Side effects
While modern therapy for myeloma is often very tolerable, there are a number of side unwanted side effects that can occur. Each individual’s experience with side effects will be different. The physicians and nurses are experts in monitoring and treating any side effects which may arise and will provide patients with education as to which side effects may occur before your treatment begins. Sometimes additional medication will be prescribed to be taken prophylactically, as a proactive measure to prevent side effects from occurring.
Common side effects myeloma patients experience and ways to manage them include:
Infections
Multiple myeloma is a malignancy involving a component of the immune system. Therapies directed at myeloma can suppress the immune system, which leaves patients more vulnerable to infections. Medications are sometimes given to prevent common infections that may occur during chemotherapy, such as antibiotics, or to raise the number of white blood cells if they have fallen too low to provide adequate protection against infectious agents commonly encountered in the environment. If an infection does occur, powerful antibiotics are given upfront to shorten the time of infection and speed recovery. It is important to inform the treatment team about any fevers (a temperature greater than 100.5 F or 38.1 C) or other infection symptoms, such as coughing, sneezing, or body aches, so that appropriate treatment can be instituted quickly. Learn more about myeloma, the flu, COVID-19, and managing other infections.
Nausea
Nausea may be experienced during treatment, although this is less common with modern therapies. Nausea can often be eliminated or reduced greatly through treatment modification or addition of anti-emetics. There are many different kinds of anti-emetics available for use, both in intravenous and oral forms, and often several are used in combination to provide relief.
Hair loss
Many patients with myeloma worry about hair loss with treatment. Fortunately, hair loss is minimal with most myeloma treatment given in the clinic. Hair loss does occur with certain intravenous chemotherapy treatments that are given in the hospital and with stem cell transplants. Hair usually starts to grow again in a few weeks to months and resources are available to obtain hair replacement products if desired.
Fatigue
Fatigue is the most common side effect of treatment for myeloma, whether it is chemotherapy or radiation related. Fatigue can affect people in different ways. In many cases, fatigue is minimal, and patients are able to continue work duties on a full-time basis. Prior energy reserve and cardiovascular endurance are important factors in determining fatigue after therapy. Treatment time may be able to help mitigate fatigue symptoms through lifestyle modification suggestions to prescription support.
Side effects with stem cell treatment
A stem cell transplant is associated with side effects related to the high dose chemotherapy and subsequent period of low bone marrow function. These symptoms may include low energy level, mouth sores, hair loss, nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea. The side effects are usually transient but sometimes require close follow up with the transplant physician to ensure speedy recovery. Transplant physicians will provide an outline of all expected side effects and a timeline for recovery before the transplant takes place.
Steroid therapy
Steroids are drugs which are often given with chemotherapy to help destroy the myeloma cells. Steroids for myeloma are usually only given for a few days at a time. Depending on the dose prescribed, they may have some side effects, including increased appetite, feeling more energetic, and difficulty in getting to sleep.
Long term steroid use can result in other temporary side effects including water retention, high blood pressure, a slightly greater risk of getting infections, and an increased level of sugar in the blood. If an increase in blood sugar does occur, a doctor can prescribe treatment, which will need to be taken daily to bring your blood sugar level back to normal.
It is unusual for people with myeloma to have to take steroids for a long time, but if long term treatment is necessary, patients may notice weight gain, especially on the face, waist, and shoulders. These side effects may seem hard to bear at the time, but it is important to remember that they are all temporary and will disappear as the steroid dose is reduced.