How does Multiple Myeloma affect you?
Blood - Myeloma in the bone marrow disrupts the production of new blood cells (red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets). This can lead to the following:
Anemia (low red blood cell count), which can cause shortness of breath and fatigue.
Neutropenia (low white blood cell count), which can increase the risk of infection.
Thrombocytopenia (low platelet count), which can increase the risk of bleeding.
Bones - Myeloma cells in the bone marrow can cause bone breakdown and prevent new bone cell production.
This increases the risk of bone fractures (most commonly your spine, ribs and pelvis).
Bone breakdown causes too much calcium to be released into the blood (hypercalcemia). Hypercalcemia can cause kidney damage leading to increased thirst, fatigue, nausea and vomiting and confusion.
Kidneys - Kidney damage can be caused by the myeloma (M) proteins, hypercalcemia or infection.