Hello everyone,
My mother who has myeloma suffers from recurring sciatic nerve issues. She also has a scoliosis.
She has always suffered from back pain since over 20 years and has always taken anti-inflammatory drugs (ibuprofen mostly).
Is it OK to take these drugs while having myeloma?
We were told that it is not good for the kidneys and knowing that myeloma can affect the kidneys she has stopped taking ibuprofen for over a year to the detriment of her pain (non myeloma related).
Her kidney function is normal.
Please, what are your thoughts? Can one take ibuprofen while having myeloma without the risk of damaging the kidneys?
Thanks,
Maro
Forums
8 posts
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Maro - Who do you know with myeloma?: My mom
- When were you/they diagnosed?: March 2014
- Age at diagnosis: 63
Re: Is it OK to take anti-inflammatory (ibuprofen)?
I have seen a number of the Beacon medical advisors caution about taking ibuprofen because in myeloma patients the kidneys can already be stressed from effects of myeloma itself and the drugs used to treat it. Ibuprofen can add additional stress. It can be important to keep the kidneys healthy as it can limit future treatment options and many clinical trials will exclude applicants that have poor kidney health. The advice from the Beacons medical advisors has always been to discuss this and consult with the patients doctor who can examine the patients and has access to the lab results and medical case to make a decision about if ibuprofen is save or not for a patient. If it were me I would not take my guidance from someone the internet on this over my doctor.
Having said that you might have your mother take a look at curcumin to see if that may provide some relieve to her arthritis pain. If you have been reading and researching myeloma a lot you probably have come across curcumin and its potential anti-myeloma properties. I have taken curcumin myself though I am on the fence about whether curcumin has potent anti-myeloma properties or not. But I have read that curcumin is supposed to be a natural anti-inflammatory and its effects as an anti-inflammatory have been vetted. I have read accounts from other Beacon readers curcumin has helped with the inflammation problems. Maybe it could help your mother too if she is not able to take ibuprofen? As stated earlier it would be best to discuss all this with her doctor. Best wishes,
Eric
Having said that you might have your mother take a look at curcumin to see if that may provide some relieve to her arthritis pain. If you have been reading and researching myeloma a lot you probably have come across curcumin and its potential anti-myeloma properties. I have taken curcumin myself though I am on the fence about whether curcumin has potent anti-myeloma properties or not. But I have read that curcumin is supposed to be a natural anti-inflammatory and its effects as an anti-inflammatory have been vetted. I have read accounts from other Beacon readers curcumin has helped with the inflammation problems. Maybe it could help your mother too if she is not able to take ibuprofen? As stated earlier it would be best to discuss all this with her doctor. Best wishes,
Eric
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Eric Hofacket - Name: Eric H
- When were you/they diagnosed?: 01 April 2011
- Age at diagnosis: 44
Re: Is it OK to take anti-inflammatory (ibuprofen)?
Hi Maro,
I concur with what Eric said about ibuprofen. I've gotten the same advice-not to take it-from my myeloma specialist.
For minor pain, my doctor recommends Tylenol (acetaminophen, paracetamol).
Mike
I concur with what Eric said about ibuprofen. I've gotten the same advice-not to take it-from my myeloma specialist.
For minor pain, my doctor recommends Tylenol (acetaminophen, paracetamol).
Mike
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mikeb - Name: mikeb
- Who do you know with myeloma?: self
- When were you/they diagnosed?: 2009 (MGUS at that time)
- Age at diagnosis: 55
Re: Is it OK to take anti-inflammatory (ibuprofen)?
Ditto here. No NSAIDs that put any additional stress on kidney or liver per my doc.
Best! BN
Best! BN
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Bar-none - Who do you know with myeloma?: Me
- When were you/they diagnosed?: 3/14
Re: Is it OK to take anti-inflammatory (ibuprofen)?
Thank you all for your answers. I was mostly seeking opinions I assure you I was not going to over rule doctors advice 
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Maro - Who do you know with myeloma?: My mom
- When were you/they diagnosed?: March 2014
- Age at diagnosis: 63
Re: Is it OK to take anti-inflammatory (ibuprofen)?
One of the things that you might ask her oncologist for is a referral to a pain specialist. This person could work with your mother to develop a pain control strategy that would be safe for her.
Nancy in Phila
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: Is it OK to take anti-inflammatory (ibuprofen)?
Likewise my oncologist has counseled against ibuprofen and naproxyn. He did, however, prescribe celebrex.
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goldmine848 - Name: Andrew
- When were you/they diagnosed?: June 2013
- Age at diagnosis: 60
Re: Is it OK to take anti-inflammatory (ibuprofen)?
I don't wish to advise anyone to go against doctor's orders but are you aware Celebrex is also an NSAID? Have you looked it up and noted its side effects?
I attempted it years ago and found out it was not advisable with thyroid disease and caused stomach problems although claims less than ibuprofen. Perhaps for some myeloma patients it is o.k.
I attempted it years ago and found out it was not advisable with thyroid disease and caused stomach problems although claims less than ibuprofen. Perhaps for some myeloma patients it is o.k.
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smarty - Name: Marti
- Who do you know with myeloma?: myself Smoldering Myeloma
- When were you/they diagnosed?: May 1, 2015
- Age at diagnosis: 76
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