My dad is in a lot of pain due to a compression fracture. He was told by a spinal specialist today that he has to finish the treatment for his multiple myeloma before she will do the kyphoplasty because she is worried about infection.
I've been searching this afternoon and see nothing saying that he can't do both simultaneously. One user here reported that her father had a kyphoplasty procedure while on treatment back in 2014. That's the only direct information I've been able to find.
My father is being treated with cyclophosphamide, Velcade, and dexamethasone (CyBorD) and is receiving his 3rd of eight chemo treatments tomorrow. He is 78, so we are mostly interested in a good quality of life at this point.
He is in constant pain due to his back and is very disappointed with today's news.
Any thoughts on whether he should push this further with his current spine doctor, and/or seek a second opinion? Thanks!
Forums
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jcd123 - Who do you know with myeloma?: Father
- When were you/they diagnosed?: June 2016
- Age at diagnosis: 78
Re: Kyphoplasty during treatment for multiple myeloma
I had two kyphoplasties during treatment, one three months after diagnosis (March 2015), and one between transplants (July 2015). The doc that did the second one was very concerned about infection, and told me prior to the procedure that he would be sending me home right away to avoid picking up a bug in the hospital.
For me, it was not a complete success, as I never was rid of the pain, but it was a significant improvement. Prior to the first procedure, I could barely function due to the pain. Prior to the second, I could not walk very far, and had a lot of difficulty just getting out of a chair. Shortly after the second procedure, I was walking 1-2 miles, and within a month I was riding my bike up to 15 miles. As I said, not a complete success, but I would do it again.
For me, it was not a complete success, as I never was rid of the pain, but it was a significant improvement. Prior to the first procedure, I could barely function due to the pain. Prior to the second, I could not walk very far, and had a lot of difficulty just getting out of a chair. Shortly after the second procedure, I was walking 1-2 miles, and within a month I was riding my bike up to 15 miles. As I said, not a complete success, but I would do it again.
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Taylor410 - Name: Bob O'Hern
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Myself
- When were you/they diagnosed?: January 2015
- Age at diagnosis: 56
Re: Kyphoplasty during treatment for multiple myeloma
I'm not a doc, but I would think that the decision whether to do surgery or not during treatment would be in part based on just how well one's immune system was doing at that point in time.
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Multibilly - Name: Multibilly
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Me
- When were you/they diagnosed?: Smoldering, Nov, 2012
Re: Kyphoplasty during treatment for multiple myeloma
Hi,
I also had kyphoplasty early in my journey. It was about 3 months after diagnosis and I was told that I should not wait longer since it becomes more difficult to move the bones over time.
Infection was not a big concern for me. However, I did need to stop Lovenox a couple of days prior due to bleeding risk. The procedure helped the pain somewhat, but not completely.
Best! BN
I also had kyphoplasty early in my journey. It was about 3 months after diagnosis and I was told that I should not wait longer since it becomes more difficult to move the bones over time.
Infection was not a big concern for me. However, I did need to stop Lovenox a couple of days prior due to bleeding risk. The procedure helped the pain somewhat, but not completely.
Best! BN
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Bar-none - Who do you know with myeloma?: Me
- When were you/they diagnosed?: 3/14
Re: Kyphoplasty during treatment for multiple myeloma
Hi,
I can't say what you should do or say to your doctor, only share my own experience. I had a kyphoplasty few days after diagnosis, and started Velcade / dexamethasone / cyclophosphamide treatment the same day as the surgery. I don't know about risks of infection, but I was in a very bad state when diagnosed, and in risk of paralysis, so maybe the doctors needed to take the risk.
Mobility improved slowly after surgery, not that fast improvement some have, and after about two months I could move almost normally again, but I still have back pain, although much less than before the surgery.
I hope your dad will have some pain relief soon, with surgery or other pain management.
I can't say what you should do or say to your doctor, only share my own experience. I had a kyphoplasty few days after diagnosis, and started Velcade / dexamethasone / cyclophosphamide treatment the same day as the surgery. I don't know about risks of infection, but I was in a very bad state when diagnosed, and in risk of paralysis, so maybe the doctors needed to take the risk.
Mobility improved slowly after surgery, not that fast improvement some have, and after about two months I could move almost normally again, but I still have back pain, although much less than before the surgery.
I hope your dad will have some pain relief soon, with surgery or other pain management.
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Myosotis - Who do you know with myeloma?: myself
- When were you/they diagnosed?: November 2015
- Age at diagnosis: 37
Re: Kyphoplasty during treatment for multiple myeloma
Does your dad's chemo result in neutropenia (low WBC counts)? This may be the concern from the ortho spinal specialist. Kyphoplasty doesn't require a large incision like other back surgeries (laminectomy, etc), so risk of infection in light of normal WBC counts is small.
The other concern would be how strong the neighboring vertebrae are. Kyphoplasty strengthens the fractured ones, but may cause fractures to the neighboring vertebrae if they have some degree of myeloma also (creating a domino effect both up and down the spine).
A second opinion may shed more light on your dad's decision for kyphoplasty.
The other concern would be how strong the neighboring vertebrae are. Kyphoplasty strengthens the fractured ones, but may cause fractures to the neighboring vertebrae if they have some degree of myeloma also (creating a domino effect both up and down the spine).
A second opinion may shed more light on your dad's decision for kyphoplasty.
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bfukano
Re: Kyphoplasty during treatment for multiple myeloma
Hi,
My father recently had kyphoplasty while on treatment. The procedure happened during a break in the treatment cycle. There has not been immediate pain relief. We are hoping it gets better soon as his mobility is very limited.
Good luck to your dad!
My father recently had kyphoplasty while on treatment. The procedure happened during a break in the treatment cycle. There has not been immediate pain relief. We are hoping it gets better soon as his mobility is very limited.
Good luck to your dad!
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lisaq
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