In January, while on vacation, I found myself at the ER with all-over tingling. The ER doc dismissed me as a hysteric and suggested I was a drug addict trying to score drugs.
A few months later, on a first visit to a new internist, I mentioned the tingling and she added a test to my regular bloodwork. It came back with high proteins, but no anemia, no kidney dysfunction, and no bone pain. She sent me back to the lab for further bloodwork and a urine test. They tell me it will be a week before I see results.
Her explanation: 3% of people over 50 just have the stuff in their blood for no reason. Or that I could have MGUS, or I could have smoldering myeloma, but that it is unlikely I have full myeloma yet at this point because I have no symptoms. I am completely freaked out.
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Re: Completely freaked out
Jrnlmkr,
A LOT of things can cause excess protein in one's urine, including dehydration, inflammation, and stress. I would therefore try and not jump to any conclusions about something like MGUS or smoldering multiple myeloma quite yet. I know it's hard to do, but I would try and remain calm until you have some additional lab test results to work with.
A LOT of things can cause excess protein in one's urine, including dehydration, inflammation, and stress. I would therefore try and not jump to any conclusions about something like MGUS or smoldering multiple myeloma quite yet. I know it's hard to do, but I would try and remain calm until you have some additional lab test results to work with.
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Multibilly - Name: Multibilly
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Me
- When were you/they diagnosed?: Smoldering, Nov, 2012
Re: Completely freaked out
Your enemy right now is your imagination and there is no upside in encouraging it by learning about worst case scenarios. As you said, it's freaking you out. Tell yourself you will deal with bad news IF it comes, and not before.
I speak from experience. In the past, I've had three needle core biopsies because of suspicious mammograms. All turned out negative for cancer. It took me 3 months to have the first biopsy and the wait was nerve-racking until by force of will I held my imagination in check and refused to give it free reign.
You CAN do it too. Just give yourself a lecture when you slip.
I speak from experience. In the past, I've had three needle core biopsies because of suspicious mammograms. All turned out negative for cancer. It took me 3 months to have the first biopsy and the wait was nerve-racking until by force of will I held my imagination in check and refused to give it free reign.
You CAN do it too. Just give yourself a lecture when you slip.
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cdnirene - Name: Irene S
- Who do you know with myeloma?: me
- When were you/they diagnosed?: September 2014
- Age at diagnosis: 66
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