[Ron Harvot]

Thin skin, multiple myeloma & multiple myeloma treatment

by Ron Harvot on Wed Mar 11, 2020 1:55 pm

I have noticed that my skin is very thin, in part due to age (67) but also due (I think) to the treatments I've received for my multiple myeloma. Today I had my second stress tear in my hand where I had to go in and get stitches. The first time was a year ago when I dropped my keys between my front seat and center console in my car. The space was tight and the skin on the top of my hand tore when I reached down. I had to get 6 stitches.

Today I was rushing to Starbucks to get coffee on my way into work and shut the door on my hand as I was exiting the car. Dumb, I know, but the result was a tear on the top of my hand. This time it 12 stitches. Before cancer neither of these accidents would have resulted in torn skin.

Does anyone know whether thin skin (or skin thinning) is a common side effect of either multiple myeloma, treatment for the disease, or both?

[Multibilly]

Re: Thin skin, multiple myeloma & multiple myeloma treatment

by Multibilly on Wed Mar 11, 2020 7:46 pm

Hi Ron,

It might be due to the dexamethasone you have been on. One of the potential side effects of oral dexamethasone is "thin fragile skin". See the Decadron (dexamethasone) prescribing information, "adverse reactions" section:

https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2019/011664s064lbl.pdf

This apparently is a side effect of prolonged use of oral steroids in general, not just dexamethasone.

The Mayo Clinic has some suggestions for strategies to deal with the side effect:

https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/healthy-aging/expert-answers/thin-skin/faq-20057753

[Ron Harvot]

Re: Thin skin, multiple myeloma & multiple myeloma treatment

by Ron Harvot on Sat Mar 14, 2020 2:25 pm

Thanks Multibilly,

I bought some retinol-based cream. I'll see if it helps. I have been on dex for 11 years. So I am sure that is the main culprit.

[Pepperink]

Re: Thin skin, multiple myeloma & multiple myeloma treatment

by Pepperink on Sun Mar 15, 2020 5:43 pm

Thank you, Multibilly, for the information concerning dexamethasone as it relates to thin skin.

And thank you Ron for bringing this subject up!

I have been dismayed at the frequent bruises and cuts I get on my forearms and hands (exacer­bated by clumsiness).

For the past two years I have been on a monthly infusion of dex. That was after a year on oral dex.

Like many of us "over 50," I wondered if it was old age. I do now believe it is dex.