When to worry about persistent fatigue with multiple myeloma

Multiple myeloma can affect bone marrow, kidney function, calcium balance, and bone health. Anaemia may reduce oxygen delivery and cause tiredness or breathlessness. Changes in calcium or kidney function may bring thirst, frequent urination, constipation, nausea, confusion, or weakness. Pain, disturbed sleep, infection, and treatment can also drain energy, so the team may use blood and urine tests to look for several contributors.

Tell your team what has changed and whether fatigue affects walking, washing, eating, or concentration. Note pain, fluid intake, urination, bowel movements, nausea, temperature, and new medicines. Use safe movement and rest as advised, and ask for help with tasks that increase fall risk. Do not change medicines or begin calcium, vitamin, or herbal products without checking with the team.

Seek urgent help for new confusion, severe weakness, fainting, difficulty breathing, inability to stay awake, uncontrolled pain, or inability to keep fluids down. Contact your team promptly for a sudden change in urination, severe thirst, new leg weakness, numbness, or difficulty walking. These symptoms can need rapid assessment, particularly when they appear together or progress quickly.

Ask whether anaemia, calcium, kidney function, infection, pain, or treatment could explain the fatigue. Ask when tests should be repeated, which symptoms require emergency help, how to protect your bones and kidneys, and what support is available for movement, nutrition, sleep, and daily care.