“Learning that treatment didn’t work for multiple myeloma or that your cancer came back after a period of remission can be difficult. Multiple myeloma can make you feel uncertain.”

You may be angry, scared, or confused by this diagnosis. These emotions are normal. You can achieve remission if you have progressive multiple myeloma.

It is possible to live with multiple myeloma and manage your symptoms, even though there is no current cure.

It is possible to make this happen with regular discussions with your doctor. To make sure you and your doctor cover all the key topics of your care, come to your appointments with your own questions.

Here is what you can ask your doctor about.

Your doctor can help you decide on the best treatment for your cancer.

They may suggest drugs for therapy. Targeted therapy attacks cancer growth. These drugs are used.

  • Bortezomib is a drug.
  • Carfilzomib is a drug.
  • Ixazomib is a drug.

Biological therapy can help fight cancer. Drugs in this category are listed.

  • Thalomid is a drug that is used for thalidomide.
  • lenalidomide is a drug.
  • pomalidomide is a drug.

If your cancer stops responding to a prior therapy, your doctor may recommend one of these drugs. They may want you to take these drugs with another therapy.

Chemo or radiation may be used to kill cancer cells. A bone marrow transplant is a recommendation your doctor may make.

Maintenance therapy can be recommended by doctors to help manage symptoms once you are out of the hospital. This involves taking a drug that is low in dose to prevent the myeloma from coming back.

“If your condition doesn’t respond to treatment, you may want to consider a Hospice care or a Palliative care. The cancer is not treated by the Palliative care. Hospice care is about helping you live your last days in as much comfort as possible.”

“Ask your doctor about clinical trials when traditional therapy doesn’t slow the progression of multiple myeloma Researchers are conducting trials to see if promising new drugs can treat certain conditions.”

There are no guarantees of success in trials. If an experimental drug is successful, this may help prolong your life.

If you are eligible to participate in a multiple myeloma study, your doctor can refer you to a clinical trial specialist.

It is important to understand the goal of the treatment. Is your doctor suggesting a particular treatment to help you get rid of the cancer? Is the goal of treatment to help manage symptoms and improve the quality of your life?

Ask your doctor about any potential side effects before you commit to any treatment. Hair loss, fatigue, nausea, and vomiting are some of the side effects of chemotherapy.

Ask your doctor about the medications that can help you with the side effects of treatment.

A bone marrow transplant is a possibility if you are a candidate. Make sure you know the risks if you are. The risk of an infection is included in the first few months after the transplant. You may need to stay in the hospital for a while after the procedure.

Other side effects of treatment can be more serious.

  • There are blood clot.
  • Anemia.
  • fatigue
  • Stomach problems.

It is important to know how your body will respond to a treatment.

Aggressive therapy is recommended by your doctor to stop the progression of the disease. It can be difficult to care for your family. You may have to take time off from work, change your activity level, or get help from a relative.

“People with side effects don’t happen in everyone. If you know what to expect before treatment begins, you can prepare yourself for it.”

“Your doctor can’t say that a specific treatment will improve your condition. They may be able to estimate the success rate based on your health. Knowing your outlook can help you decide if a treatment is worth it.”

It is beneficial to get a second opinion. A different course of action may be suggested by another doctor. They may provide new information on how to treat the disease.

The costs of treating multiple myeloma can be high. Discuss your financial concerns with your doctor if you have difficulty paying for treatment.

A social worker or a caseworker can be referred to by your doctor. The professionals can give you information on applying for financial help.

There is no current cure for multiple myeloma, but you can live a long life if you achieve remission.

You will need to work with your doctor to find the best treatment. The right treatment for you may not involve treating the cancer. It could be used to improve your quality of life and help you manage symptoms.