[MJW2208]

MGUS and M spike and IgG fluctuations

by MJW2208 on Tue Dec 09, 2014 7:14 pm

Hi everyone,

I was diagnosed with MGUS in July following a lot of testing including a bone marrow biopsy. My monoclonal protein level was 5%. My oncologist said blood work every six months and if things were ok, we could go to once a year.

I just had my first follow up and things are basically ok but I was discouraged that she wanted to move my blood work up to every four months because of continued increases in my M spike and IgG. I know fluctuation is quite normal but can anyone tell me how much fluctuation that is?

My M spike level was 1.37 g/dL on June 13, 2.19 g/dL on June 27, and the latest test on November 24 was 2.39 g/dL. I would consider those modest increases.

My IgG was 2470 mg/dL on June 27 and on this latest test on November 24 it was 2990.

Are these still relatively normal fluctuations?

Thanks for any help you can give me.

[Multibilly]

Re: MGUS and M spike and IgG fluctuations

by Multibilly on Fri Dec 12, 2014 7:50 am

I would agree that these are modest increases. But given that the trend is that your values are increasing, getting tested three times a year seems about right given where you are. Many folks that become symptomatic become so fairly rapidly, so getting tested more frequently as your numbers increase is prudent.

The other thing to note is that you only have about 5 months of data here. You may very well find that your numbers drop the next couple of times you get tested ... but there is no telling.

[MJW2208]

Re: MGUS and M spike and IgG fluctuations

by MJW2208 on Wed Dec 17, 2014 12:47 pm

Thanks for the info, MultiBilly. Much appreciated. I emailed my Oncologist as well. What I was HOPING for was a specific number, as in "once your M Spike hits x.x, that's the cutoff." It's the control freak part of me. What I got was basically that its more looking at the trend line and there is no hard and fast rule on any numbers.

I hate that answer, but I get it. This is a very uncooperative malady !

Thanks again, though.