Six months on from my stem cell transplant, I feel really fit and well. Really, really well. I am cycling around 150 to 200 miles (240 to 320 km) per week, and feeling just about back to normal, which for me was life revolving around riding my bike. Diet and sleep are all good, and even my neuropathy has virtually disappeared. I even toyed with the thought that a miracle had happened, and somehow my myeloma had been eradicated or, at the very least, I was set for a long remission.
Then I saw my oncologist today to discover that my latest blood test shows an increase in my M-spike from 2.3 g/l (0.23 g/dl) at 100 days to 3.9 g/l (0.39 g/l) today.
Nobody is panicking yet (except me), and I will have another blood test in a month to see if the value is a trend or a blip. Does the paraprotein value jump around, or could this be a relapse?
I remain positive and focused but also a little worried.
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Re: M-spike increasing 6 months post stem cell transplant
Hi Rory,
It's possible your consultant may suggest you start a maintenance treatment following your stem cell transplant, depending on perhaps three or more blood test results.
Although I have not had a transplant myself, my M-spike numbers were allowed to increase to almost ten times what yours are at this time, 35 g/L (3.5 g/dL) over a nine month period, only then did I start treatment with Pomalyst / Imnovid (pomalidomide), which so far has given good results in maintaining stability.
I can understand your concern because it would be wonderful to see a zero M-spike. Please let us know how things go.
Best Wishes from Victor L.
It's possible your consultant may suggest you start a maintenance treatment following your stem cell transplant, depending on perhaps three or more blood test results.
Although I have not had a transplant myself, my M-spike numbers were allowed to increase to almost ten times what yours are at this time, 35 g/L (3.5 g/dL) over a nine month period, only then did I start treatment with Pomalyst / Imnovid (pomalidomide), which so far has given good results in maintaining stability.
I can understand your concern because it would be wonderful to see a zero M-spike. Please let us know how things go.
Best Wishes from Victor L.
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Victor L - Name: Victor L
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Me
- When were you/they diagnosed?: 2012
- Age at diagnosis: 58
Re: M-spike increasing 6 months post stem cell transplant
I have the results of the latest test which shows another increase to 51 g/l (5.1 g/dl) and a slight drop in haemoglobin to 129. Everything else is still within normal range. I still feel really well and I am just back from a week vacation in the sun during which I walked around 8-10 miles a day.
I see my oncologist in 10 days to discuss options, which will inevitably include treatment. I am wondering, however, if it is possible for the paraprotein level to stabilise without intervention, and at what paraprotein level treatment is considered necessary.
I see my oncologist in 10 days to discuss options, which will inevitably include treatment. I am wondering, however, if it is possible for the paraprotein level to stabilise without intervention, and at what paraprotein level treatment is considered necessary.
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Rory - Who do you know with myeloma?: Me
- When were you/they diagnosed?: Dec2015
- Age at diagnosis: 65
Re: M-spike increasing 6 months post stem cell transplant
Rory,
Your new numbers does suggest your paraprotein has gone up quite a bit in a relatively short space of time. I am very interested to hear what your doctor has to say. Good to hear that you are in good health and are feeling well.
Your new numbers does suggest your paraprotein has gone up quite a bit in a relatively short space of time. I am very interested to hear what your doctor has to say. Good to hear that you are in good health and are feeling well.
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wenlock00 - Name: Wenlock00
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Me
- When were you/they diagnosed?: March 2017
- Age at diagnosis: 58
Re: M-spike increasing 6 months post stem cell transplant
Hi Rory,
An M-spike of 5.1 g/dL (51 g/l) is relatively high. You can see in this poll that was done a while back here in the forum that most myeloma patients when they're diagnosed with active multiple myeloma have an M-spike that is less than 5.1 g/dL.
This doesn't mean that you're in any danger with an M-spike of 5.1 g/dL. What it does mean, though, is that you might want to contact your doctor's office to have them ask the doctor to take a quick look at your latest lab results and decide whether you may need to be seen earlier than you're currently scheduled to see him/her.
Are your free light chain levels and ratio (kappa, lambda, and kappa-lambda ratio) also being followed and, if so, what were those latest results?
Also, were your creatinine and/or calcium levels checked in your most recent round of blood tests? If so, what were those results?
Good luck!
An M-spike of 5.1 g/dL (51 g/l) is relatively high. You can see in this poll that was done a while back here in the forum that most myeloma patients when they're diagnosed with active multiple myeloma have an M-spike that is less than 5.1 g/dL.
This doesn't mean that you're in any danger with an M-spike of 5.1 g/dL. What it does mean, though, is that you might want to contact your doctor's office to have them ask the doctor to take a quick look at your latest lab results and decide whether you may need to be seen earlier than you're currently scheduled to see him/her.
Are your free light chain levels and ratio (kappa, lambda, and kappa-lambda ratio) also being followed and, if so, what were those latest results?
Also, were your creatinine and/or calcium levels checked in your most recent round of blood tests? If so, what were those results?
Good luck!
Re: M-spike increasing 6 months post stem cell transplant
So the numbers are still heading north. Now at 7.1 g/dl and haemoglobin at 125. All other blood results are completely normal and I continue to feel well. I think I am noticing the reduced haemoglobin when I cycle hard, but if I slow down and ride easier it is fine over 40 miles or more.
My oncologist is starting me on treatment again next week. As I understand it, the options are cyclophosphamide and dexamethasone or Revlimid. She thinks I will tolerate both.
Thanks!
My oncologist is starting me on treatment again next week. As I understand it, the options are cyclophosphamide and dexamethasone or Revlimid. She thinks I will tolerate both.
Thanks!
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Rory - Who do you know with myeloma?: Me
- When were you/they diagnosed?: Dec2015
- Age at diagnosis: 65
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