Managing pain and side effects is a big part of living with myeloma. Both the disease itself and its treatments can cause discomfort, but there are many ways to address them.
Common symptoms and side effects include:
- Bone pain and fractures — one of the most frequently discussed challenges
- Fatigue and anemia — low red Show Full Answer
Managing pain and side effects is a big part of living with myeloma. Both the disease itself and its treatments can cause discomfort, but there are many ways to address them.
Common symptoms and side effects include:
- Bone pain and fractures — one of the most frequently discussed challenges
- Fatigue and anemia — low red blood cell counts causing tiredness and shortness of breath
- Nerve pain (neuropathy) — tingling, numbness, or weakness in hands and feet
- Infections — myeloma and its treatments can weaken the immune system
- Nausea and vomiting — often linked to chemotherapy
- Sleep problems — caused by steroids, anxiety, hot flashes, or pain
- Blood clots — a known risk with certain myeloma treatments
- Kidney damage — myeloma can affect kidney function Pain management requires care and expertise. Over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medications like ibuprofen can actually worsen kidney problems, so they should only be used with clear medical guidance. For severe bone pain, doctors may prescribe opioids like codeine or morphine. Nerve pain may be treated with specific medications targeting neuropathy.
It's really important not to self-manage pain without medical supervision — there's both an art and a science to getting it right. Palliative (supportive) care is available at any stage and works alongside treatment to improve comfort and quality of life. It can include:
- Pain relief medications
- Bone-strengthening treatments
- Vaccines to reduce infection risk
- Blood clot prevention medication
- Nutritional and emotional support
- Counseling and mental health care
One MyMyelomaTeam member shared that palliative care "offers pain management and counseling," which made a real difference for them. Steroids like dexamethasone are commonly used in myeloma treatment and can help with symptoms, but they can also cause sleeplessness and hyperactivity. One MyMyelomaTeam member advised, "Always take steroids in the morning, or you can forget about sleeping at night!" — worth mentioning to your care team if this is an issue.
Always keep your healthcare team informed about any side effects. Most can be managed, and your team can adjust your plan to help you feel as well as possible.
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