[inchkape]

Kevin, 57 years old, diagnosed May 2016

by inchkape on Mon Jan 16, 2017 5:33 am

Hello everyone,

My name's Kevin, a 57 year old British man living in Switzerland.

I was diagnosed with multiple myeloma in May of 2016 after suffering debilitating back pain between my shoulder blades.

Following the various scans to discover the cause of the pain, I was found to have 3 vertebrae completely eaten away inside, one of which had partially collapsed, causing pain right around my torso.

Since then I've been on the same path as many of you.

The Myeloma Beacon was the first site dedicated to multiple myeloma that I felt had good in-depth information for people like me, and I have since then become a frequent reader.

I decided that it's time to also pay back what I can to you all, by also writing my experiences and insights such as they are.

That said, I do tend to write often inside my head, without actually getting around to typing it out physically, so time will tell what I really add to this site.

My first step here is a big thank you to all of you who have contributed to this collection of experiences, both good and bad, and a very heartfelt and humble thank you to all those who at great effort or risk and suffering to themselves helped bring about the treatments we have available today, and who made the difference between us living with multiple myeloma or dying of multiple myeloma.

I take my hat off to you.

[Colin]

Re: Kevin, 57 years old, diagnosed May 2016

by Colin on Mon Jan 16, 2017 12:36 pm

Very well stated Kevin. My experience has been very similar to yours and I completely agree with your feelings about this forum and all the helpful advice contributed. Look forward to hearing more about your journey. I too have pain in my upper vertebrae with collapsed discs and am hoping these will find relief through treatment.

Best of luck to you and thanks for your post.

[inchkape]

Re: Kevin, 57 years old, diagnosed May 2016

by inchkape on Wed Jan 18, 2017 7:01 am

Colin,

I had vertebroplasty on three vertebrae here in Lausanne in May of 2016. The doctors con­sidered it an urgent operation as the vertebrae concerned were in a very fragile condition. After the operations (spread over two days) I was able to stand and walk four hours after the ops.

I needed eight injections of morphine per day for three days, plus 6 capsules of Oxynorm (Oyxcontin) which caused total constipation, but allowed me to stand the post-op pain. I was allowed home two days after the second op with a prescription for Oxynorm and Targin (similar, but long-acting effect, one pill every 12 hours).

Within a week I was using only the Targin (oxycodone and naloxone) and one Oxynorm at night. Within three weeks I no longer needed any pain medication and I have been totally pain-free since the beginning of July 2016.

All the best to you and I hope your path will be a smooth as mine!