Unfortunately, it is not always possible to avoid stress. I know there are studies linking stress levels to the onset of cancer, and from what I understand opinions vary and there are no certainties about the influence of one on the other.
I wonder if any research has been done about the influence of stress specifically on relapse in multiple myeloma?
In fact I wonder if any studies exist about the factors leading to relapse? I suspect the answer is ‘no’, and that doctors would say that each case is different and unpredictable.
Has any research been conducted on this matter?
Forums
-
Annamaria - Name: Annamaria
- Who do you know with myeloma?: I am a patient
- When were you/they diagnosed?: April 2012
- Age at diagnosis: 58
Re: Stress and relapse
This is a subject in which I have some interest.
I do not know of any research, but I can tell you that I am currently being treated for my 4th relapse since diagnosis in 1996. It occurred to me some time ago that, approximately 6 months prior to each relapse I have had, I went through an episode of great stress (e.g., house move, job change and so on). As a consequence, I am convinced that stress does play a part in relapse.
I don't know how stress of this sort can be avoided and I guess we just have to deal with it the best way we can, and maybe I would have relapsed anyway. I just think it is a contributing factor.
I do not know of any research, but I can tell you that I am currently being treated for my 4th relapse since diagnosis in 1996. It occurred to me some time ago that, approximately 6 months prior to each relapse I have had, I went through an episode of great stress (e.g., house move, job change and so on). As a consequence, I am convinced that stress does play a part in relapse.
I don't know how stress of this sort can be avoided and I guess we just have to deal with it the best way we can, and maybe I would have relapsed anyway. I just think it is a contributing factor.
-
SusanMary - Name: Susan Brown
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Me
- When were you/they diagnosed?: Feb 1996
- Age at diagnosis: 47
Re: Stress and relapse
This is purely anecdotal. By far, my largest and most significant drop in my markers occurred after a blissful 1 month vacation in South America, where my only stress was trying to find a good a cup of coffee in the morning. I'm about to disappear again on a 1 month vacation and will be tested right after I return. It will be curious to see if I have a repeat performance.
-
Multibilly - Name: Multibilly
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Me
- When were you/they diagnosed?: Smoldering, Nov, 2012
Re: Stress and relapse
Stress, both acute and chronic, is associated with increased production of interleukin 6 (IL-6), which is a B cell / myeloma growth factor.
-
dnalex - Name: Alex N.
- Who do you know with myeloma?: mother
- When were you/they diagnosed?: 2007
- Age at diagnosis: 56
Re: Stress and relapse
Reading these comments which support my stress theory, I have to wonder why our doctors don't subscribe to this theory. Are they too scientific? While we rely on science to find us a cure for this dreadful beast, I feel that instinct and gut feeling plays a huge part in the management of multiple myeloma, and if our doctors cannot/will not get on board, then we have to go it alone and believe in ourselves. I think we know our bodies better than anyone. 
-
SusanMary - Name: Susan Brown
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Me
- When were you/they diagnosed?: Feb 1996
- Age at diagnosis: 47
Re: Stress and relapse
I will be very curious to see the results of this trial, which is attempting to start to answer the question of whether reducing stress can indeed impact disease progression in SMM and MGUS patients.
http://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT01955395
In the meantime, it sounds like a good idea to "chill" as much as possible
http://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT01955395
In the meantime, it sounds like a good idea to "chill" as much as possible
-
Multibilly - Name: Multibilly
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Me
- When were you/they diagnosed?: Smoldering, Nov, 2012
Re: Stress and relapse
I believe that one of the problems in finding a link will be in defining stress. What is stressful for one may not be for another.
An example might be in my fishing experience. I like to fish, but I also like to be on the water and outdoors. If my success is limited it doesn't bother me all that much. On the other hand, I've fished with people who were clearly stressed out if their success was limited.
This is probably good advice:
"In the meantime, it sounds like a good idea to "chill" as much as possible"
An example might be in my fishing experience. I like to fish, but I also like to be on the water and outdoors. If my success is limited it doesn't bother me all that much. On the other hand, I've fished with people who were clearly stressed out if their success was limited.
This is probably good advice:
"In the meantime, it sounds like a good idea to "chill" as much as possible"
-
Wayne K - Name: Wayne
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Myself, my sister who passed in '95
- When were you/they diagnosed?: 03/09
- Age at diagnosis: 70
Re: Stress and relapse
My wife and I are in our early 40's. She was diagnosed with leukemia (chronic) early 2013 and the same summer I was having a myeloma workup (M spike initially turned up 4 yrs ago , 2013 was my 1st followup) -
Last summer my plasma cell % was at 5% per BMB and recent BMB shows an increase to 10% and also this time clonal cells (91% aberrant) were found as well as Bence Jones Kappa in urine (immunofixation, not in UPEP) and protein in urine above avg for the 1st time at 162 mg - 24 hr urine. My M spike has remained the same IGg .400 present g/dL .
