G,day
I was diagnosed with multiple myeloma in 2011 here in Australia, after a tumour was located around the sternum area. I have had extensive treatment and now find myself on a Revlimid/ prednisolone daily intake for 21 days a month. Earlier treatments include stem cell removal, chemo and dex.
I long for a return to work but a "ring" of rib and back pain, plus fatigue, inhibit any plans I have. I guess I,d like to find out if this complaint is common. It slows me down to barely walking and spasms when I initiate any movement...only for a few seconds but enough to tell me it's there.
My doctor is clear that the myeloma figures are low so I should be problem free but this issue nags me every day. Endone and other pain killers are less effective now.
I would appreciate anything you can help me with.
Regards
Alan
Forums
5 posts
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Re: multiple myeloma
G'day to you Alan!
Have you had any recent x-ray or MRI work done to look at your spine to see if there are any issues with your vertebrae? As you probably know, it's common for myeloma patients to experience cracked vertebrae, and often vertebrae even disappear completely. It sounds to me like your pain might be related to a back issue that might be diagnosed better if you had some x-rays or an MR.
One thing that might reduce the pain you're feeling is to take a muscle relaxant. Those have side effects, of course, but they can reduce the spasms that often cause the pain to get worse.
Finally, some people feel that pain patches work better for them than general pain pills like oxycodone (Endone in your country) when it comes to back pain. Fentanyl patches are a common option, but I believe there are other types of pain patches as well.
You might want to discuss the patch option with your doctor.
Have you had any recent x-ray or MRI work done to look at your spine to see if there are any issues with your vertebrae? As you probably know, it's common for myeloma patients to experience cracked vertebrae, and often vertebrae even disappear completely. It sounds to me like your pain might be related to a back issue that might be diagnosed better if you had some x-rays or an MR.
One thing that might reduce the pain you're feeling is to take a muscle relaxant. Those have side effects, of course, but they can reduce the spasms that often cause the pain to get worse.
Finally, some people feel that pain patches work better for them than general pain pills like oxycodone (Endone in your country) when it comes to back pain. Fentanyl patches are a common option, but I believe there are other types of pain patches as well.
You might want to discuss the patch option with your doctor.
Re: multiple myeloma
I cannot speak to the medical system in Australia. However, myeloma is disease that requires multidisciplinary care. This frequently includes not only your medical oncologist, but pain management, interventional pain, neurosurgery, nephrologists and occasionally a neurologist.
As stated imaging with plane X ray and potentially an MRI will assist in identifying the source of your back pain. A compression fracture (collpapse of one of the vertebral bodies in your back) can be addressed by a neurosurgeon with something called vertebroplasty, This may occur even if your myeloma is under control because of intial bone disease. You also want to make sure that it is not a sign of relapsing disease-we hope not-but again you need to know. There are numerous possible etiologies for your pain, but imaging is a start. Localized dermal patches may be of assistance.
As stated imaging with plane X ray and potentially an MRI will assist in identifying the source of your back pain. A compression fracture (collpapse of one of the vertebral bodies in your back) can be addressed by a neurosurgeon with something called vertebroplasty, This may occur even if your myeloma is under control because of intial bone disease. You also want to make sure that it is not a sign of relapsing disease-we hope not-but again you need to know. There are numerous possible etiologies for your pain, but imaging is a start. Localized dermal patches may be of assistance.
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Dr. Ken Shain - Name: Ken Shain, M.D., Ph.D.
Beacon Medical Advisor
Re: multiple myeloma
Alan,
I had issues with pain through my rib cage this past Jan that lasted until Apr (this was nine months into treatment and I was at VGPR by this time). I have never had any bone involvement in my symptoms, so this took me and my doctors by surprise. We did an MRI and several other tests to check for clots, skeletal issues, etc. but never found a source for the pain. In the end, we figured it may have been muscular strain, or possibly pleurisy (which is an inflammation of the pleural tissue surrounding the lungs). My vote was for the pleurisy since I had a nasty sinus infection in Jan, and one of the sources for pleurisy can be a viral infection. I had pleurisy once before and this recent issue was similar, though not as severe. The symptoms of pleurisy are sharp, shooting pain through your rib cage. I'm not saying this is the issue with you, but could be worth discussing with your doctor, particularly if you've had a viral infection or other respiratory issues recently.
I had issues with pain through my rib cage this past Jan that lasted until Apr (this was nine months into treatment and I was at VGPR by this time). I have never had any bone involvement in my symptoms, so this took me and my doctors by surprise. We did an MRI and several other tests to check for clots, skeletal issues, etc. but never found a source for the pain. In the end, we figured it may have been muscular strain, or possibly pleurisy (which is an inflammation of the pleural tissue surrounding the lungs). My vote was for the pleurisy since I had a nasty sinus infection in Jan, and one of the sources for pleurisy can be a viral infection. I had pleurisy once before and this recent issue was similar, though not as severe. The symptoms of pleurisy are sharp, shooting pain through your rib cage. I'm not saying this is the issue with you, but could be worth discussing with your doctor, particularly if you've had a viral infection or other respiratory issues recently.
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Kevin J - Name: Kevin J
- Who do you know with myeloma?: myself
- When were you/they diagnosed?: Jan 2011
- Age at diagnosis: 52
Re: multiple myeloma
Hi - I was diagnosed this winter at age 56 with MGUS following at BMA and was told relatives may be in a higher risk category for MGUS or multiple myeloma. My 81 old year uncle had heart blockage about 6-7 years ago and had a stent placed. Although he didn't have high BP or Chol, he was placed on anti chol/BP drugs along w cumaden (sp?). For the past 5 years my uncle has been tired (sleeps 12-14 hours per day) and very anemic (he gets blood transfusions). They have conducted tests (upper/lower GI, Petscans, MRIs etc.) to determine why he is anemic and there is no answer. Two years, he was placed in hospice w unknown cause (not eating, sleeping too much, weight loss, etc.) and they took him off all drugs and he suddenly got better, but still anemic. Out of hospice. My aunt told me his 'iron count' is around 8 and they are concerned because there is a 'abnormal bone marrow protein' in his blood so he will have a BMA. Not assuming anything, but is this typical of the anemia assoc with multiple myeloma? Very puzzling situation.
5 posts
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