Living with Myeloma

By Dr. Vikas Goswami 

Do you often feel tired, feel fatigue or exhausted thirsty or pale all the time or have chronic backache ? It could be a form of cancer called Multiple Myeloma. Unlike other forms of cancer there are not much ready figures are available that how many people in India are suffering from such cancer. This usually affects people over 40 years of age. 

Multiple myeloma is a rare form of blood cancer which is also known as Kahler’s disease. Myeloma is a cancer of a special type of white blood cells known as plasma cells. These plasma cells are part of the immune system formed in the bone marrow which fights infections. When the plasma cells become cancerous, they populate the bone marrow thereby crippling the immune system, causing infections and other symptoms. 

Signs and symptoms of Myeloma are: 

• fatigue,  
• sudden weight loss,  
• Bone pain, especially in your spine or chest 
• Nausea 
• Constipation 
• loss of appetite 
• Mental fogginess or confusion 
• Frequent infections 
• Weakness or numbness in your legs 
• Excessive thirst 

Factors that may increase your risk of multiple myeloma which includes: 

• Increasing age: Your risk of multiple myeloma increases as you age, with most people diagnosed in their mid-60s. 
• Men are more likely to develop the disease than are women. 

As you can see the symptoms of myeloma are very vague nondescript, this leads to delays in diagnosis and misdiagnosis. 

The causes of multiple myeloma and thereby

any preventive measures are unknown at present. Various reasons suspected are long term exposure to petrochemicals, herbicides, pesticides & insecticides.

If multiple myeloma is suspected then the basic tests recommended are: 

• Blood test - especially Serum protein electrophoresis  
• Urine test  
• X Rays 
• Bone marrow biopsy 

Treatment options includes: 

• Chemotherapy 
• Immuno therapy 
• steroids 
• Bone marrow transplant 
• Radiation Therapy 
• sometimes just wait and watch policy is also used if the disease is very slow growing 

People suffering from multiple myeloma should have the following dietary modifications to have maximum benefit from treatment and reduce the side effects of treatment 

• Increase iron rich diet to have high hemoglobin. Diets such as green leafy vegetables like spinach, dry fruits like raisins, dates, nuts  
• Avoid raw food - fruits vegetable or unpasteurized dairy products 
• Have your vitamin d level checked to discuss with your doctor if they are deficient as they form the backbone of your bone health 
• Take high fibre diet and stay hydrated to avoid treatment related constipation 
• Small frequent calorie rich meals should be taken to avoid fatigue  
• For patients with kidney damage they should be careful be the quantity of salts and proteins and fluids    

The key element in treatment of this disease is accurate and timely diagnosis. With proper treatment very high response and control rates are achievable. Lisa Ray the famous Indian actress was diagnosed with multiple myeloma after defeating this disease she is back in her acting career.  

The war on this disease has to be holistic. The patient needs to have proper treatment along with supreme mindset to come out as a winner.