Hi, I am new to posting on this site.
I am writing to see if anyone has experienced severe lower back pain caused by the medicine used in the transplant and chemo portion of an auto transplant.
Please let me know. My doctors tell me this is nerve pain caused by the drugs and chemicals used in the auto transplant and chemo.
Thanks a lot
Skinner1157
Forums
Re: Lower back pain after stem cell transplant
Yes, I have this too.
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brandywine - Name: brandywine
- Who do you know with myeloma?: myself
- When were you/they diagnosed?: May 2013
- Age at diagnosis: 67
Re: Lower back pain after stem cell transplant
I am also new to this site. I am 8 weeks removed from my auto stem cell transplant. I am also experiencing low back pain, especially when trying to sleep. I will talk to my oncologist in a few weeks and try and get some answers and treatment options.
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GaryJ - Name: Gary Johanknecht
- When were you/they diagnosed?: 09/17/2014
- Age at diagnosis: 68
Re: Lower back pain after stem cell transplant
I am also experiencing lower back pain. I am 7 weeks out from my transplant. What is the remedy your doctor prescribed?
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S Baron
Re: Lower back pain after stem cell transplant
Back pain is a real problem for patients and for doctors trying to understand and treat it. However, lower back pain is not an expected side effect of stem cell transplantation.
During the stem cell collection process, the growth factor shots that are given to stimulate production of stem cells can definitely cause mild to severe bone pain that can last for days. It also is possible that back pain might be worse in patients after a stem cell transplant because of inactivity. We all know that getting through a transplant can be a long process, and the majority of patients do not feel great during the transplant and do not feel a lot like exercising, walking, etc – things that could maintain back health and strength. In addition, many patients are not able to stay in their own homes during a stem cell transplant, and therefore their back health is impacted negatively by sleeping in hotel or hospital beds.
To the best of my knowledge, however, there is no specific reason that a stem cell transplant would regularly cause increased back pain in patients (except for the growth factor shots during the collection process, which I mentioned earlier). The stem cell transplant literature does not suggest that back pain is a frequently encountered problem post transplant.
Lower back pain is one of the most common discomforts / maladies of life. This is because our spine supports the weight of our body anytime we are either sitting or standing – which is more than half of every day. As the years go by, almost everyone develops degenerative arthritis (osteoarthritis) in their spines. Different people have different amounts of discomfort from the osteoarthritis.
Back pain is such a pain in the ... back !
During the stem cell collection process, the growth factor shots that are given to stimulate production of stem cells can definitely cause mild to severe bone pain that can last for days. It also is possible that back pain might be worse in patients after a stem cell transplant because of inactivity. We all know that getting through a transplant can be a long process, and the majority of patients do not feel great during the transplant and do not feel a lot like exercising, walking, etc – things that could maintain back health and strength. In addition, many patients are not able to stay in their own homes during a stem cell transplant, and therefore their back health is impacted negatively by sleeping in hotel or hospital beds.
To the best of my knowledge, however, there is no specific reason that a stem cell transplant would regularly cause increased back pain in patients (except for the growth factor shots during the collection process, which I mentioned earlier). The stem cell transplant literature does not suggest that back pain is a frequently encountered problem post transplant.
Lower back pain is one of the most common discomforts / maladies of life. This is because our spine supports the weight of our body anytime we are either sitting or standing – which is more than half of every day. As the years go by, almost everyone develops degenerative arthritis (osteoarthritis) in their spines. Different people have different amounts of discomfort from the osteoarthritis.
Back pain is such a pain in the ... back !
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Dr. Edward Libby - Name: Edward Libby, M.D.
Beacon Medical Advisor
Re: Lower back pain after stem cell transplant
I agree with Dr. Libby. Prior to my diagnosis, I had chronic back pain for many years, which I controlled by a combination of back exercises and Aleve (naproxen).
When I developed myeloma, I had compression fractures that were repaired with kyphoplasties, but my back pain was severe enough that I couldn't do my back exercises. My March 2013 stem cell transplant, with many days in bed, exacerbated that deconditioning. It is astonishing how fast our muscles atrophy, and abdominal muscles are critical in providing back support.
