I just joined a few days ago and realized I should introduce myself.
Three months ago I was diagnosed MGUS. My health has not been great for a while and this past year especially it has become more difficult to function on a daily basis. I was diagnosed hypothyroid when I was in my early 20s and finally put on Synthroid in my 30s. I've had pituitary microadenoma (prolactinoma). And about 15 years ago I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia. After years of enjoying great blood pressure, mine shot up a few years, ago so now I'm on a diuretic hypertensive drug.
Fortunately there's a little more awareness about fibromyalgia, so I've been on some newer medications for pain management, but in the past year and especially in the past 6-9 months, my pain has increased substantially. I've also noticed increased neuropathy. It's been difficult to walk. And I've had overwhelming fatigue. They checked vitamin D and mine was very low, so I took prescription vitamin D for two months this spring and I've continued on it. I've had a tendency toward anemia, but it seems to be iron deficiency anemia. That said, hemogloblin tends to be low normal (12) as is ferritin (13).
So in March we tweaked some medicines and my GP referred me to a neurologist who ordered an MRI of my spine from L-1 down. The EMG (?) showed nerve involvement so we did the MRI. I have degenerative disk disease (they say everyone will develop it). I have nerve root impingement on both sides in the lumbar area so the neuropathy and pain must come from that or from the fibromyalgia.
Just the same, the neurologist ordered other testing and that's when my M-spike was detected.
I've had three tests drawn since March: IgG gammopathy, M=spike 1.1; 0.9; and 1.0. My bone scan indicates no problems. Density test shows osteopenia. Most of my test results are normal, although my immunoglobulin M is a little low (35). WBC is trending down but normal range. Sed rate normal. Beta 2 microglobulin is normal at 2.1. Initially some of my liver enzymes were high, but they are coming back down to normal
Guess I'm normal, right?
That said, I'm trying to learn as much as I can. My hem/onc seems to be unconcerned, which is fine, but hey, we're not statistics are we? We haven't yet done a bone marrow biopsy. He does not do them unless a patient has an M-spike of 1.5 or above, but I'm learning from here that I probably should have one done to accurately diagnose.
I have constant, but usually manageable, pain/aches. I frequently get sinus infections and middle ear infections, primarily fungal infections in the past 2-3 years. So with my regular symptoms, I wouldn't know if there's anything to "worry" about or that needs to get checked.
I had a friend, same age as myself, who was diagnosed with multiple myeloma just a few years ago. She courageously fought the battle but lost the war 2 years ago. I had no idea what multiple myeloma was until she became ill. I"m probably in a very low category for risk to progress to multiple myeloma, but perhaps learning more about this I can help another in some small way.
Wishing you all peace and good health.
