Some of the most common symptoms and complications you might experience include:
- Pain
- Myeloma bone disease
- Fatigue
- Recurring infection
- Kidney damage
- Peripheral neuropathy
Pain
The main cause of pain for myeloma patients is myeloma bone disease. Effective control and management of pain is an important aspect of myeloma treatment.
Myeloma bone disease
Myeloma bone disease occurs when myeloma cells in the bone marrow interfere with the way bone is maintained. Your middle or lower back, rib cage and hips are the areas most likely to be affected, causing pain this these areas. Myeloma bone disease can also cause bones to fracture more easily. All myeloma patients will be given treatment for bone disease, no matter how extensive the damage is.
Fatigue
Persistent fatigue, or an overwhelming tiredness, is common in myeloma. It may be due to the myeloma itself, or to a complication such as anaemia – a condition in which the amount of haemoglobin in the blood or the number of red blood cells is below the normal level, causing shortness of breath, weakness and tiredness. Fatigue may also occur as a side effect of treatment.
Recurring infection
Infections are common in myeloma patients because the myeloma and its treatments interfere with the immune system.
Kidney damage
The abnormal protein (paraprotein or light chains) produced in myeloma can damage the kidneys, as can some of its other complications, such as hypercalcaemia (a condition in which the level of calcium in the blood is too high). Some of the drugs used to treat myeloma can also sometimes cause kidney damage.
Peripheral neuropathy
Damage to the nerves that make up the peripheral nervous system – that’s the nerves outside the brain and spinal cord – is known as peripheral neuropathy. It can cause ‘pins and needles’, numbness, unusual sensations and/or increased sensitivity to touch in your hands and feet. This can be caused by the treatments for myeloma and also the myeloma itself.
