How to Feel Better During Multiple Myeloma Treatment
- Supportive or palliative care treats multiple myeloma symptoms such as bone pain, nausea, and anemia.
- It can include medication, relaxation techniques, physical therapy, and nutrition advice.
- Let your doctor know if you have any symptoms or side effects from multiple myeloma treatment.
RELATED: Making a Multiple Myeloma Treatment Plan
Read MoreWhat Is Supportive Care?
Your doctor might use the term “supportive care” to describe treatments that address multiple myeloma symptoms. “Palliative care” and “complementary care” are other names for these therapies. Supportive care includes treatments such as:- Medication to relieve your symptoms
- Relaxation techniques such as meditation or yoga
- Massage
- Acupuncture
- Physical therapy
- Nutritional advice
- Exercise programs
- Counseling to support your mental health
- Spiritual guidance
RELATED: Treating Side Effects from Multiple Myeloma Induction Therapy
Here’s a look at some of the more common multiple myeloma side effects, and what treatments you might try to manage them.
Bone Pain
As multiple myeloma grows in bones, it creates holes. Eventually the bones can become so fragile that they break. When bones in your spine fracture, they can collapse and press on a nerve. Bone pain can be intense, especially when you move the affected area.
Bisphosphonate drugs such as zolendronic acid (brand name: Zometa) and pamidronate (brand name: Aredia) slow the breakdown of bone to reduce damage and prevent painful fractures. Low-dose radiation therapy can lessen bone pain once it occurs.
RELATED: Diagnosing and Treating a Multiple Myeloma Relapse
Making sure that your pain is well managed can make a big difference to your quality of life. Getting it under control might require some extra help. “It’s always useful, if patients have severe pain, to make sure that they see a pain management specialist,” Dr. Madan says. “Patients may require narcotics for appropriate pain control.”
Nausea and Vomiting
Kidney damage from multiple myeloma, and medications such as selinexor (brand name: Xpovio) that you take to treat it can cause nausea and vomiting. To ease these symptoms, “We have to prescribe appropriate anti-nausea medications, such as Zofran,” Dr. Madan says. “Sometimes other drugs, such as olanzapine may be required, especially if somebody is on selinexor.”
Anemia
Myeloma cells cause anemia when they crowd out the healthy red blood cells in bone marrow. Without red blood cells, which help transport oxygen to your tissues, you’ll feel tired and short of breath. Doctors treat anemia with growth hormones like erythropoietin (brand names: Procrit, Epogen) or supplements of iron, folate, or vitamin B12.
Infections
Multiple myeloma lowers your white blood cell count, which reduces your immune system’s ability to fight off germs. As a result, you may come down with more upper respiratory and lung infections than usual. Make sure that you’re up to date on your vaccinations to lower the odds of getting sick. You might also ask your doctor about taking an antibiotic as a preventive measure.
Hypercalcemia
Your body stores calcium in your bones. When bones are damaged by cancer, they release calcium into the bloodstream. Excess calcium in your blood, called hypercalcemia, causes symptoms such as fatigue and low energy. Drinking extra fluids and taking bisphosphonates treats excess calcium.
It’s important if you do have any symptoms or side effects to report them to your doctor right away. Letting these problems go unchecked could erode your quality of life and sap your strength at a time when you need it to get through treatment.
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