Fact 2: Recognizing the Symptoms
Multiple Myeloma, in its early stages, is an elusive adversary. Many symptoms, such as persistent bone pain, are easily mistaken for more common ailments. But it’s not just any pain; patients often describe it as a deep-seated ache, predominantly in regions like the back and ribs, which doesn’t wane with over-the-counter painkillers.
Fatigue is another hallmark, but it’s distinct. It isn’t the run-of-the-mill exhaustion post a rigorous workout. We’re talking about a profound lethargy, where even rising from the bed feels like a Herculean task. This isn’t normal, and it’s essential to recognize it as such.
With compromised immunity, infections become frequent, unwanted guests. The occasional cold or flu, rather than being short-lived nuisances, linger on. These drawn-out recovery periods are indicative of the body’s declining defense mechanisms, a direct consequence of proliferating myeloma cells.
Kidney disturbances frequently pair up with Multiple Myeloma. These manifest as changes in urine consistency or even pain. This happens because the malignant plasma cells produce an excess of proteins, which the kidneys struggle to filter out, leading to potential damage. (2)
