Rib pain

The rib pain you get from Myeloma, is it constant, or is it worse some days than others?

Mine seems to be constant, has been for over a year. But I have also noticed that the weather has a lot to do with it too. Most days I feel like I have been beat with a baseball bat. There are some days the pain is not to bad but those are few and far between. I have had MM for 5 years and the pain just continues to get worse. I am Stage 1, Asymptomatic, IgA Lambda. Nancy

Hi Nancy, same here, stage 1 asymptomatic but going to see doc next week, the pain I describe is obviously a symptom and am dreading having to go down the chemo path! Just waiting till I see her to find what my levels are. What is the thing you are on and what is that for? Thanks for your response, hope you have a good day. Maureen

I was diagnosed with MM 4 years ago.  I had 4 broken ribs and some problems with my back.  They put me on pamidronate for my bones and I very seldom have any rib pain.  I have had quite a number of different treatments over the last 4 years but the bone pain hasn't been an issue.

I was diagnosed with multiple myeloma in October 2004.  During the year 2005 I had numerous rounds of chemotherapy including two stem cell transplants with high dose chemo.  I acheived complete remission but just recently relapsed with two lesions on my ribs and one on my spine.  I am starting to have some rib pain on a daily basis but it is not constant, it comes and goes. Also, it is worse some days than others.

Maureen, I am only on Decadron (Dexamethasone) 40mg every Friday. I have tried Rev and Thal but had such bad reactions I was taken off. I was diagnosed 12/21/2007. Have been of and on Decadron since then. Bad thing is all the side effects have had them all and gained 50 lbs. From day one I told them there will be no chemo or anything else I refuse it all. Good thing is he said I could live forever like I am, which is ok, but I don't like being in pain every day and feeling sick every day. Have no strength anymore, its not fun not being able to do the things you use to do. Also have COPD/Emphysema, just found out in March. The Decadron so far keeps my IgA levels at a good point so he said we will just continue doing that. I have blood work every 2-3 months and a biopsy and skeletal xray every year, do that next week. So far a lot of compressed disks in back, and a lesion on my skull, other than that doing pretty good. Just have to take it month by month when I get the blood work and see what is going on. Nancy

Hi Nancy, good knowing you! Well, sort of, so far if you know what I mean, lol I dont understand when you say you refused chemo from day 1, isn't what you are taking classed as some sort of chemo? You seem very much like me, I too have refused chemo and also have COPD, lucky, arent we, lol. I have hadd all the 'tests' done too and see my haemo evry 3 months, due to see her next week, sometimes wonder why I even go if I am not going to do anything else about it!!!!!!!! Morbid Curiosity maybe lol  I have lesions on my arms from skeletal survey and degeneration in lower spine. Where is your pain worse? In your ribs, I have found that this is my problem that has developed since last bloods, thought at first it was just a sore back but now guessing this is the beginning! Don't ya just hate having something you cannot control with an antibiotic? I am 62 and I live in Melbourne, australia. It really freaks me out all the side effects of the chemo people had, if it was going to get rid of it, maybe worth a try but as its supposedly incurable why spend the last years of your life throwing up with no hair? Maybe thats just me!! Again, thanks for adding me as a friend, nice to talk to somebody first hand that is going through the same stuff. Have a great day!

Its used in chemo to help with nausea/vomiting. But I also read if used alone considered chemo. I'm talking full blown chemo, won't go there. What are you taking? My pain is the worst in the ribs, then my mid back. I'm sick enough to my stomach everyday without taking any other drugs. Taking Dex messes with the immune system and I keep a respiratory infection constantly. I am 58 and live in Ohio. At this point I do not need chemo or any other drug, as the Dex is controlling it for now. Nice taliking to you too. Have a good day. Nancy

On Aug 03, 2012 7:54 PM nancy524 wrote:

Its used in chemo to help with nausea/vomiting. But I also read if used alone considered chemo. I'm talking full blown chemo, won't go there. What are you taking? My pain is the worst in the ribs, then my mid back. I'm sick enough to my stomach everyday without taking any other drugs. Taking Dex messes with the immune system and I keep a respiratory infection constantly. I am 58 and live in Ohio. At this point I do not need chemo or any other drug, as the Dex is controlling it for now. Nice taliking to you too. Have a good day. Nancy

I am not taking anything at this stage, the pain in my back rib, not so bad yet. I too keep getting respiratory infections constantly. Bit confused, you say you take something classed as chemo if used alone  but then say you do not need chemo at this stage, ok, early in the morning for me, sorry, lol!

this is a glucocorticosteroid, (a steroid) same catergory as Prednisone, it is classified as a chemo drug because it is used with chemotherapy. It is not really a chemo drug because if it was it could't be used for everything it is used for. It can be used for asthma, pneumonia, rheumatoid arthritis, eye, allergies, it is used for a lot of things. I just read that some where about alone being chemo. I do know you have to eat something when taking it or it makes you really sick to your stomach. Nancy