[Olivera Ruzic]

Options for intensive spinal pain (compressed vertebrae)?

by Olivera Ruzic on Fri Oct 21, 2016 5:37 pm

My name is Olivera and I live in Serbia.

I have been diagnosed multiple myeloma 3 years ago. Now, I am in the state of complete remission. So I relatively made my disease in some stable state, but now I have another problem. I have problem with my spine.

Because of the nature of my disease, and the treatment with corticosteroids (dexamethasone), my spine is in very bad condition. I am suffering from very intensive pain in my spine, and all vertebrae are decreased high.

I would like to ask you, is there any cure for this condition?

When I made MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) in private clinic, they told me that I need to do vertebroplasty or kyphoplasty procedure. But when I had gone to the doctor who was doing this treatment (and it wasn't in private clinic; it was in clinic provided by social insurance), he was very rude, uninterested, and told me that I am not suitable for that kind of treatment.

So I am going to post you the abstract of MRI report:

"There is a reduction in the height of multiple vertebral bodies of the thoracic and lumbal spine without ilumbalnogdela [?] spinal canal stenosis and no compression of neural structures with hypnosis of the thoracic spine. My review did not show the existence of metastatic neoplastic changes."

[Little Monkey]

Re: Options for intensive spinal pain (compressed vertebrae)

by Little Monkey on Sat Oct 22, 2016 10:12 am

Zdravo Olivera!

Have you thought about getting a referral to the VMA (military hospital) in Beograd to see a spine surgeon? VMA has civilian days for member of the general public in Serbia.

Also, are you on bone-building drugs, such as zoledronic acid (Zometa) or pamidronate (Aredia)? I realize that, unfortunately, bone building drugs are highly rationed when it comes to myeloma treatment in Serbia.

Now, my dad's situation was a bit different than yours, as they had to do a vertebroplasty on an emergency basis after removing a fairly large plasmacytoma. But they stabilized the rest of his spine with titanium rods. We live in Canada.

But to get to your question, I think that vertebroplasty and kyphoplasty are quite commonly used to restore vertebral height. Did the doctor tell you why you weren't suitable for treatment?

[Olivera Ruzic]

Re: Options for intensive spinal pain (compressed vertebrae)

by Olivera Ruzic on Mon Oct 24, 2016 10:02 pm

Thank you for your reply. Your answer really made me happy.

I was receiving Zometa two times with six doses in six months. It looks like I am not suitable for receiving Zometa any more, because I have pain in my jaw and teeth after receiving the treatment.

Now I am fine with bones. It looks like my bones aren't decomposing any more. Doctors told me that there is no myeloma cells in bones.

You told me Hello Olivera on Serbian, and because of that, I thought that you or your relatives are maybe from Serbia? I am living in Krusevac.

I was thinking about VMA (medical hospital) also, but I don't have connections to VMA, and I am afraid that I am not going to do anything without connections or money which I spent on mz previous medical treatments. All this procedures (kyphoplasty and vertebroplasty) are done under the cost of social insurance, but here is very bad situation in medicine and you can't do very much without money or connections.

I really don't know what to do. I am relatively stable state with my primary disease, but I really can't handle with the pain in my back and felling on weight on my back.

I welcome any further advice you or others may have.

Greetings from Serbia.

[Little Monkey]

Re: Options for intensive spinal pain (compressed vertebrae)

by Little Monkey on Tue Oct 25, 2016 7:55 am

Hi Olivera,

All my family is from northern Serbia and half of them still live there, I was born in Canada though.

You social insurance should cover any treatments at VMA, However, when it comes to hospitals in Serbia, connections and "gifts" are unfortunately part of the unofficial payment plan of some hospitals over there.

Since you are about halfway between Nis and Beograd, do you think you could get a referral to the main hospital in Nis? Their neurosurgery department handles spine issues.

http://kcnis.rs/en/index.php/klinike-klinickog-centra-nis/surgery/neurosurgery-clinic

[Olivera Ruzic]

Re: Options for intensive spinal pain (compressed vertebrae)

by Olivera Ruzic on Fri Nov 25, 2016 3:56 pm

Hello Little Monkey,

Thank you for your reply. How is your father? What kind of treatment is receiving now?

Hello everyone,

I am 57. I am going through my fight with multiple myeloma for three years. I am facing possible neuropathy as a side effect of thalidomide and I also have problems with compressed vertebrae.

[Little Monkey]

Re: Options for intensive spinal pain (compressed vertebrae)

by Little Monkey on Sun Nov 27, 2016 7:58 pm

Hi Olivera,

My dad is okay, but he does have neuropathy. He finished his treatment regimen a month ago; he was taking cyclophosphamide, Velcade (bortezomib), and dexamethasone (CyBorD). Previous to CyBorD, he had spine surgery for compressed vertebrae due to a neoplasm and radiation treat­ment.