Exercise is safe and has physiologic benefits for patients undergoing MM treatment; exercise combined with epoetin alfa helped alleviate anemia.

Background Improvements in some treatment programs for multiple myeloma (MM) are increasing survival. As patients live longer with MM as a chronic disease, the personal financial effects of MM treatment become a serious concern. Objective The objective of this study was to identify the personal financial effects of MM and its treatment in five areas: employment, disability, health/medical and life insurance, retirement, and out-of-pocket expenses. Methods We mailed a questionnaire about financial issues to 1015 patients who had received intensive treatment for MM at the study site. Data analysis included descriptive statistics and comparisons using independent t-tests. Results Our sample (n=762; mean age 61, SD 9.26), experienced issues with employment (66% employed at diagnosis and treatment; 33% employed at questionnaire time), disability (35% applied), health/medical and life insurance (29% lost coverage and 8% changed coverage), retirement (13% retired during treatment), and out-of-pocket expenses (36% of income in first treatment year and 28% of income during most recent 12 months). Conclusions Issues of employment, disability, health insurance, retirement, and out-of-pocket costs for treatment are major challenges for patients. Implications for Practice In the midst of assessing physical needs during clinical trials for chemotherapy and stem cell transplants, health care providers must keep sight of patients' personal financial needs so that we can intervene promptly with referrals to social work, rehabilitation therapy, and other health care professions to help patients decrease the personal financial effects of MM and its treatment.

Background-Cancer-related fatigue and insomnia are common distressing symptoms and may affect mood and performance status.