How Multiple Myeloma Affects Your Body

Multiple myeloma is a type of blood cancer that affects disease-fighting plasma cells. This condition and the treatment for it could cause complications. Some of those problems can be serious or even life-threatening, so it's important to know the signs.

Most people with multiple myeloma have anemia at some point. Anemia is when levels of hemoglobin in your blood drop too low. When this happens, hemoglobin cannot deliver oxygen throughout your body. You may feel weak, very tired, out of breath, and dizzy. Your doctor can test for anemia and prescribe treatments.

Multiple myeloma makes you much more likely to get infections. It may cause a drop in white blood cells that help you fight infections. Be on the lookout for signs of infection like fever, chills, sweats, muscle aches, cough, sore throat, and diarrhea.

Wash your hands often. Wash raw fruits and veggies before eating them. Clean and disinfect surfaces in your home. Stay away from people who are sick. Clean your cuts and scrapes. Get any vaccines your doctor recommends.

Multiple myeloma can damage or weaken your bones. You may develop bone pain, bone lesions, or osteoporosis. You may break bones even from minor injuries. Rapidly growing myeloma cells may form masses in your marrow and damage your bones around them.

Calcium and vitamin D supplements, as well as exercise, help bones stay stronger. Your doctor may prescribe drugs called bisphosphonates that slow bone loss. These treatments can help protect your bones from further damage caused by multiple myeloma.

Bone damage from multiple myeloma can lead to hypercalcemia, or a high level of calcium in your blood. When you have bone damage, calcium can leak from your bones into your bloodstream. Dangerously high levels of calcium can lead to a coma or heart attack. Seek emergency care if you have these signs of high calcium: appetite loss, extreme thirst, frequent need to pee, nausea, vomiting, confusion, and restlessness.

About half of people with multiple myeloma have kidney damage. If you have kidney damage, you may notice a drop in how much urine you make. Your blood work may show high levels of creatinine, a protein that healthy kidneys usually filter out of your blood.

Medications for multiple myeloma can cause gastrointestinal problems like constipation, diarrhea, nausea, or vomiting. If you have constipation or diarrhea, drink plenty of water to stay hydrated. Eat enough fiber to help you stay regular.

Some myeloma drugs raise your risk of dangerous blood clots. Clots in your leg veins can travel up to your lungs, which can be fatal. Seek emergency care if you have chest pain, coughing blood, shortness of breath, anxiety, or rapid heartbeat - signs of blood clots.

Some myeloma medications can damage your heart tissue. You can develop pulmonary hypertension, irregular heartbeat, heart failure, and other problems. If you already have heart problems before treatment, make sure your cardiologist is involved in your treatment plan.

About 30% of people with multiple myeloma have dental problems, including toothaches, loose teeth, gum problems, and bone lesions in the jaw. Some medications can damage the jawbone. Good oral hygiene can help lower your risk of jaw damage from treatment.