One of the hardest for me was being sick for several years, no one could figure out what was wrong with me so all the while i was progressing, and was diagnosed well into this disease.
I've learned that i'm 'sensitive' to medications, and tend to suffer all the common side effects, and then also some of the rare side effects that they don't bother telling you about!
I'm doing well, in remission and med free. I declined maintenance since I get so sick on most meds I am enjoying my health at the moment free of medication for a few years.
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Less Woe and Misery
Thanks for your input Dr. Voorhees: It is comforting to hear that many patients do sail through therapy with few side effects....
As for maintenance, I do like the idea of an integrative approach (which might include drugs) but is directed to the entire body.
As I think about it, the last three years were particularly hard-driving and high-stress for me: inferior diet, too much travel, too many all-nighters, and a major decline in exercise, etc. -- and I cannot help wondering if the combined result was a trigger for symptomatic disease.....
Since then, I have taken a calmer approach to life, cutting out all sugars, coffee, highly processed grains and pasta, and dairy, geting enough sleep, and rebooting an exercise progam. I also take daily calcium and vitamin D supplements (my levels are on the low side of normal), along with 4-5 gms daily curcumin - -and I am quite optimistic that I can (perhaps) return to something like an MGUS-like state - if not an even better state - but, of course, with a vigilant eye....
I also believe that if I can reattain a healthy immune system - I am getting there -- perhaps one of the upcoming vaccine trials may be appropriate.....
Thx
As for maintenance, I do like the idea of an integrative approach (which might include drugs) but is directed to the entire body.
As I think about it, the last three years were particularly hard-driving and high-stress for me: inferior diet, too much travel, too many all-nighters, and a major decline in exercise, etc. -- and I cannot help wondering if the combined result was a trigger for symptomatic disease.....
Since then, I have taken a calmer approach to life, cutting out all sugars, coffee, highly processed grains and pasta, and dairy, geting enough sleep, and rebooting an exercise progam. I also take daily calcium and vitamin D supplements (my levels are on the low side of normal), along with 4-5 gms daily curcumin - -and I am quite optimistic that I can (perhaps) return to something like an MGUS-like state - if not an even better state - but, of course, with a vigilant eye....
I also believe that if I can reattain a healthy immune system - I am getting there -- perhaps one of the upcoming vaccine trials may be appropriate.....
Thx
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Average Joe
Re: Woe and Misery
Average Joe--interesting topic.
You post "cutting out all sugars, coffee, highly processed grains and pasta, and dairy, geting enough sleep, and rebooting an exercise program" caught my attention, since I often find myself thinking "what the heck, might as well enjoy the coffee and sweets...life is short, especially for those of us with multiple myeloma". And since it is a will power game, all it takes is a short period of no will power to really mess it all up!
When I was on Dex, I remember pulling off the highway without thinking. Next think I knew I was in the parking lot of of Jack in the Box eating onion rings. Every bite was so delicious. Wow...I can picture it now...me and my onion rings...ohhh...each crunchy bite. I remember thinking "I know I shouldn't be doing this, but the mental lift is so worth it"
But I do try and keep up the exercise. Although it is hard to get motivated when I feel tired and my feet hurt. Note to self--must improve diet. Maybe your post will be the encouragement I needed! Thanks.
You post "cutting out all sugars, coffee, highly processed grains and pasta, and dairy, geting enough sleep, and rebooting an exercise program" caught my attention, since I often find myself thinking "what the heck, might as well enjoy the coffee and sweets...life is short, especially for those of us with multiple myeloma". And since it is a will power game, all it takes is a short period of no will power to really mess it all up!
When I was on Dex, I remember pulling off the highway without thinking. Next think I knew I was in the parking lot of of Jack in the Box eating onion rings. Every bite was so delicious. Wow...I can picture it now...me and my onion rings...ohhh...each crunchy bite. I remember thinking "I know I shouldn't be doing this, but the mental lift is so worth it"
But I do try and keep up the exercise. Although it is hard to get motivated when I feel tired and my feet hurt. Note to self--must improve diet. Maybe your post will be the encouragement I needed! Thanks.
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stann
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