Is running or jogging safe during myeloma maintenance therapy? It's a great question, and staying active during maintenance therapy can offer real benefits — but there are some important things to consider first.
Regular exercise during myeloma treatment has been shown to help with:
- Reducing fatigue
- Improving mood and Show Full Answer
Is running or jogging safe during myeloma maintenance therapy? It's a great question, and staying active during maintenance therapy can offer real benefits — but there are some important things to consider first.
Regular exercise during myeloma treatment has been shown to help with:
- Reducing fatigue
- Improving mood and quality of life
- Building lower body strength
- Supporting recovery, especially around stem cell transplants However, myeloma can increase the risk of bone fractures, which means high-impact activities like running or jogging may carry more risk than they would for others. It's really important to check with your oncologist before lacing up those running shoes.
If running feels too risky, lower-impact alternatives that MyMyelomaTeam members enjoy include:
- Walking (outdoors or on a treadmill)
- Water-based exercise or water walking
- Biking or stationary cycling
- Yoga
- Silver Sneakers-style chair or standing exercises Asking for a referral to a physical therapist is a smart move — they can build a plan tailored specifically to your current physical capabilities and keep things safe. As one MyMyelomaTeam member put it, their therapist was "very understanding and compassionate" in matching exercise to what they could actually do.
Listen to your body, and on the harder days, don't push through — rest is part of the plan too.
August 9
Jeff303… I’m currently being treated for multiple myeloma and I exercise regularly, but I’d be cautious about assuming running is safe for everyone with myeloma. The treatment itself isn’t necessarily the limiting factor — the condition of your bones can be. Myeloma can weaken bones and cause lesions or compression fractures, so I’d specifically ask your myeloma team whether they’re comfortable with the impact from running. I was cleared to use my treadmill, but I stick with walking and hiking rather than running. Staying active is great; just make sure the exercise fits the condition of your bones.
August 11
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