I hope everyone is finding a way to move their body each day this month for the challenge. If you don't get 20 mins per day, then just aim for whatever your body can do on a given day! It's okay if you're not at 20 mins every day yet. I was barely there a year ago. I was happy if I could get out of bed, walk to the living room, and park myself on the couch for the day watching tv instead of laying in bed all day! Or sitting the front or back yard in the sun for 10-45 mins to get fresh air, sunshine and not be stuck inside while recovering. I have been doing a lot for this challenge (and with work) since the 1st of the month and feel tired now. Yesterday was my "rest" day from doing extra exercise. I spent about 1-2 hours cooking and cleaning, and about an hour standing around while with a personal training client. That was enough for me since I was tired, and my back was sore because I pulled something almost a week ago - it's healing up slowly but surely. I had to lie down and stretch, which was not easy to do, yesterday after standing just over an hour in the kitchen making food for the week. Today, I played a couple of games of softball which felt difficult today. My body felt slow and weak, back still sore, but it got me out and exercising. I love to play and am so happy I am able to do that again. It gets me moving and allows me to be around my friends again after everything I have been through. It's the thing that brings me so much joy, and aside from the usual "living for my family" cliches, it was the one thing that if I was not going to be able to do it again, or be active in any way, I would not have wanted to keep living. So I guess for me, personally, being able to play softball again was my reason for living. And here I am, playing softball 4 days per week! And starting flag football for a second season! I am going to enjoy being able to move my body this much while I can now that I have experienced how easily I could lose it! Some days are harder than others, but I won't stop yet. I'm just getting started!

Hello! I am newly diagnosed with MM. I am 66 and live in Bend Oregon. It was discovered after my Kidney's were in failure and I ended up in the Hospital for 5 days in early January. This led to many appointment and lab work to determine the cause. Just have a full MRI and they found proof of MM. Also had a Bone Marrow Biopsy but waiting on results. Now trying to find a specialist in my area to start the treatment process. Thanks for listening to my story!

Hi all, my Mum 74, is possibly heading in for a transplant in April/May. Its been a very fraught and challenging decision to make for us for a variety of reasons, but the 3 big ones are 1. Here in India transplants in patients her age is virtually unheard of and all the specialists we consulted with were largely discouraging. 2. We will have to travel to the US for the transplant which just adds to all the anxiety and its very difficult to feel "ready" for something that is so FAR away both in terms of actual distance but also in that the reality of it is not HERE. And while she is baseline eligible she still needs the more comprehensive evaluation to know if we should/could go ahead. 3. She hasnt been able to connect to a lot of other MM folks her age and who have gone through transplant around her age. We've been able to talk to 2-3 folks but I think to her thats not been enough to build her confidence. I think what she needs is to be able to see herself in someone else and see that if they got through it so can I. I'd really really love for her to be able to talk to more people who are on the other side of this who can give her an honest take on what their experience was like, good bad ugly so she knows what she has to prepare herself for from people who got through it! So we can embark on this fully ready!

Hi all, my Mum 74, is possibly heading in for a transplant in April/May. Its been a very fraught and challenging decision to make for us for a variety of reasons, but the 3 big ones are 1. Here in India transplants in patients her age is virtually unheard of and all the specialists we consulted with were largely discouraging. 2. We will have to travel to the US for the transplant which just adds to all the anxiety and its very difficult to feel "ready" for something that is so FAR away both in terms of actual distance but also in that the reality of it is not HERE. And while she is baseline eligible she still needs the more comprehensive evaluation to know if we should/could go ahead. 3. She hasnt been able to connect to a lot of other MM folks her age and who have gone through transplant around her age. We've been able to talk to 2-3 folks but I think to her thats not been enough to build her confidence. I think what she needs is to be able to see herself in someone else and see that if they got through it so can I. I'd really really love for her to be able to talk to more people who are on the other side of this who can give her an honest take on what their experience was like, good bad ugly so she knows what she has to prepare herself for from people who got through it! So we can embark on this fully ready!

How to enter your activity manually with HealthTree Moves: 1, Log in to your account 2, Select Add Devices 3, Enter Mannualy 4, Select Date 5, Enter Steps, Miles, and Minutes one at a time 6, remember to Save Changes at the bottom for each entry

In 2015 I went to a doctor for an unrelated reason and they did some specialized blood tests. One of them showed that I had a marker for MM and I was sent to a blood cancer doctor. For years I went in once a year-then twice a year and slowly little by little my Mspike and IgG would go up a little-then down a little-I never had any symptoms but little by little I finally reached the smoldering phase-Naively I told myself year after year that it was never really going to become "real"" MM. This fall my numbers were right on the treat or wait line. My doctor recommended treating. I as shocked-as I really had convinced myself it wouldn't happen to me-but he convinced me that if I started treatment now hopefully I could avoid some of the bad outcomes so I agreed. So in January I started with 25mg of Rev plus 325 mg of aspirin. I mostly read of other patients taking a trio of drugs. I go to a very reputable cancer center and my doctor is known for his research and treatment with bone marrow transplants-so I know I am in good hands. I am 77 years old and in good health otherwise. My M spike has decreased by a small amount for the last 2 months. I am tolerating the rev pretty well-other than the fluctuating GI problems and some fatigue I''m doing well. Sorry this is so long-but thats my story and why I consider myself to be newly diagnosed

