[athorpe]

MGUS, shingles, and risk of progression to myeloma

by athorpe on Mon Jul 28, 2014 8:55 am

Hi, I just found this site by accident when searching information for on shingles and post-herpetic neuralgia (PHN). I read the article posted Oct 22 2013 with information on how a large percentage of recently diagnosed multiple myeloma patients have had a case of shingles.

I was diagnosed with MGUS in 1986 after donating platelets. I was 35. I was followed very closely at first with bone marrow biopsies, blood work, etc. Then, as time has passed, I have tried to make the time between the checkups a few years apart as my blood work remains basically the same .

I understand about 1% of MGUS patients will go on to have multiple myeloma but now I wonder if having shingles (which I had in 11/13 and continue with some PHN) raises that percentage? I rarely am sick other than that horrid shingles.

I am glad to have found this site. Lots of interesting information. Ann

[Multibilly]

Re: MGUS, shingles, and risk of progression to myeloma

by Multibilly on Mon Jul 28, 2014 9:09 am

Take heart:

"...The researchers found that patients with monoclonal gammopathy of unde­termined significance (MGUS) were more than twice as likely as the general population to develop either a bacterial or viral infection.

However, they found infections did NOT increase an MGUS patient’s risk of progressing to multiple myeloma"

"Myeloma Precursor Disease MGUS May Increase Risk Of Developing Infections," The Myeloma Beacon, February 22, 2012.

[athorpe]

Re: MGUS, shingles, and risk of progression to myeloma

by athorpe on Mon Jul 28, 2014 12:33 pm

Thanks! Another good reference. Ann