Last summer my wife's psych stressed to me that stress will speed up the onset of any activity tied to my MGUS and the past year has been crazy stressful due to my wife's cancer (stem cell transplant workup / insurance approval, she's switched TKI chemos) - mainly because she's always ill due to sides from the TKI chemo and a shell of her former self, which is tough to see / take in.
Then add in work and the new medical bills and loss of her income and now me with smoldering myeloma, it's all a little crazy situation to fall into within a 1 or so for us .
Also with my job I'm always on call and work most weekends, which isn't helping, but I can't exactly switch jobs as I support us including insurance which does cover our major medical expenses pretty well (though we still spend a ton in co-pay's the total price for our care is astronomical, her TKI chemo alone is easily $10k monthly and she must be on such for the rest of her life) .
I need to somehow get to decreasing stress - exercising will help and getting better sleep but working late nights / on call and weekends sort of makes that tough.
I totally agree that stress can make things worse and I hope to lessen stress and see my situation remain steady and not continue to slip (PC count better remain stable, ha).
Last summer my plasma cell % was at 5% per BMB and recent BMB shows an increase to 10% and also this time clonal cells (91% aberrant) were found as well as Bence Jones Kappa in urine (immunofixation, not in UPEP) and protein in urine above avg for the 1st time at 162 mg - 24 hr urine. My M spike has remained the same IGg .400 present g/dL .
Last summer my wife's psych stressed to me that stress will speed up the onset of any activity tied to my MGUS and the past year has been crazy stressful due to my wife's cancer (stem cell transplant workup / insurance approval, she's switched TKI chemos) - mainly because she's always ill due to sides from the TKI chemo and a shell of her former self, which is tough to see / take in.
Then add in work and the new medical bills and loss of her income and now me with smoldering myeloma, it's all a little crazy situation to fall into within a 1 or so for us .
Also with my job I'm always on call and work most weekends, which isn't helping, but I can't exactly switch jobs as I support us including insurance which does cover our major medical expenses pretty well (though we still spend a ton in co-pay's the total price for our care is astronomical, her TKI chemo alone is easily $10k monthly and she must be on such for the rest of her life) .
I need to somehow get to decreasing stress - exercising will help and getting better sleep but working late nights / on call and weekends sort of makes that tough.
I totally agree that stress can make things worse and I hope to lessen stress and see my situation remain steady and not continue to slip (PC count better remain stable, ha).
-
pinball - Who do you know with myeloma?: Myself
- When were you/they diagnosed?: 2010 MGUS, 2014 Smoldering
- Age at diagnosis: 39
Re: Stress and relapse
Hi Pinball - Sorry hear of all the stress you and your wife are going through. Hope you find a realistic way to reduce stress.
I agree with you that stress has a negative impact on cancers and precancerous conditions. A few years ago, my mom was diagnosed with CLL too. Her WBCs remained fairly stable with no symptoms (no anemia, etc), but recently her WBC count jumped to 130,000K and the first comment from the oncologist was 'what changed in your life and are you experiencing stress?' Yes, she has had stress. The higher WBCs indicated it is time to start treatment (obinutuzumab).
I was diagnosed with MGUS fall of 2011 and have been following the study on reducing stress for smoldering myeloma / MGUS progression.
I agree with you that stress has a negative impact on cancers and precancerous conditions. A few years ago, my mom was diagnosed with CLL too. Her WBCs remained fairly stable with no symptoms (no anemia, etc), but recently her WBC count jumped to 130,000K and the first comment from the oncologist was 'what changed in your life and are you experiencing stress?' Yes, she has had stress. The higher WBCs indicated it is time to start treatment (obinutuzumab).
I was diagnosed with MGUS fall of 2011 and have been following the study on reducing stress for smoldering myeloma / MGUS progression.
-
Dianem
Re: Stress and relapse
Multibilly - I recently completed the mind/body clinical trial for smoldering myeloma patients that you posted a link to in your comment. I'll be interested to hear the results of the trial too. I loved the program, and I am continuing to use the relaxation strategies and other info I learned as much as I can. I agree... we all need to "chill"
Pinball - I'm so sorry to hear what you are going through. Please try as best you can to take care of yourself too. Not easy, I'm sure. Hang in there.
Pinball - I'm so sorry to hear what you are going through. Please try as best you can to take care of yourself too. Not easy, I'm sure. Hang in there.
-
elizabeth104 - Name: Elizabeth
- When were you/they diagnosed?: 25 MGUS, 28 SMM
15 posts
• Page 1 of 2 • 1, 2