[kwnmanu94]

A 19 year-old male worrying about possible myeloma

by kwnmanu94 on Sun Nov 23, 2014 4:35 pm

Hi, everyone. First, I apologize for being so young here in the forum (only 19 years old).
Second, I am so sorry for my English skills, since it's been only a year that I came to the US, I'm no good in English, but trying to write in a good skill.

So, roughly more than a month ago, I had a single CT angiography chest at the emergency room because of the intense chest pain, then I was diagnosed with musculo-skeletal at that time. But the scan was uncomfortable for me. I had reddening and several white spots on chest, diarrhea, constipation, nausea, airway swelling, anorexia, metallic taste in my mouth that's from IV contrast lasting too long (I do still have it), extreme fatigue even after long sleep or rest, flushing feeling in my throat that lasted for 2-3 days, etc.

So I went to see a local general practitioner. I was diagnosed with allergic reactions to the iodinated contrast agent, he gave me an Epipen and prednisone, then I switched the doctor to the allergy specialist. The specialist ran me some blood works, that were: CBC count, tryptase, immunoglobulin, etc. and I began taking medications for allergy, such as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications Benadryl, Claritin, such that.

Then, a week later, the doctor told me that I had a high IgE level: 1000.3 IU/ml. Since the contrast allergic reactions are non-IgE mediated, he wondered about my high IgE levels. Then he ran me some more blood works that were: immunoglobulin, serum immunofixation, serum immuno-electropherosis, and CBC count. I noticed that those are used to diagnose multiple myeloma.

Then I went to see him the other day. I only got CBC and immunoglobulin, he told me my IgE was still high 904.3 IU/ml, but a bit decreased. The other results didn't come yet.

Since I don't even have a single bone pain, why did he order blood works that are used to see myeloma? Do you guys think I will be diagnosed with multiple myeloma? I found in the Internet that IgE type multiple myeloma is extremely rare, that is reported only fewer than 50 cases in the literature. But he's suggesting multiple myeloma?

I'm so worrying about it. Is there any possible chance that I will be diagnosed with multiple myeloma? Need suggestions, please.

[Melanie]

Re: A 19 year-old male worrying about possible myeloma

by Melanie on Sun Nov 23, 2014 8:14 pm

I would highly suggest you go and have a hematologist / oncologist review your blood work. That elevated IgE level could be caused by something else. Have the hematologist review ALL of the bloodwork. If in fact you are suffering from multiple myeloma, then you would want an hematologist / oncologist diagnosing and treating you.

[JimNY]

Re: A 19 year-old male worrying about possible myeloma

by JimNY on Sun Nov 23, 2014 10:50 pm

Hi kwnmanu94,

Sorry to hear about your elevated IgE. I think it is far too soon, however, to be worried that you have multiple myeloma.

Your doctor is running tests related to multiple myeloma just to be absolutely sure it's not the cause of the elevated IgE levels. If you check out this link,

http://www.aaaai.org/ask-the-expert/causes-of-elevated-IgE.aspx

you will see that IgE multiple myeloma is one of the things that needs to be checked when IgE levels are elevated, but is not the most likely cause of the problem. A list of potential causes includes:

1. The atopic diseases of allergic rhinitis, asthma, and allergic dermatitis.

2. Parasitic disease including the following:
a. Cestodes (Echinococcus).
b. Trematodes (Schistosoma).
c. Nematodes.
d. Ascaris.
e. Strongyloides.
f. Ancylostoma.
g. Capillaria.
h. Toxocara.

3. Hyper-IgE syndrome
4. IgE myeloma.

5. Various immunodeficiency states including the following:
a. Wiskott-Aldrich.
b. DiGeorge.
c. Nezelof.

6. Cystic fibrosis with the presence of atopy.

7. Kawasaki's.

8. Bronchopulmonary aspergillosis (some cases of aspergilloma as well).

9. Leprosy.

I hope this helps a bit. Please let us know what else you find out and whether you have any additional questions.

Good luck!

[kwnmanu94]

Re: A 19 year-old male worrying about possible myeloma

by kwnmanu94 on Tue Nov 25, 2014 8:27 pm

Thanks, Melanie and JimNY, I've got the result today. My specialist had them reviewed by a hematologist, which all came normal, so no MGUS, SMM, or IgE multiple myeloma. But he is suggesting allergic reactions, or parasitic infections. So I will get another stool analysis,.and allergy testing.