[moses]

localized back pain and high protein levels.

by moses on Thu Apr 11, 2013 8:26 pm

I'm hoping this forum isn't going to be a regular stop for me, but the possibility is there.

I'm a 35 year old woman who has just had her second child (4 months ago). About 7 weeks ago I started having back pain and went to the doctor who dismissed it as gas, I went back and they looked at me as a bit of a complainer but I had some blood and urine work done and it came back with a higher than normal protein level.

Today I was told that I might have multiple myeloma because of the back pain and elevated blood proteins. The doctor told me he didn't want to worry me and I've been sent for more blood/urine tests as well as an x-ray and an ultrasound.

This is still a big "what if" but it has my husband and I going nuts and was hoping someone with experience might be able to answer a couple of questions.

- is an elevated protein level of "double" (sorry I can't be more accurate than that) very high?

- With my pregnancy I had been having regular urine tests which I'm pretty sure check for protein levels, how quickly do protein levels elevate when multiple myeloma "begins" for lack of a better word.

- I'm hoping it's coming down to bad breastfeeding posture and dehydration, how dehydrated would you have to get to show high protein levels? I'm assuming if it's double, I would have to be pretty dehydrated?

It all comes down to waiting on the test results, but any information would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks, Moses.

[Multibilly]

Re: localized back pain and high protein levels.

by Multibilly on Fri Apr 12, 2013 9:28 am

Moses,

I know it's tough advice to follow, but I'd really recommend waiting for the next round of test results before worrying yourself sick over this. You can't figure out what's going on from just the scant info you currently have in hand.

Just as an FYI, if your doc suspects multiple myeloma may be a possibility, he likely ordered the following tests listed under LABORATORY TESTS in this URL. As you can see, there's quite a bit of pending information to be processed.

http://myeloma.org/ArticlePage.action?tabId=1&menuId=322&articleId=3177&aTab=-1

Hope this helps.

[moses]

Re: localized back pain and high protein levels.

by moses on Tue Apr 16, 2013 5:16 pm

Thank you so much for your kind words, I had an appointment this morning to go over my recent battery of tests and my blood/urine protein levels have gone back to normal and my chest x-rays were clear. This was an incredibly long weekend and has forever put multiple myeloma, smoldering myloma and MGUS into my vocabulary.

Words are failing me right now but after a weekend of living with the thought of having multiple myeloma, I can say that both my and my husbands thoughts are with you. Here is hoping that some of the trials prove fruitful and before long there are even more improved treatments.

Thank you again for listening to a very scared woman, I wish everyone the best of luck .

Moses.

[kore]

Re: localized back pain and high protein levels.

by kore on Tue Apr 30, 2013 6:54 pm

Dear Moses.

So glad the test results were good!

I've been my mother's care partner for four years with this awful disease and really appreciate your well wishes.

Take care!