Quality of life is my top priority even if it shortens my life. Fortunately I am 2.5 years in stage 3 MM and have been asymptomatic the entire time now in remission. Quality of life has not changed at all for me.
October 9
Living with myeloma already brings its challenges, and adding teclistamab (Tecvayli) to the mix means navigating some real day-to-day hurdles. The good news is that many people find daily activities remain possible during treatment — but it's worth knowing what to expect.
Here are some common quality-of-life challenges Show Full Answer
Living with myeloma already brings its challenges, and adding teclistamab (Tecvayli) to the mix means navigating some real day-to-day hurdles. The good news is that many people find daily activities remain possible during treatment — but it's worth knowing what to expect.
Here are some common quality-of-life challenges reported by MyMyelomaTeam members on teclistamab:
- Fatigue — can be more intense than normal tiredness and may not improve with sleep
- Infection risk — colds, pneumonia, and other infections are a significant concern due to lowered immunity
- Headaches and fever — especially around dosing times
- Injection-site reactions — soreness or irritation where the shot is given
- Dropping white blood cell counts — requiring regular monitoring The early phase of treatment also requires staying in or near a hospital for 48 hours after the first "step-up" doses, which can disrupt normal routines. Cytokine release syndrome (CRS) — which can cause fever, chills, or breathing difficulties — is most likely during these early doses.
Some practical tips that may help day-to-day:
- Schedule demanding tasks for when energy levels are highest
- Break big tasks into smaller steps to avoid overdoing it
- Stay in close contact with your care team about fatigue, fever, or any new symptoms
- Report severe or sudden worsening of fatigue, especially alongside fever or shortness of breath
On the positive side, many people find that dosing becomes less frequent over time, and myeloma markers can drop quickly — sometimes within weeks. That progress can make the challenges feel more manageable.
October 7
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