Initially 8.9 g/dL (89 g/l) M-spike and 80% bone marrow plasma cell percentage. After 5 cycles of treatment, my M-spike was 0.1 g/dL and my bone marrow plasma cell percentage was 2%
After 5 cycles of Velcade / Revlimid / dex (VRD, I finally had a PET scan done. Initial full body x-ray at diagnosis did not show anything. But I had / have spine and rib pain. PET shows "Multiple level osteolytic changes in ribs and vertebral bodies compatible with treated multiple myeloma disease."
So does this mean the bones are repaired?
I still have pain, Not nearly as wide spread of intense as when I was diagnosed.
How long will I have bone pain? Does it ever go away?
-Chris
Forums
8 posts
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ninja performance - Name: Chris Hill
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Self
- When were you/they diagnosed?: 08/04/2011
- Age at diagnosis: 43
Re: Still have bone pain after treatment, will it go away?
Sorry to hear that Chris! I never had bone pain, I am in remission to date( since July 2011). have a complete myeloma work up coming in March to see if I still am.
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greg matthews - Name: Greg Matthews
- Who do you know with myeloma?: myself
- When were you/they diagnosed?: 12-28-2010
- Age at diagnosis: 48
Re: Still have bone pain after treatment, will it go away?
Thanks. Bone pain was one of the reasons I finally went to the ER. At that point, my hemoglobin was at 6.3, my M-spike 8.9 g/dL, and my bone marrow plasma cell percentage 80%. I was in bad shape. The bone pain was excruciating.
I didn't break any bones though. And the MRI last week showed my back was in good shape except degenerative disc disease in many discs. But the bones are good. I am MUCH better now, the pain is MUCH less and in less places.
There are however some spots that persist both on my spine and my ribs and shoulders. Just wondering how much longer until it goes away, or is it something I will have forever?
Chris
I didn't break any bones though. And the MRI last week showed my back was in good shape except degenerative disc disease in many discs. But the bones are good. I am MUCH better now, the pain is MUCH less and in less places.
There are however some spots that persist both on my spine and my ribs and shoulders. Just wondering how much longer until it goes away, or is it something I will have forever?
Chris
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ninja performance - Name: Chris Hill
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Self
- When were you/they diagnosed?: 08/04/2011
- Age at diagnosis: 43
Re: Still have bone pain after treatment, will it go away?
Chris,
Are you on Aredia or Zometa? Those drugs work to harden bones and heal lesions. I too have been on RVD, now going on 3 years, but have also been on Aredia for the same period. You might want to ask your oncologist about these two drugs.
ROn
Are you on Aredia or Zometa? Those drugs work to harden bones and heal lesions. I too have been on RVD, now going on 3 years, but have also been on Aredia for the same period. You might want to ask your oncologist about these two drugs.
ROn
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Ron Harvot - Name: Ron Harvot
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Myself
- When were you/they diagnosed?: Feb 2009
- Age at diagnosis: 56
Re: Still have bone pain after treatment, will it go away?
Chris-
I've been on Zometa for 3 years after developing a pathologic fracture of my arm. Once I started the Zometa, Revlimid, and dex, the bone pain began to diminish. Now I begin to have some achiness right around when I am due for my next infusion of Zometa. I have lesions everywhere and they have remained stable in the last 2 years.
If you aren't on either Zometa or Aredia to help to strengthen your bones, then I would suggest that you talk to your oncologist about it. Especially if you have lesions, no matter how stable they are at this point.
Nancy
I've been on Zometa for 3 years after developing a pathologic fracture of my arm. Once I started the Zometa, Revlimid, and dex, the bone pain began to diminish. Now I begin to have some achiness right around when I am due for my next infusion of Zometa. I have lesions everywhere and they have remained stable in the last 2 years.
If you aren't on either Zometa or Aredia to help to strengthen your bones, then I would suggest that you talk to your oncologist about it. Especially if you have lesions, no matter how stable they are at this point.
Nancy
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NStewart - Name: Nancy Stewart
- Who do you know with myeloma?: self
- When were you/they diagnosed?: 3/08
- Age at diagnosis: 60
Re: Still have bone pain after treatment, will it go away?
Thanks Nancy,
Since I will be going into stem cell transplant (SCT), my oncologist said she would not put me on it until afterwards. And I have not had any up to this point. And the possible side effects of Zometa scare me.
Chris
Since I will be going into stem cell transplant (SCT), my oncologist said she would not put me on it until afterwards. And I have not had any up to this point. And the possible side effects of Zometa scare me.
Chris
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ninja performance - Name: Chris Hill
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Self
- When were you/they diagnosed?: 08/04/2011
- Age at diagnosis: 43
Re: Still have bone pain after treatment, will it go away?
My bone pain was incredible prior to treatment. I also have severe arthritis, two artificial hips in my 40's, so for the longest time it was diagnosed as arthritis. Between an abscessed tooth that refused to heal and the pain, we started the process that found multiple myeloma.
I had three small lesions – shoulder, hip, and skull – but no other damage after testing. My pain subsided quite a bit after my numbers dropped from chemo. I'm now post autologous stem cell transplant (ASCT) and, with the added activity at work and home, my pain has returned a bit. I started bone juice again on Jan. 3, monthly. It was stopped for the ASCT as well.
It is hard to separate the pain between arthritis and multiple myeloma for me, but I manage without pain meds quite well. My most noticeable symptom is stiffness after a long drive. I'm a travelling salesman.
I've lived with serious joint pain for twenty years, but multiple myeloma bone pain was a whole new level. I despise opiates but was close to giving in. If possible, find a top-notch arthritis (they know a lot about chronic bone and joint pain) or pain specialist. As your numbers drop after the ASCT and treatment with bone juice, you have real hope of realizing relief.
I had three small lesions – shoulder, hip, and skull – but no other damage after testing. My pain subsided quite a bit after my numbers dropped from chemo. I'm now post autologous stem cell transplant (ASCT) and, with the added activity at work and home, my pain has returned a bit. I started bone juice again on Jan. 3, monthly. It was stopped for the ASCT as well.
It is hard to separate the pain between arthritis and multiple myeloma for me, but I manage without pain meds quite well. My most noticeable symptom is stiffness after a long drive. I'm a travelling salesman.
I've lived with serious joint pain for twenty years, but multiple myeloma bone pain was a whole new level. I despise opiates but was close to giving in. If possible, find a top-notch arthritis (they know a lot about chronic bone and joint pain) or pain specialist. As your numbers drop after the ASCT and treatment with bone juice, you have real hope of realizing relief.
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Canuck Bob - Name: Bob
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Myself
- When were you/they diagnosed?: Feb. 2011
- Age at diagnosis: 57
Re: Still have bone pain after treatment, will it go away?
Greetings from gray and cloudy Seattle,
For most myeloma patients, bone pain resolves when the multiple myeloma is brought into remission (good control). Unfortunately it can take many months for the pain to disappear. In bones that are constantly subjected to stress, like the spine and ribs, it can be easily 6 + months before pain is gone. In some patients the pain never completely goes away, but in nearly all it improves dramatically with treatment.
For most myeloma patients, bone pain resolves when the multiple myeloma is brought into remission (good control). Unfortunately it can take many months for the pain to disappear. In bones that are constantly subjected to stress, like the spine and ribs, it can be easily 6 + months before pain is gone. In some patients the pain never completely goes away, but in nearly all it improves dramatically with treatment.
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Dr. Edward Libby - Name: Edward Libby, M.D.
Beacon Medical Advisor
8 posts
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