrae compression fractures?
I am newly diagnosed with multiple myeloma, and have extreme back pain, I had one vertebrae compression fracture, had a kyphoplasty, and now have another fracture.
I can't seem to get an answer from anyone. Will I ever have a "normal", somewhat strong back again? How long can I expect to recover from these back problems. I would kind of like to know what to expect if I will ever be able to resume my prior work and activities?
Thank you for any feedback!
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Re: Can I have a normal back again after fractures?
Hello!
I had several 'mild' compression fractures, which caused great pain. After the multiple myeloma was put into a very good complete response with treatment, and also after I took bisphosphonate treatments, eventually I became pain free. I still have to worry about recurrence of fractures, and try not to life too heavy of objects. I am grateful to be stretching, touching my toes, etc. that I could not do for awhile. It took quite a while for the healing to occur though.
Good luck and hope that helps!
I had several 'mild' compression fractures, which caused great pain. After the multiple myeloma was put into a very good complete response with treatment, and also after I took bisphosphonate treatments, eventually I became pain free. I still have to worry about recurrence of fractures, and try not to life too heavy of objects. I am grateful to be stretching, touching my toes, etc. that I could not do for awhile. It took quite a while for the healing to occur though.
Good luck and 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: Can I have a normal back again after fractures?
I had two compression fractures before diagnosis and was occasionally in excruciating pain. Twelve on a scale of one to ten. I too had kyphoplasty on both compressed vertebrae. Then a third vertebrae next to a repaired one fractured before I started treatment. I believe it was a result of the repair on the neighboring vertebrae.
I had immediate relief. Most of the remaining pain from the lesions was basically gone after successful treatment for the multiple myeloma. I did take Zometa.
Today I am cautious that I have a weakened back (no more jumping off bridges at the lake) and eliminate all heavy lifting and sit-ups. I have taken some nasty falls, but no more fractures.
I do have an occasional back pain, but you would never know it.
If I were to prioritize my health concerns, back problems would be far down the list,
Hopefully you'll have the same results. I don't see why not.
I had immediate relief. Most of the remaining pain from the lesions was basically gone after successful treatment for the multiple myeloma. I did take Zometa.
Today I am cautious that I have a weakened back (no more jumping off bridges at the lake) and eliminate all heavy lifting and sit-ups. I have taken some nasty falls, but no more fractures.
I do have an occasional back pain, but you would never know it.
If I were to prioritize my health concerns, back problems would be far down the list,
Hopefully you'll have the same results. I don't see why not.
-
blueblood - Name: Craig
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Myself
- When were you/they diagnosed?: March 2014
- Age at diagnosis: 54
Re: Can I have a normal back again after fractures?
Hi
I had collapse of L3/4/5 and received vertebroplasty. My back felt strong the day after the procedure, and I no longer have the painful back that had plagued me for 2 years.
Kind regards
I had collapse of L3/4/5 and received vertebroplasty. My back felt strong the day after the procedure, and I no longer have the painful back that had plagued me for 2 years.
Kind regards
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SusanTR1964 - Name: Susan
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Me
- When were you/they diagnosed?: 8th February 2016
- Age at diagnosis: 51
Re: Can I have a normal back again after fractures?
Nancy,
How long did it take for the pain to go away? My husband had 2 compression fractures occurring in May 2015. We didn't realize that was the problem until it was too late for him to have the kyphoplasty. He has gone through induction, an autologous stem cell transplant, and now on maintenance. He does Zometa but he still has back pain. I just assumed this was his myeloma curse for the duration.
How long did it take for the pain to go away? My husband had 2 compression fractures occurring in May 2015. We didn't realize that was the problem until it was too late for him to have the kyphoplasty. He has gone through induction, an autologous stem cell transplant, and now on maintenance. He does Zometa but he still has back pain. I just assumed this was his myeloma curse for the duration.
Re: Can I have a normal back again after fractures?
Hi Lrankin,
The fractures happened in 2009, but I am still getting reports about that from annual x-ray skeletal surveys. No new damage is noted, thankfully. The extreme pain went away after a few weeks, but I still got aches and pains in the low back area for maybe 3 years?
I seem stronger now, and walk almost daily, which I am sure does help. Walking and weight bearing exercise is good for people with osteopenia, which I have had for 8 years now at least!
Good luck to your husband and wishing him continuing recovery from the pain of fractures. (Perhaps I should have had kyphoplasty, but at the time I was too nervous about having any operation on my back to do that!)
The fractures happened in 2009, but I am still getting reports about that from annual x-ray skeletal surveys. No new damage is noted, thankfully. The extreme pain went away after a few weeks, but I still got aches and pains in the low back area for maybe 3 years?
I seem stronger now, and walk almost daily, which I am sure does help. Walking and weight bearing exercise is good for people with osteopenia, which I have had for 8 years now at least!
Good luck to your husband and wishing him continuing recovery from the pain of fractures. (Perhaps I should have had kyphoplasty, but at the time I was too nervous about having any operation on my back to do that!)
-
Nancy Shamanna - Name: Nancy Shamanna
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Self and others too
- When were you/they diagnosed?: July 2009
6 posts
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