Multiple Myeloma and Side Effects: Where Do I Go From Here?

By alesandrabevilacqua

1 min read

Started Multiple Myeloma treatment late 2018, and in remission since early 2019. You would think I should be relieved and able to resume life as before the diagnosis, but it's not happening. Side effects are really hanging on; fatigue, brain fog, having to use a walking staff because my balance is off, and I just seem to have lost My Normal.

I'll be 75 in August, and it seems my age is a good excuse for my health team to fall back on; maybe elder depression, or ... arthritis. I guess anything is possible huh? Anyway, MM will always be lurking, so I'm doing my best to avoid a relapse which is usually a given... but I'm not accepting that. It sure is difficult to push this monster aside and carry on as before... that phone call. Giving in is not an option. I love LIFE!

A lot of rambling; I apologize.

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Ronni Gordon Contributor
<inline-mention username="alesandrabevilacqua" user-id="3637570"/> You're not rambling and you don't need to apologize! This is one place where you can really be you. 
1. Ronni Gordon Contributor
 <inline-mention username="alesandrabevilacqua" user-id="3637570"/> I hit send before I finished my comment. I was just wondering if you have talked to a trusted healthcare person about your depression. If your team isn't receptive, possibly you could find someone in the community. It sounds like the person you talked to kind of brushed it off, but it's serious and fixable! Take care, Ronni (blood-cancer.com team member)
SurvivnMyeloma Member
Keep that positivity I ended up losing my whole right leg from Myeloma and it put me in the darkest most scariest time of my life I started meditating and got out of it thank goodness!! Hang in there my friend!!!
1. Yolanda Brunson-Sarrabo Moderator & Contributor
 <inline-mention username="SurvivnMyeloma" user-id="3651374"/> Thank you for sharing your experience. I'm sorry to hear that you've experienced this. The many stories and experiences are always appreciated because many can relate in one way or another. Wishing you the very best!
CommunityMember960f2a Member
Hang in ♥! Im a 55 year Female on my 2nd line of induction therapy . Lab's have been showing success clinically .However,experiencing exteme neuropathy,pelvis and hip lesions ;spine and, femur pain oh and burning 🔥 skin.. ughSorryy.Crossing my fingers.., 🙏, .Almost ready for stem cell , or on the fence about car-t ? Agree on reaching out to maybe a professional on staff social worker, who might have some mental health resources in their wheelhouse. Best of luck hang in there ers. Laura
1. Daniel Malito Moderator
 <inline-mention username="CommunityMember960f2a" user-id="8675417"/> I had neuropathy with my treatment also. Fortunately it eventually went away but it was certainly annoying at the time. Glad to hear that the treatment seems to be working, though, that's always a plus even though the side effects aren't fantastic! Keep on keepin' on, DPM