Hi! I'm new here and need to vent a little and hope to get information from more experienced people here. Anemia was discovered by accident during pre-op blood labs that needed to be done before an emergency knee surgery I had. That was back in 2006. I have been battling iron deficiency anemia ever since. In 2008, I decided to do my own research and look for a hematologist. She had me do blood work and suspected thalassemia but it was negative. However she had a concerned look on her face and I told her to be honest with whatever it may be she suspected. She then explained I had an abnormal protein in my blood. I asked for her to elaborate since I didn't know what that meant. She then went on and explained about the function of the bone marrow and plasma cells and that I could possibly develop multiple myeloma. I was then diagnosed with MGUS. I changed hematologists due to distance and have had several bouts of iron infusions since my body (according to my heme/onc) doesn't absorb iron nor store it.
So this is the thing....I have MGUS. I've had my SPEP done. But when I ask my doctor if my M spike has grown he says not much. I asked where in the bloods do I find that and he went on to talking about something else. He says it's nothing to worry about right now. Does anybody know where on the blood labs I could find this M spike measurement? I stopped going to the doctor. I got tired of going for iron infusions. It's been a year. However I made an appointment now for Sept to see him again because I have been getting dull or stabbing back pains. When I sleep I have a lot of discomfort with my right side hip. So I toss and turn a lot. I have leg weakness and for the past month now I have pain on my right foot. Feels like a straining feeling on my foot when I walk. Yes I am very fatigue. Can't due house cleaning without taking breaks. And the list goes on.
Forums
Re: Diagnosis: MGUS
Anybody??? Know what blood lab shows the M spike level? Is it the 2-beta microglobulin, the IgG, IgA, or IgM, etc.? Really would like to know. Thanks.
Re: Diagnosis: MGUS
See an oncologist who's well versed in multiple myeloma. Have him/her explain it from A to Z.
But I'm sure someone well versed will chime in on this forum.
But I'm sure someone well versed will chime in on this forum.
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Stan W. - Name: Stan
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Myself
- When were you/they diagnosed?: SMM-April 2012
- Age at diagnosis: 58
Re: Diagnosis: MGUS
Yvie,
The test that is used to measure an M spike is Protein Electophoresis. Below is a pamphlet published by the International Myeloma Foundation that gives information about the test.
http://myeloma.org/pdfs/U-PEP-Eng2012(P)_f1web.pdf
Ron
The test that is used to measure an M spike is Protein Electophoresis. Below is a pamphlet published by the International Myeloma Foundation that gives information about the test.
http://myeloma.org/pdfs/U-PEP-Eng2012(P)_f1web.pdf
Ron
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Ron Harvot - Name: Ron Harvot
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Myself
- When were you/they diagnosed?: Feb 2009
- Age at diagnosis: 56
Re: Diagnosis: MGUS
Dear Yvie Dee,
You definitely need to be re-evaluated. Is your doctor confident the anemia is related to iron deficiency? Do you know what your ferritin level is? Do you feel better after iron infusions?
As far as the back pain, I worry about a pinched nerve, which might explain the leg weakness and foot pain. This could be from a disc herniation or myeloma. I would definitely have the back pain evaluated sooner rather than later.
Have you ever had a bone marrow biopsy? Have you found out what your M-spike level is as of yet?
Thanks!
Pete V.
You definitely need to be re-evaluated. Is your doctor confident the anemia is related to iron deficiency? Do you know what your ferritin level is? Do you feel better after iron infusions?
As far as the back pain, I worry about a pinched nerve, which might explain the leg weakness and foot pain. This could be from a disc herniation or myeloma. I would definitely have the back pain evaluated sooner rather than later.
Have you ever had a bone marrow biopsy? Have you found out what your M-spike level is as of yet?
Thanks!
Pete V.
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Dr. Peter Voorhees - Name: Peter Voorhees, M.D.
Beacon Medical Advisor
Re: Diagnosis: MGUS
Hi Dr Peter
After iron infusions, I don't feel any better. I still battle fatigue. My ferritin when last checked a year ago was 3. My hemoglobin 8.5. I haven't had a bone marrow because my doctor said he's more concerned about my anemia and doesn't really feel I need a BM now. I have asked him what my M spike level is and he answered "it's low" but never gave me a numeric level. I have copies of my blood labs but don't see anything on it that says M spike. How would I find that on my blood levels? I have had SPEP done so I have Albumin at 3.3 L, gamma globulins 1.8 H, abnormal protein band 1 0.3 H, abnormal protein band 2 0.3 H, Free Kappa serum 23.1 H and Free lambda serum 33.6 H and Free Kappa/Lambda ratio. 0.69 in range.
After iron infusions, I don't feel any better. I still battle fatigue. My ferritin when last checked a year ago was 3. My hemoglobin 8.5. I haven't had a bone marrow because my doctor said he's more concerned about my anemia and doesn't really feel I need a BM now. I have asked him what my M spike level is and he answered "it's low" but never gave me a numeric level. I have copies of my blood labs but don't see anything on it that says M spike. How would I find that on my blood levels? I have had SPEP done so I have Albumin at 3.3 L, gamma globulins 1.8 H, abnormal protein band 1 0.3 H, abnormal protein band 2 0.3 H, Free Kappa serum 23.1 H and Free lambda serum 33.6 H and Free Kappa/Lambda ratio. 0.69 in range.
Re: Diagnosis: MGUS
You have 2 M-spikes, both of which are 0.3 g/dL each, so the total between the two is 0.6 g/dL. This is low. Have you had the ferritin checked since starting iron or is the level of 3 from before you started?
Pete V.
Pete V.
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Dr. Peter Voorhees - Name: Peter Voorhees, M.D.
Beacon Medical Advisor
Re: Diagnosis: MGUS
Hi Dr Peter
2 M Spikes? How bad is that? As for my Ferritin I haven't had it checked for a while but According to my labs I hold in my possession, the highest has been 9 L. My doctor says my body doesn't store iron. It just goes through me. When I'm done with infusions, I'd say 4-5 months later my hemoglobin is down again. The highest My hemoglobin has gone after infusions is 11. I've been checked for Lupus and Celiac, both negative.
2 M Spikes? How bad is that? As for my Ferritin I haven't had it checked for a while but According to my labs I hold in my possession, the highest has been 9 L. My doctor says my body doesn't store iron. It just goes through me. When I'm done with infusions, I'd say 4-5 months later my hemoglobin is down again. The highest My hemoglobin has gone after infusions is 11. I've been checked for Lupus and Celiac, both negative.
Re: Diagnosis: MGUS
I had similiar pain. I finally had a CT scan. It revealed a lytic lesion in my Sacrum. A biopsy and MRI confirmed it to be a plasmacytoma. I would suggest asking for a CT scan.
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Ger
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