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Real members of MyMyelomaTeam have posted questions and answers that support our community guidelines, and should not be taken as medical advice. Looking for the latest medically reviewed content by doctors and experts? Visit our resource section.

Lower Heart rate or Daytime Sleepiness?

A MyMyelomaTeam Member asked a question 💭
want to share a little update about my journey. Recently I went for a CT scan of my lungs, and today the doctor explained the results to me. They found some changes in my left lung compared to before. There are areas where the lung lining looks thicker, and a small mass in the lower part of the left lung has grown a bit since my last scan. Because of these changes, the doctors want to do another test called a bronchoscopy, where they use a small camera to look inside the airways and take samples to understand it better. Hearing all this was not easy for me. It made me emotional because it feels like one thing after another. But at the same time, I am thankful that I am already under medical care and the doctors are taking steps to find out exactly what

Has anyone else on maintenance therapy dealt with a lower resting heart rate or severe daytime sleepiness, and how did your doctors handle it?

August 4
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Answer Summary

Members responded to a question about managing lower heart rate and daytime sleepiness during cancer maintenance therapy, with many sharing... Read more

Members responded to a question about managing lower heart rate and daytime sleepiness during cancer maintenance therapy, with many sharing that fatigue and sleepiness after taking multiple medications are very common challenges. Several members described helpful strategies including propping up with pillows for breathing difficulties, pacing activity with rest breaks, doing breathing exercises, and adjusting medication timing with guidance from a pharmacy nurse. A recurring theme was the importance of openly discussing new symptoms with doctors at every appointment, and members offered each other warm encouragement and emotional support throughout the conversation.

A MyMyelomaTeam Member

Mohammad,
When my heart was having troubles, I was sleeping most of the day. I wasn’t using a C-Pap machine then and would stop breathing. The lungs affect the heart. The heart affects the lungs. I hope the medicine they give you will help.
Paula🌹

August 5
A MyMyelomaTeam Member

SalliKuncewicz

I also done the bronchoscopy/endoscopy after my Pat scan
However, doctors perform my surgeries without general anesthesia by putting me to sleep ,instead for local anesthesia to numb only the specific surgical area while the l stays completely awake.
surgeries without general anesthesia
And the Doctors also spray my nose or throat with a special numbing medicine so do not feel the tube as I do not have much.Breathing on my own. And the doctor wants me to listen to his discussion with the nurse so I can understand what is happening and just told me not to move even an inch.
Before I did my MRI brain scanning
Thank you

Mohammad

August 4
A MyMyelomaTeam Member

Mohammad, You may want to schedule taking your medications when you know you will be awake. Between 2 and 3 PM, I know I might be napping.
Paula🌹

August 8
A MyMyelomaTeam Member

Mohammad,
When I had Covid and could not breathe if I laid down, I slept in a recliner, but did not recline the whole way. Now, if I am having breathing issues, even though I use a C-Pap machine, I prop myself up with pillows to sleep. It works well. When my mother-in-law's lungs were filling with fluid, when she was dying, we propped her up with pillows.
Paula🌹

August 7
A MyMyelomaTeam Member

My initial diagnosis was picked up by accident. I had a very sharp pain in my back just below my right shoulder and also in my right rib. I also had pain in my left hip. I visited my doctor 3 times regarding my pain in the back and he thought it was just something that needed physiotherapy. On my 3rd visit I saw a locum. I live in the UK and a locum is a stand in doctor ad he sent me for an x-ray. I had a soft tissue mass in my right lung which he suspected could be lung cancer. I saw a lung cancer consultant, but had no other lung cancer symptoms. I then had a biopsy which diagnosed myeloma. This is, apparently, an unusual presentation for myeloma and I finished up having radiotherapy on both my lung and my hip, which was also caused by the myeloma. This was in 2018 and I am now 81 and on 4th line maintenance tratment.

August 5

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