I am my Husband's care giver, I am trying to find out how to help him as much as possible, also looking for friends to talk to about this. Thank you Cyndi

Newly on Revlimid-( month 2) Swinging from constipation to diarrhea which I think is caused by too much treatment of the constipation-taking miralax- trying different dosages-senna tea-drinking lots of water. Any other ideas? I hate talking about this-

Is anyone else dealing with relentless charley horses in their legs and feet? I try to take enough magnesium and potassium to slow it down, but if I take the full dose of magnesium it makes the gut issues worse. I do have relief with Homeopathic Leg Cramps pills, the ones you put under your tongue, as well as those you swallow. I keep the bottles by my bed. But sure wish it would stop. The pain is so intense!

Anyone have severe diarrhea from Revlimid. It’s just awful and I’ve had it for years. I take Welchol but still have problems. Can hardly leave my house at times. Any advice would be great. 😊

Not had any trembling as a result of Rev, but of course the meds will give serious digestive issues, including diarrhea. For that, I would suggest that you take a probiotic after your first meal of the day, and then take cholysteramine (if prescribed by your doctor), after lunch and/or dinner. I take it later in the day, usually right after the evening meal. You will need to take these whether or not your regimen has you off meds for a period of time.

Dry Mouth, loss of taste with some foods, but not all. Neuropathy in feet only but had that before any treatments. Was put on Gabapentin (300mg) twice a day. Would like to know if there is a successful foot gel, oil, or rub on treatment that has been effective. I don't want more pills to take. Some loss of balance that is hard to describe but seems most related to the Neuropathy.

On my second clinic trial, both BiTE. Very bad muscular and joint pain.

Hi, I'm not a patient, but my husband switched from SMM to active MM, and we are entering the 3rd cycle of chemotherapy, March 8, according to the RVd protocol. From side effects, I would single out, in addition to mild neuropathy, pain in the muscles and ribs, currently, which makes it slightly difficult for him to move. Do we have anyone with a similar problem? Thank you and God bless all you brave warriors

Are you ready to get moving? HealthTree Moves 30 day fitness challenge starts today! Click on the link to learn more https://healthtree.org/myeloma/community/articles/healthtree-moves-march?fbclid=IwAR3xcUWwovRWGZYTHIoxFq3p78H8DKKlXZ0MAj0slkoBqD4GkjvyKrWWWMI

Anyone had trembling as a result of taking Rev?

Hi everyone! My name is Avani, I am a chiropractor and personal trainer AND a myeloma warrior! I am excited to share my personal experience along with my professional expertise about so many things related to what we go through with regards to movement and diet. It's Myeloma Awareness month and I see Health Tree has a movement challenge this month and I am going to help out as much as possible with tips. Please ask me your questions, and I will be sharing my own tips and experiences with you all to let you know we are all here for each other. I just downloaded the HealthTree Moves app, too, so I hope to share on there frequently. Tip for the day/week/month: HealthTree is encouraging us to move for 20 mins per day! Having trouble getting your body moving, out of bed, off the couch because your body says "NO" even when your mind says "GO"? I know 20 mins sounds like a lot, but did you know you don't have to do it all at once? Science shows moving in 10 minute increments is very beneficial! Find a friend, neighbor, dog, family member to join you for a walk for just 10 minutes, and try that twice per day to get your 20 minutes in. Someone told me she will schedule a "walk and talk" by phone with her sister because they live in different states. Another great way to have a walking buddy to get you moving! Maybe you can only do 5 minutes to start, that's okay! Take 4 walks for 5 minutes each and you'll get your 20 minutes for the day. Can't walk? Then swim, use a stationary bicycle, or sit in a chair and march your legs and wave your arms around. Too cold or rainy outside to walk? Walk/march in place to music or while watching tv/movies, or turn on music and dance around if you can. Science also shows exercise benefits are CUMULATIVE, which means you can spread out your movement for the day, or week, and still get the same benefits from doing it all at once. I hope to keep up with this community well beyond awareness month. I am one year and 2 months past my stem cell transplant and have made huge progress in the last 4-5 months, but I still have days where I need motivation from others and I KNOW this community is just what I need! Have a great day, everyone!

I developed neuropathy in the induction phase of treatment (bortezomib) preparing for the SCT. Was able to minimize and stabilize the neuropathy in the feet through massage. Rolling the bottom of my foot and toes over a small cork ball and a small wooden roller pin helped to stimulate circulation and has prevented the neuropathy from spreading. I also tried acupuncture but I found that a foot massage was more effective for me and did not require additional meds with unpleasant side effects.

Hi I’m from New Zealand and unfortunately we have very few treatment options available.We have one of the lowest drug funding in the OECD.countries.Anyway I have had no taste and what can be described as a burning mouth/tongue for the last 18 months on Revlamid.Just reduced to 5mg to see if that helps.No ulcers or blisters but am using a mouth gel to relieve.Had a SCT March 2021.Has anyone had this side effect for such a long time.Started on 15 mg of Len to begin with.Many Thanks

Tingling toes and fingers are very annoying. Makes it hard to grasp items, turn pages or handle any small items, and am always dropping things. Pressure on fingers and toes helps, but not really useful.