During my recovery, I met with a physical therapist, who gave me modified exercises to start with. The change was almost immediately. Also, I discovered something called an AirPillo, which you can order online.
I am now experiencing less back pain than I have in decades.
When I developed myeloma, I had compression fractures that were repaired with kyphoplasties, but my back pain was severe enough that I couldn't do my back exercises. My March 2013 stem cell transplant, with many days in bed, exacerbated that deconditioning. It is astonishing how fast our muscles atrophy, and abdominal muscles are critical in providing back support.
During my recovery, I met with a physical therapist, who gave me modified exercises to start with. The change was almost immediately. Also, I discovered something called an AirPillo, which you can order online.
I am now experiencing less back pain than I have in decades.
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Ginny - Name: Ginny
- Who do you know with myeloma?: self and four friends
- When were you/they diagnosed?: October, 2012
- Age at diagnosis: 62
Re: Lower back pain after stem cell transplant
Hi,
I just returned from the Rochester, MN Mayo Clinic. My doctor is Martha Q. Lacy. She has said that my back pain may be caused by stenosis and has suggested I have my pain doc inject the small areas of my backbone, which may be causing the back pain. She also suggested that exercises (like pushing a shopping cart) and icing the area may help. I will be seeing my pain doc in a week; will let you folks know what he suggests.
While shopping yesterday, I did lean on the bar of the shopping cart and the pain was much lower than before I pushed it. Have not tried ice yet. I still take narcotics at night.
I have tried using techniques suggested in a book I have read. The name of the book is "The brain's way of healing: remarkable discoveries and recoveries." I don't know the author's name but will be posting it the next time I reply to you folks.
Until next time, God bless you in your struggles.
skinner
I just returned from the Rochester, MN Mayo Clinic. My doctor is Martha Q. Lacy. She has said that my back pain may be caused by stenosis and has suggested I have my pain doc inject the small areas of my backbone, which may be causing the back pain. She also suggested that exercises (like pushing a shopping cart) and icing the area may help. I will be seeing my pain doc in a week; will let you folks know what he suggests.
While shopping yesterday, I did lean on the bar of the shopping cart and the pain was much lower than before I pushed it. Have not tried ice yet. I still take narcotics at night.
I have tried using techniques suggested in a book I have read. The name of the book is "The brain's way of healing: remarkable discoveries and recoveries." I don't know the author's name but will be posting it the next time I reply to you folks.
Until next time, God bless you in your struggles.
skinner
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skinner1157 - Name: JL
- When were you/they diagnosed?: i was dx july2008
- Age at diagnosis: 64
Re: Lower back pain after stem cell transplant
I also had back pain after SCT and found relief after daily gentle stretching and back strengthening exercises.
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AEL
Re: Lower back pain after stem cell transplant
Several days ago, my pain control doctor injected Kenalog (triamcinolone acetonide) into the painful area of my spine. Since then, I have had little or no pain. Don't know how long this will last, but it's good enough for today.
skinner
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skinner1157 - Name: JL
- When were you/they diagnosed?: i was dx july2008
- Age at diagnosis: 64
Re: Lower back pain after stem cell transplant
Hello,
Dad is having the same problem. He had an autologous bone marrow transplant 5 months ago. About 2 weeks ago he had a right side low back pain increasing with lying down and standing, it was't painful on sitting and walking, but 2 days ago he started to have lateral thigh muscle pain
He's scheduled to have a PET-CT scan in 10 days.
He is a bit worried, although his electrophoresis results show a complete response (CR) and last CBC was within normal. Maybe he did something strenuous.
I am getting worried as well but hope it is not something new.
Dad is having the same problem. He had an autologous bone marrow transplant 5 months ago. About 2 weeks ago he had a right side low back pain increasing with lying down and standing, it was't painful on sitting and walking, but 2 days ago he started to have lateral thigh muscle pain
He's scheduled to have a PET-CT scan in 10 days.
He is a bit worried, although his electrophoresis results show a complete response (CR) and last CBC was within normal. Maybe he did something strenuous.
I am getting worried as well but hope it is not something new.
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salma - Name: salma
- Who do you know with myeloma?: father
- When were you/they diagnosed?: 2015
- Age at diagnosis: 63
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