Hi,
I´d like to get some consultation regarding the symptoms related to MGUS. I was diagnosed with M component/paraprotein a year ago and my doctor states that there should be no symptoms at all when suffering from MGUS. This summer I have started to experience frequent attacks of serious fatigue and migraine. They appear nowadays about 3-4 times a week - and this is hitting my capability to work more and more seriously. I visited recently a neurologist who did an MRI on my brain - and there were no signs of tumors or other indications on what might cause the headaches and fatigue.
My question is - is it possible to have this type of symptoms with MGUS?
Thanking you for your kind answers.
BR
Johannah
Forums
8 posts
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Johannah - Name: Johannah
- Who do you know with myeloma?: MGUS
- When were you/they diagnosed?: 2012
- Age at diagnosis: 49
Re: Fatigue and frequent migraine/headaches with MGUS
Johannah,
I was diagnosed with Multiple Myeloma about 2 months ago and started treatment shortly thereafter. My M-spike when I was diagnosed was 4.0 g/dl and I had slight anemia. Prior to my diagnosis I had no clue that I had multiple myeloma...my diagnosis was discovered as a result of an annual physical exam. But when I look back at the previous 1-2 years, I was having an increasing number of headaches. And my energy level was a little lower. For 6-12 months before I was diagnosed it was not uncommon for me to have 2-3 headaches per week and I was downing many cups of coffee/caffeine per day in attempt to ward them off. When I couldn't ward them off with coffee/caffeine, I'd try ibuprofen to get rid of them and that didn't always work. I've now gone through almost 2 treatment cycles of VRD (Velcade, Revlimid and Dexamethasone) and my headaches are completely gone. After the 1st cycle, my M-spike dropped from 4.0 g/dl to 0.8 g/dl. My headaches went away immediately after I started treatment. I don't know for sure of the drop in the monoclonal protein in my blood has gotten rid of the headaches or if the dexamethasone has eliminated them...or something else(??)...or if it's just a coincidence (I don't think it is). I read somewhere that dexamethasone is sometime prescribed for migraines. I've always been slightly headache prone but the frequency of my headaches was increasing over the last couple of years. I can only guess that I had MGUS or multiple myeloma for a good portion of that time. I don't know if headaches are a common symptom of MGUS but in my case I think it was.
I was diagnosed with Multiple Myeloma about 2 months ago and started treatment shortly thereafter. My M-spike when I was diagnosed was 4.0 g/dl and I had slight anemia. Prior to my diagnosis I had no clue that I had multiple myeloma...my diagnosis was discovered as a result of an annual physical exam. But when I look back at the previous 1-2 years, I was having an increasing number of headaches. And my energy level was a little lower. For 6-12 months before I was diagnosed it was not uncommon for me to have 2-3 headaches per week and I was downing many cups of coffee/caffeine per day in attempt to ward them off. When I couldn't ward them off with coffee/caffeine, I'd try ibuprofen to get rid of them and that didn't always work. I've now gone through almost 2 treatment cycles of VRD (Velcade, Revlimid and Dexamethasone) and my headaches are completely gone. After the 1st cycle, my M-spike dropped from 4.0 g/dl to 0.8 g/dl. My headaches went away immediately after I started treatment. I don't know for sure of the drop in the monoclonal protein in my blood has gotten rid of the headaches or if the dexamethasone has eliminated them...or something else(??)...or if it's just a coincidence (I don't think it is). I read somewhere that dexamethasone is sometime prescribed for migraines. I've always been slightly headache prone but the frequency of my headaches was increasing over the last couple of years. I can only guess that I had MGUS or multiple myeloma for a good portion of that time. I don't know if headaches are a common symptom of MGUS but in my case I think it was.
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DallasGG - Name: Kent
- Who do you know with myeloma?: myself
- When were you/they diagnosed?: 6/20/2013
- Age at diagnosis: 56
Re: Fatigue and frequent migraine/headaches with MGUS
Here is a link to the Mayo Clinic on anemia. Fatigue and Headaches are symptoms as the anemia progresses.
I would talk to your doctor and let him know of your symptoms, he may run more tests to see of the MGUS has progressed into multiple myeloma.
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/anemia/DS00321/DSECTION=symptoms
Ron
I would talk to your doctor and let him know of your symptoms, he may run more tests to see of the MGUS has progressed into multiple myeloma.
