[Ella]

How bad are these indicators?

by Ella on Wed Jun 18, 2014 11:11 am

My mother was diagnosed with multiple myeloma in May. She is 71, otherwise very healthy, and in good shape. She has anemia, but no pain, and her organs are not affected (we were told).

She was anemic since January, but family doctor failed to recognize any issues, so it went on until she was feeling very tired, and had breathing problems. She went for some blood tests, and multiple myeloma was discovered.

Her Hb went from 101 in January, to 93 in May, down again to 86 in June. She caught pneumonia in June, and was treated. She's recovered from that now.

She has not seen a specialist yet. We were told to wait until August for an appointment, because it is not urgent. Another clinic told us, she can't be seen before another 2 weeks.

Can someone please tell me if her numbers are worrisome, and we need to send her to ER, or do something for her to be seen?

We are desperate at this point, and feel hopeless.

Her most recent counts:

Beta-2 Micro Globulin - 5.9 mg/L

Hb 86 (Hb = 93 in May 14, Hb = 101 in Jan 14 )
WBC 3.5
RBC 2.75
Hct 0.266
MCV 96.9
Lymphocytes 0.86

IgG 41.1
Protein, Serum 96 g/L
Total Protein 96 g/L (normal range 65 - 80)

Albumin - 32 g/L (38 - 50)

Ferritin - 305 ug/L (normal range 4.6 - 204)

Iron Total - 4 umol/L (9 - 32)

AST - 54 U/L (5 - 34)
ALT 46 U/L (7 - 40)

Calcium - normal
Creatinine - normal

Plasma cells = 38% (in May)

Thank you.

[Dr. Edward Libby]

Re: How bad are these indicators?

by Dr. Edward Libby on Wed Jun 18, 2014 8:02 pm

Hello Ella,

These numbers do not imply a medical emergency to me. But ... if your mother becomes so weak that she cannot walk or is very weak, then she should be seen by a physician as she may need a blood transfusion. Her hemoglobin (Hb) is getting pretty low. She may be severely anemic by August.

For now the key is her strength. If she becomes really weak she needs to be seen.

I am guessing that you live outside of the US and in a health care system that is different from the US. One option to get access to the best drugs is to participate in research studies. The studies often make drugs available that otherwise are not accessible in many countries.

I am sorry your hands are tied in terms of getting her evaluated and treated. I wish your mother the best of luck in getting treated and getting better soon.

[cindylouise]

Re: How bad are these indicators?

by cindylouise on Wed Jun 18, 2014 8:46 pm

I would just like to add to Dr, Libby's reply. Obviously, if she should continue to be short of breath or have other symptoms that are worrisome, consult a doctor. Or head to an ER.

Sometimes as the patient we can become overcome by the worry, and only you are seeing your mother's day-to-day condition. You will always need to be an advocate for her.

Best wishes to you going forward.

[Ella]

Re: How bad are these indicators?

by Ella on Thu Jun 19, 2014 10:00 am

Thank you Dr Libby for your quick response. Will keep your advice in mind, and keep watching her.

I live in Canada, and despite being referred to one of the best hospitals in the world for cancer care, due to the bureaucracies in the public system, my mom's latest blood tests were not reviewed by the doctor when a decision was made. We're told yesterday her file will be reviewed again today.

Thank you cindylousie for your comment too. Her daughters are at the moment her best advocates. Unfortunately sometime patients fall through the cracks, despite having excellent doctors and facilities.