[Don]

Diagnosed May 2013 after high ferritin level found

by Don on Thu Jul 17, 2014 9:05 pm

I needed shoulder surgery scheduled for Valentine's Day, 2013, and part of the procedure was a pre-op blood test. Low and behold, they found high ferritin in my blood. I had never heard of ferritin,but I soon was sorry it was high.

A little about myself. I'm 63 years old, recently retired due to bad shoulders after 34 years of heavy industry. I had always played a lot of sports -- softball, basketball, volleyball -- clear up into my late 50s. My wife and I then started biking to keep us in shape, which it did.

Surprisingly, the surgery was done, but with no diagnosis.I came home to my hometown (the surgery was in Pittsburgh, PA). The next day I was in therapy for my shoulder. Very painful. The whole time my PCP is searching for the culprit of the high ferritin. He finally sent me to the local oncologist, and they started taking a pint of blood every two weeks and trashing it to lower the feratin. The whole time I'm still in therapy and the docs are still searching.

May 3, 2013, after a bone marrow biopsy, I'm diagnosed with multiple myeloma.

So much more. Back to Pittsburgh. Side effects, Velcade, stomach pains, myeloma knocked back, night sweats, got virus, 2 days intensive care, 5 days hospital, stem cells harvested and saved, neuropathy in feet, lost 30 pounds [14 kg], extremely weak, go on maintenance with Revlimid, day sweats, numb feet, lift style changed for the worse.

Don

[Toni]

Re: Diagnosed May 2013 after high ferritin level found

by Toni on Thu Jul 17, 2014 10:19 pm

Don - you have endured much and I am sorry for it. I hope that you can get some input from other multiple myeloma patients on this forum which may help you in your quest. We all can support one another in this incredibly challenging disease.

Peace - Toni

[Beacon Staff]

Re: Diagnosed May 2013 after high ferritin level found

by Beacon Staff on Fri Jul 18, 2014 2:02 am

Welcome, Don, and thanks for introducing yourself. Like Toni, we're sorry that you had to go through as much as you have. We look forward to hearing more about what you've experienced, and finding out what you may have learned along the way. And, of course, we're all glad to be of help should you have any questions.