In my March column, I wrote about start­ing a new chapter in my multiple myeloma book – maintenance therapy.

I started out with 10 mg of Revlimid (lenalidomide) per day in a 21-day cycle, without dexa­metha­sone (Decadron). I very much welcomed the elimination of dexa­metha­sone, as I experienced wild mood swings and serious insomnia during induction therapy. The fact that the neurop­athy I suffered from Revlimid during in­duction therapy (15 mg per day, 21-day cycle) was toler­able made me opti­mistic that good things were in store for …

Multiple myeloma has a garden variety of symptoms, ranging from bone pain to anemia. The various treatments for myeloma come with a broad assortment of side effects, ranging from neuropathy to neutropenia. Let’s face it: there’s a veritable smorgasbord of myeloma symptoms and side effects to sample every day in Cancerland.

My omnipresent symptom is fatigue. It was a bellwether when I was first diagnosed in 2004 and the canary in the mineshaft this summer when I relapsed.

My fatigue can be a showstopper. My fatigue can be a quiet, polite acquaintance. …

A recent study found that fatigue in multiple myeloma patients is associated with sleep and mood disturbances, reduced abilities to complete simple physical activities, and elevated levels of physical pain.

The study also finds, however, that pain is not as directly linked to fatigue as sleep, the ability to carry out physical activity, and, especially, mood disturbances. 

Instead, pain's impact on fatigue may be indirect, through its influence on sleep, mood, or overall physical condition.

Based on their findings, the study authors conclude that physicians need to work harder with patients to control the forces that lead to patient fatigue.  The authors note, for example, that even limited amounts …