Symptoms of Myeloma
During the early stages of myeloma, there may be no symptoms. Often, patients first go to their doctor because of vague symptoms like fatigue, recurrent infections or back pain – which they may mistakenly believe to simply be signs that they are "getting older."
Most of the symptoms and complications of myeloma result from the excessively high number of plasma cells in the bone marrow and the presence of M-protein (paraprotein) in the blood or urine.
| Common Symptoms of Myeloma | |
|---|---|
|
Pain |
|
| Fatigue |
Fatigue can be due to:
|
| Anemia |
Excessively large number of abnormal plasma cells can decrease the production of red blood cells in the bone marrow and lead to anemia. |
| Recurrent Infections & Cold Sores | Overcrowding in the bone marrow interferes with the production of healthy infection-fighting cells, reducing the ability of the immune system to fight off infections and illnesses. |
|
Tiredness Accompanied by Other Symptoms |
The breakdown of bone caused by myeloma causes excess calcium to accumulate in the blood (a condition known as "hypercalcemia"), which can lead to a number of different symptoms such as:
|
| Kidney Problems |
Kidney damage can occur as a result of:
|
Not all people with myeloma will have all (or even any) of the above symptoms and complications
These symptoms may not even be due to myeloma – they may be related to other health problems that cause the same symptoms. That's why it's important for anyone experiencing these (or any other) symptoms to consult with a medical professional, so that any problem can be diagnosed – and treated – as early as possible.
For more information, download the Multiple Myeloma Patient Handbook
Designed to provide educational support to patients, caregivers, families, and friends, this handbook gives accurate, reliable, and clear information on myeloma. Topics cover its causes and effects, how it is diagnosed and the treatment options available in Canada.