Hi Donnie,
Given the additional information you provided, especially about the possible degenerative bone disease, I should probably modify my advice slightly.
Before you start running, you should check with your orthopedist and/or oncologist to make sure they are OK with it. (You probably would have done that anyway, but I figured I should mention it to you.)
Best wishes to you. Hope you're back on the road again soon.
Mike
Forums
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mikeb - Name: mikeb
- Who do you know with myeloma?: self
- When were you/they diagnosed?: 2009 (MGUS at that time)
- Age at diagnosis: 55
Re: Should I start running again for exercise?
I have recently been diagnosed with multiple myeloma at age 60 and am just undergoing treatment. The subject of running is dear to my heart. I have completed 21 marathons and had to DNF (did not finish) on my 22nd marathon just 2 months ago.
Of course, surviving is my first goal, but being able to return to running is important to me. I had no idea during my last race that I had a broken rib and three compressed discs in my mid back. I made it as far as 17 km but couldn't take the pain of back spasms.
I am encouraged by some of the advice here but also cautious of being able to run pain free or with reasonable pain tolerance.
Look forward to further discussions and will report on my own progress if things work out favourably for me. Or when they do.
Colin
Of course, surviving is my first goal, but being able to return to running is important to me. I had no idea during my last race that I had a broken rib and three compressed discs in my mid back. I made it as far as 17 km but couldn't take the pain of back spasms.
I am encouraged by some of the advice here but also cautious of being able to run pain free or with reasonable pain tolerance.
Look forward to further discussions and will report on my own progress if things work out favourably for me. Or when they do.
Colin
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Colin - Name: Colin Rice
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Myself
- When were you/they diagnosed?: November 2016
- Age at diagnosis: 60
Re: Should I start running again for exercise?
Hi Colin,
Sorry to hear that you've recently been diagnosed withulriple myeloma.
But as you can see from posts in this thread, a myeloma diagnosis does not necessarily mean the end to your running career. Just talk it over with your doctor to make sure they think your bones can handle it.
I'm impressed that you made it 17K in your marathon shortly before diagnosis. Once you get through the early phases of treatment, you should be feeling a lot better.
Best wishes to you. Please do keep us posted on how things go. I'm looking forward to hearing about your next marathon!
Mike
Sorry to hear that you've recently been diagnosed withulriple myeloma.
But as you can see from posts in this thread, a myeloma diagnosis does not necessarily mean the end to your running career. Just talk it over with your doctor to make sure they think your bones can handle it.
I'm impressed that you made it 17K in your marathon shortly before diagnosis. Once you get through the early phases of treatment, you should be feeling a lot better.
Best wishes to you. Please do keep us posted on how things go. I'm looking forward to hearing about your next marathon!
Mike
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mikeb - Name: mikeb
- Who do you know with myeloma?: self
- When were you/they diagnosed?: 2009 (MGUS at that time)
- Age at diagnosis: 55
Re: Should I start running again for exercise?
Hi everyone,
I wanted to share my experience about running. I hope it is not discouraging to anyone. I enjoyed running my whole life, and I can relate to anyone wanting to continue running after a multiple myeloma diagnosis.
In May of 2013, I fractured my T12 vertebra while running; I didn't fall or do anything unusual to cause the fracture. I thought I had just pulled a muscle, and it took a long time to find out what I had done. In September of the same year, I fractured L5, I think during riding bike. I still didn't have my multiple myeloma diagnosis. In November of 2015, I fractured two more vertebrae with just a sneeze. I had kyphoplasty on two vertebrae, after which I fractured more, likely from the weight of the material from the kyphoplasty. I lost 5 inches of height altogether. Finally, in January 2016, after seeing five doctors, I received my diagnosis. I was 57, now 58.
I have not attempted to run since the first fracture. I have been on Zometa to stabilize my bones, along with Revlimid, Velcade, and dexamethasone for 10 cycles; Cytoxan was added about halfway through. I am responding but have not reached remission. An autologous stem cell transplant is planned for March 2017. I have stage 3 kappa light chain myeloma with 1q21 gain.
I am happy for those who do not have such bone involvement and are able to continue running, and I strongly believe that running is great for strengthening the bones. I am just adding my word of caution for those who have bone lesions or loss.
My best to all,
Shirley
I wanted to share my experience about running. I hope it is not discouraging to anyone. I enjoyed running my whole life, and I can relate to anyone wanting to continue running after a multiple myeloma diagnosis.
In May of 2013, I fractured my T12 vertebra while running; I didn't fall or do anything unusual to cause the fracture. I thought I had just pulled a muscle, and it took a long time to find out what I had done. In September of the same year, I fractured L5, I think during riding bike. I still didn't have my multiple myeloma diagnosis. In November of 2015, I fractured two more vertebrae with just a sneeze. I had kyphoplasty on two vertebrae, after which I fractured more, likely from the weight of the material from the kyphoplasty. I lost 5 inches of height altogether. Finally, in January 2016, after seeing five doctors, I received my diagnosis. I was 57, now 58.
I have not attempted to run since the first fracture. I have been on Zometa to stabilize my bones, along with Revlimid, Velcade, and dexamethasone for 10 cycles; Cytoxan was added about halfway through. I am responding but have not reached remission. An autologous stem cell transplant is planned for March 2017. I have stage 3 kappa light chain myeloma with 1q21 gain.
