Living with myeloma for 11 years is no small feat, and dealing with new, worsening back pain on top of everything else is really tough. Back pain is actually very common with myeloma and can have several causes, including bone changes, fractures in the spine, or even side effects from certain treatments.
The first and most Show Full Answer
Living with myeloma for 11 years is no small feat, and dealing with new, worsening back pain on top of everything else is really tough. Back pain is actually very common with myeloma and can have several causes, including bone changes, fractures in the spine, or even side effects from certain treatments.
The first and most important step is to tell your doctor about this pain right away, especially since it's getting worse. They'll want to find out exactly what's causing it before deciding on the best approach. Depending on what's causing the pain, there are several medical options your doctor might consider:
- Bone-building medications like bisphosphonates or denosumab to help protect bones
- Kyphoplasty — a minimally invasive procedure using bone cement to stabilize fractured vertebrae
- Radiation therapy to shrink tumors pressing on nerves or bones
- A back brace to help support and stabilize the spine
- Prescribed pain medications, including opioids for severe pain if needed It's really important not to reach for over-the-counter pain relievers like ibuprofen or aspirin without checking with your doctor first. These can interfere with myeloma treatments and may affect kidney health. Beyond medical treatments, complementary therapies can also help alongside your treatment plan:
- Acupuncture or acupressure
- Gentle yoga or meditation
- Physical therapy
- Medical massage
- Heating pads or ice packs for temporary relief
A MyMyelomaTeam member shared that physical therapy was life-changing: *"I cannot say enough good about PT. It gave me what I needed to walk again."*
Palliative care is another great option at any stage — it's a whole team focused on keeping you as comfortable as possible.
September 8
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