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Waldenstrom’s macroglobulinaemia symptoms vary from person to person. Here we describe some of the most common symptoms experienced by people with WM, as well as how you can manage these.
Alongside blood results, your symptoms are an important way that your healthcare team will monitor your WM. So, it’s important to discuss any symptom you may have, even if it doesn’t appear on the list below. You might want to keep a diary of how you are feeling to help you explain to your healthcare team how your symptoms are affecting you, and how often. How much you’re affected by your symptoms may determine whether you need further tests or treatment.
This list covers some important symptoms that may be felt by people living with Waldenstrom’s macroglobulinaemia. However, you may find you are affected in other ways. It’s important to talk to your doctor about all your symptoms, not just those listed here.
Over time, most people with Waldenstrom’s macroglobulinaemia will develop some of these symptoms. Most are only affected by one or two – however everyone’s experience is unique.
Your blood is made up of red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets. Waldenstrom’s macroglobulinaemia is a cancer of the white blood cells.
Healthy white blood cells help to fight infections. WM occurs when a certain type of white blood cell – called B-cells – develop incorrectly. These abnormal B-cells aren’t helpful to your body but continue to multiply, crowding out healthy cells. Without enough healthy blood cells, your body can’t act like it normally would, causing symptoms like fatigue, repeated infections, bruising or bleeding easily.
In people with WM, abnormal B-cells produce large quantities of a protein called IgM. This build-up of abnormal excess IgM can cause other symptoms such as headaches, shortness of breath, dizziness and confusion.
It can be hard to know what is caused by your Waldenstrom’s macroglobulinaemia or not – sometimes there might be an underlying health condition causing you to feel a certain way, such as anaemia. This is why it’s important to discuss all your symptoms with your doctor, so that they can determine if it’s related to WM and get you the care you need.
If you are already on treatment for WM, your symptoms may be caused by the drugs you’re taking. Be sure to read the information you’re given about your treatment, and discuss any concerns or potential side effects that you’re having with your healthcare team.
You should mention all your symptoms, however mild, to your healthcare team. They’ll be able to determine whether you need further tests for related condition. If this is the case, you may be offered treatment. For example, fatigue may be caused by anaemia – a shortage of red blood cells – and you may be offered iron supplements or a blood transfusion.
Some symptoms are due to your Waldenstrom’s macroglobulinaemia alone. Your symptoms and how they affect your day-to-day life are one way your healthcare team monitors your WM. Although treatment can come with side effects of its own, it can help alleviate WM symptoms in the long run.
You and your doctor may decide that your symptoms are manageable enough to stay on Active Monitoring. If this is the case, there are ways you can manage your symptoms so that you can continue leading a good quality life.
