Looking after yourself

Myeloma affects everyone differently. Some or all of the sections below may be relevant to you, depending on any symptoms / side-effects you have. Remember to discuss any changes to your diet, additional supplements or complementary therapies with your doctor or nurse.

Diet and fluids

There is no evidence to suggest that a specific diet can help to treat or prevent relapse of myeloma.

It is recommended that myeloma patients eat a healthy balanced diet. This will help the body to cope with myeloma and its treatment. If you require a special diet, your doctor will discuss this with you.

Some myeloma patients may need specially adapted diets if they have kidney problems or other health concerns. Kidney problems can occur in myeloma patients for a variety of reasons. They can be caused by the myeloma itself or by the drugs used in treatment. A good way to protect your kidneys is to drink at least 3 litres (6 pints) of water each day. This can be quite difficult to do, so try to drink little and often throughout the day so that it becomes a habit.

If you are on Velcade™ treatment it is recommended you avoid drinking green tea or taking green tea supplements as they may interfere with the activity of Velcade™ on the myeloma cells.

Diet supplements

Some patients take a general vitamin supplement if they feel they may not be getting enough vitamins and nutrients from their diet. You should avoid taking Vitamin C in large doses (i.e. more than 500mg a day) as it will add to the acidity of your urine, which can damage the kidneys.

Supplements such as cod liver oil and evening primrose oil are usually safe to take. It is best to avoid any supplements or remedies that are aimed at boosting the immune system (i.e. Echinacea) as they may have an adverse effect on your myeloma.

Discuss with your doctor before you take any vitamins or other supplements in case they interfere with, or directly affect your myeloma or your treatment.

Exercise

Exercise helps to keep your body fit and strong and can boost mental and physical feelings of wellbeing.

The most important thing for myeloma patients to think about, when planning any sort of exercise, is their bones. Myeloma patients often have weakened bones and should avoid contact sports and more adventurous sports in case of injury. Improving your muscle strength is important as this will reduce the pressure on your bones. If you attend a gym, explain your situation to an instructor and ask for some advice on exercises to strengthen your muscles.

Gentle forms of exercise such as walking, swimming, cycling, gentle aqua-aerobics, gentle gym work, yoga and tai chi are good for overall health and for muscle strengthening. 

 Complementary therapies