I am happy for those who do not have such bone involvement and are able to continue running, and I strongly believe that running is great for strengthening the bones. I am just adding my word of caution for those who have bone lesions or loss.
My best to all,
Shirley
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Shirley M - Name: Shirley M
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Myself
- When were you/they diagnosed?: January 2016
- Age at diagnosis: 57
Re: Should I start running again for exercise?
I enjoyed jogging too, although I wouldn't call it running since I was never really speedy. But long distance jogging for 10 km or more was an accomplishment for me, and I managed two half marathons after age 50.
However, I actually stopped jogging after needing physiotherapy for painful knees, a year or two ahead of my myeloma diagnosis. The phylo's question for me was, did I want to continue running and have even worse knee pain, or slow down. Since I always enjoyed hiking, and wanted to do that well into the future, I thought I would stop jogging.
Then, after having several vertebral fractures in 2009, I could barely walk for awhile because of the pain! I am glad to relate that now I can walk for several kms and really enjoy outdoor walking. For quite a few years, I was also fearful of falling and re-injuring myself, but fortunately that has not happened.
The combination of being treated successfully for the myeloma, plus the bisphosphonate treatments, helped me to get back on my feet again!
However, I actually stopped jogging after needing physiotherapy for painful knees, a year or two ahead of my myeloma diagnosis. The phylo's question for me was, did I want to continue running and have even worse knee pain, or slow down. Since I always enjoyed hiking, and wanted to do that well into the future, I thought I would stop jogging.
Then, after having several vertebral fractures in 2009, I could barely walk for awhile because of the pain! I am glad to relate that now I can walk for several kms and really enjoy outdoor walking. For quite a few years, I was also fearful of falling and re-injuring myself, but fortunately that has not happened.
The combination of being treated successfully for the myeloma, plus the bisphosphonate treatments, helped me to get back on my feet again!
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Nancy Shamanna - Name: Nancy Shamanna
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Self and others too
- When were you/they diagnosed?: July 2009
Re: Should I start running again for exercise?
Hi Nancy,
I was jogging, not running, as well. I loved long distances because that's when I solved many of my problems, and jogging was an antidepressant for me. I did two half-marathons too but well before the age of fifty.
I am glad that you are back on your feet again and enjoying walking! Vertebral fractures are difficult to get through, but when you do, you really appreciate walking. It's wonderful that your myeloma treatment is successful! May it continue for a long, long time.
Shirley
I was jogging, not running, as well. I loved long distances because that's when I solved many of my problems, and jogging was an antidepressant for me. I did two half-marathons too but well before the age of fifty.
I am glad that you are back on your feet again and enjoying walking! Vertebral fractures are difficult to get through, but when you do, you really appreciate walking. It's wonderful that your myeloma treatment is successful! May it continue for a long, long time.
Shirley
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Shirley M - Name: Shirley M
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Myself
- When were you/they diagnosed?: January 2016
- Age at diagnosis: 57
Re: Should I start running again for exercise?
Thanks Shirley, I hope that your fractures heal up well! I am sure that you would miss running, but after awhile, I found that just being outdoors walking is great too. (For the first few months, I went walking with the help of a walker.) I do see more nature this way, birds, rabbits, even deer or coyotes sometimes! I can listen to music also, which is relaxing. Best wishes for the holiday season to you and all readers.
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Nancy Shamanna - Name: Nancy Shamanna
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Self and others too
- When were you/they diagnosed?: July 2009
Re: Should I start running again for exercise?
Thanks for the advice and kind words, Mikeb. I will be careful not to be too anxious as far as running goes. I suspect I have a long way to go before I can try any. Satisfied now with walking and, on dry days, with some light bike riding on my touring bicycle.
So much to learn yet about multiple myeloma and I am soaking up information on this forum like a sponge.
Cheers,
Colin
So much to learn yet about multiple myeloma and I am soaking up information on this forum like a sponge.
Cheers,
Colin
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Colin - Name: Colin Rice
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Myself
- When were you/they diagnosed?: November 2016
- Age at diagnosis: 60
Re: Should I start running again for exercise?
I have completed 3 months of my cyclophosphamide, Velcade, and dexamethasone (CyBorD) induction therapy and will continue a few more cycles before my autologous stem cell transplant (ASCT). I recently started a running / walking program, whereby I warm up with a 5-minute walk and then run for 3 to 4 minutes with 2-minute walk breaks for 20 to 30 minutes, and then do a 10-minute cool down walk. It is much less than I used to do, but all things considered, I think it is wonderful to be able to get out there and run again. I am planning to be patient and not expand this much for several months as I am still short of breath and aware of back pain.
There is a sawdust trail through a local forest in close proximity to my house and it is just soft enough to keep me from hurting myself. Anyway, all is good so far. Can't wait for the weather to improve to add more cycling into the regimen.
There is a sawdust trail through a local forest in close proximity to my house and it is just soft enough to keep me from hurting myself. Anyway, all is good so far. Can't wait for the weather to improve to add more cycling into the regimen.
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Colin - Name: Colin Rice
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Myself
- When were you/they diagnosed?: November 2016
- Age at diagnosis: 60
Re: Should I start running again for exercise?
Colin,
Keep it up. It's wise to be cautious. Remember the mantra: live to fight (exercise) another day by being smart.
Keep it up. It's wise to be cautious. Remember the mantra: live to fight (exercise) another day by being smart.
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goldmine848 - Name: Andrew
- When were you/they diagnosed?: June 2013
- Age at diagnosis: 60
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