How can multiple myeloma cause one to feel sick along with back pain?

Reviewed by Yoshinori Abe, MD

Internal Medicine

Multiple myeloma is a blood cancer that can cause back pain and a general feeling of sickness. It weakens bones—often in the spine—leading to pain, while also triggering fatigue, low mood, and even depression. Research links persistent back pain with declining mental health, which can worsen the sense of feeling unwell.

Because back pain and fatigue have many possible causes, from muscle strain to serious conditions like myeloma, it's important to understand your symptoms before worrying or waiting. A free, instant, online symptom check can help you evaluate your signs, identify possible causes, and guide your next steps—empowering you to have a more informed conversation with your doctor.

Reviewed for medical accuracy: 07/14/2026

Important Next Steps

Discover if back pain suggests multiple myeloma Learn whether your back pain needs care Find likely causes of persistent back pain See OTC options for back pain relief Find a doctor for back pain evaluation Understand home remedies for back pain relief Check if back pain could be serious

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Explanation

Multiple myeloma is a type of cancer that affects the bones and blood cells. It can cause back pain because it often involves the spine. The disease can make people feel sick in different ways.

Back Pain: People with multiple myeloma often feel back pain because the cancer can weaken bones, especially in the spine, making them hurt or even break.
Feeling Sick: The feeling of being sick can come from fatigue and depression, which are common in people with chronic back pain. Studies have shown that people with back pain often also feel very tired and can become depressed.
Mental Health: Feeling tired and sad can make it hard to do daily activities, and this can make someone feel even more sick. If you are feeling very sad or tired, you can visit 988lifeline.org for help.

In summary, multiple myeloma can make someone feel sick and have back pain due to its effects on bones and mental health. If you're experiencing persistent back pain or other concerning symptoms, you can use Ubie's free AI symptom checker to help understand what might be causing your discomfort. It is important to pay attention to both physical and emotional health when dealing with back pain.

(References)

Snekkevik H, Eriksen HR, Tangen T, Chalder T, & Reme SE. (2014). Fatigue and depression in sick-listed chronic low back pain .... Pain medicine (Malden, Mass.), 24716799.
Dorner TE, Alexanderson K, Svedberg P, Ropponen A, Stein KV, & Mittendorfer-Rutz E. (2015). Sickness absence due to back pain or depressive episode .... European journal of pain (London, England), 25703233.
Mather L, Kärkkäinen S, Narusyte J, Ropponen A, Mittendorfer-Rutz E, & Svedberg P. (2020). Sick leave due to back pain, common mental disorders and .... European journal of pain (London, England), 32673421.

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