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/anemia/DS00321/DSECTION=symptoms
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: Fatigue and frequent migraine/headaches with MGUS
I would suggest seeing a multiple myeloma specialist if you aren't already doing so. I have MGUS with a few symptoms...peripheral neuropathy being the most distinct. I am monitored twice yearly, and feel confident that under the scrutiny of a specialist, changes will be more readily recognized.
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Paulayl
Re: Fatigue and frequent migraine/headaches with MGUS
Diagnosed with MGUS since 2004. As far as I know m spike still under 4, gradual increase each year so far with one year small decrease when I lost lots of weight on wellbutrin. I felt ill from the Wellbutrin and was surprised to see all the mgus numbers way down anyway, maybe just from the weight loss. Mgus numbers also went down briefly once after taking a round of Biaxin antibiotic. Small freelight numbers now that were not there at first. More symptoms at first than now. I'm doing well now and try to do things to balance and negate the symptoms and feeling so much better. Fatigue and work stress so great in 2006 that I was falling asleep during hour long work commute and carrying six power drinks, 3 to get me there and 3 to get back home. I early retired and began part time work. Still have fatigue and tingling in feet. The fatigue is not all the time. More like an occasional "must lay down now" feeing. I had much upper respiratory inflammation now controlled most of the time, not as bad as in the past at all.. One particular antibiotic reaction for the chronic ear infections left me with foot tendon inflammation and tingling in my feet. Almost mostly controlled at this point, but only recently diagnosed with the feet tendon scar tissue as the ongoing pain problem and working on that now (no surgery). But have had pneumonia once last year, first time ever and a flu (I think) last December that I wasn't sure I would recover at the time. No headaches ever, except during last winter flu.
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Elbee
Re: Fatigue and frequent migraine/headaches with MGUS
My initial complaint was extreme, at time, debilitating fatigue. Blood tests initially showed a high Sed Rate which was monitored for about 9 months prior to my seeing an RA. Tests the RA ran indicated an M Spike and I was referred to a Hem/Onc at age 47 in 2011. Hem/Onc proceeded to do bone marrow biopsy, urine and full skeletal survey. A diagnosis of high risk MGUS was made and I am monitored every six months.
I have experienced extreme fatigue that I just have to push through and have suffered from more infections within the last two years since diagnosis than ever before. The flu, sinus infection, bacterial infections, etc. I do have tingling in my feet and at times restless legs and also have recurrent skin lesions that "flare" on my face and arms for about 4 - 5 months at a time and then goes away for 4 - 5 months. I have been tested for Lupus and such but right now, it's just MGUS.
No headaches but fatigue and neuropathy and joint pain are fairly consistent. Good luck and let's hope we don't progress from MGUS to SMM or multiple myeloma anytime soon.
I have experienced extreme fatigue that I just have to push through and have suffered from more infections within the last two years since diagnosis than ever before. The flu, sinus infection, bacterial infections, etc. I do have tingling in my feet and at times restless legs and also have recurrent skin lesions that "flare" on my face and arms for about 4 - 5 months at a time and then goes away for 4 - 5 months. I have been tested for Lupus and such but right now, it's just MGUS.
No headaches but fatigue and neuropathy and joint pain are fairly consistent. Good luck and let's hope we don't progress from MGUS to SMM or multiple myeloma anytime soon.
Re: Fatigue and frequent migraine/headaches with MGUS
Hi,
It is possible to have neurologic symptoms associated with monoclonal proteins. Most commonly these manifest as abnormal sensations generally in the hands and feet. I am not aware of an association with migrane and monoclonal proteins however.
It is possible to have neurologic symptoms associated with monoclonal proteins. Most commonly these manifest as abnormal sensations generally in the hands and feet. I am not aware of an association with migrane and monoclonal proteins however.
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Dr. Jason Valent - Name: Jason Valent, M.D.
Beacon Medical Advisor
Re: Fatigue and frequent migraine/headaches with MGUS
"MGUS" a misnomer. Lots of significance. Use graphs to follow lab results. Free Light Chain tests best for detecting early change.presenting as odd symptoms. Fatigue easily caused by falling Hb.
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Scandiamed
8 posts
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