Yes! For many of us it does. It's not entirely understood. Most of us have to be wary and protect ourselves from infections the best we can. Some people's immunoglobins do recover to normal. My unaffected immunoglobins we low at diagnosis and have remained low. Doctors are more liberal with IVIG infusions now.
October 20
Yes, immunity can still be a concern even when myeloma is in remission. Remission means the cancer is under control, not necessarily gone — and the treatments used to get there can continue to affect how well the immune system functions. Here are some key things to keep in mind about immunity during remission:
- Maintenance Show Full Answer
Yes, immunity can still be a concern even when myeloma is in remission. Remission means the cancer is under control, not necessarily gone — and the treatments used to get there can continue to affect how well the immune system functions. Here are some key things to keep in mind about immunity during remission:
- Maintenance therapy (low-dose ongoing treatment) can suppress the immune system even while keeping myeloma at bay
- Steroids or immunosuppressive drugs, which may still be part of a maintenance plan, can lower immune defenses
- Vaccinations like COVID-19 boosters may be recommended, but the immune response to vaccines can be weaker — a third dose has been shown to help improve antibody response in people with myeloma
- Regular monitoring is important to catch any signs of relapse or infection early
It's always worth having an open conversation with the care team about what immune-related precautions make sense during remission. They can tailor advice based on the specific treatment plan in place.
October 19
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