[Sukhraj8@yahoo.com]

Myeloma ratio question, help??

by Sukhraj8@yahoo.com on Fri Feb 18, 2011 3:02 am

Hello all!

I have a question regarding the latest reports of my dad. He was diagnosed in September 2010 and ever since he has improved drastically and his ratio number came down to around 4. The normal range I believe is 0 to 2.63 or something similar. But in his latest report after 6 weeks of chemo(twice a week) his ratio increased to around 5. It was a 0.6 increase, is this normal?? Does it go up and down when it gets to low numbers?? Also how long does it usually take to get into normal numbers?? By the way have any of you experienced tingling sensation because of chemo?? How do you help that?? Another thing I want to know, is there a way of telling how aggressive the myeloma is??

Thanks a lot guys.
I'm only 17 and don't understand this much as of now. I research on it everyday!!

[sukhraj8@yahoo.com]

Re: Myeloma ratio question, help??

by sukhraj8@yahoo.com on Fri Feb 18, 2011 7:28 pm

Im sorry for the confusion, but i am talking about the lambda free light chain numbers. My dad's number went up 0.6 during the 6 week treatment that is still going on, and the normal range for it is 0.57-2.63. So is that normal?? Does it usually go up and down like that? Have any of you experienced this?

[Kansas]

Re: Myeloma ratio question, help??

by Kansas on Sat Feb 19, 2011 10:25 am

The tingling sensation could be the start of peripheral neuropathy - a side affect of the chemo - especially if he is on Velcade. If it gets worse, his doctor can prescribe something - my husband takes neurotin. As to the lab results, I don't have an answer - but it appears he is responding well to treatment. My very best to you and your dad. Glad you found this site as there are a lot of other folks here that are always willing to share imformation and their knowledge. Kay

[Sarah]

Re: Myeloma ratio question, help??

by Sarah on Sun Feb 20, 2011 1:16 am

It's great that you've found this site and are actively involved in researching for your dad. You will probably notice that his numbers (all the numbers) may fluctuate from time to time. Ask your dad's oncologist which of the numbers, on the lab report, he pays the most attention to.

Also, get a notebook, and each time your dad goes for treatment get him to ask for a copy of his lab results. Keep them in the notebook, so you can refer back to them and track his progress.

I also keep a list of my husband's medications in my notebook, and I take it (and a notepad) with me when we have a meeting with his doctor. Make a list of any questions that you have and take that with you to the doctor.

I commend you for taking an active role. This is a big responsibility.

Good luck!

Sarah

[turbineman]

Re: Myeloma ratio question, help??

by turbineman on Sun Mar 06, 2011 2:24 pm

Sukhra,
Two things I would offer from my experience. When the Free kappa light chain goes up it is not neccessarily bad. More important is where the M-protein spike is. The spike tells you how much M-protein the Myeloima is makeing in the blood. This my doctors tells me because my light chain is up and it sends the ratio way out. Review this reading with your doctor.
The second thing is the Neurotin is useless for neuropathy. It was in the Wall Street Journal that the manufacturer had been FDA approved for Neurotin to be effective and used as a Seizure medicine. The Federal Government found out that the manufacturer falsified the testing and trial results for Neuropathy to show it was effective. They are sueing them for all the Medicaid and Medicare money they spent on Neurotin. ANd the manufacturer has done a great job of convincing the doctors that it is effective. What angers me more than the money is the impact on your liver processing out a useless drug. We multiple myeloma patients don't need that at all. I have Neuropathy from Thalidomide and took this for two years. During that time I had no improvement at all and had to interrupt Chemo to give my liver a break. What I now take and is recommended is B Complex vitamins. I have experienced some reduction in my finger numbness since taking B Comperx. A week ago I attended a Patient and Caregiver seminar in Boca Raton Florida with the International Myeloma Foundation and they recommended the B complex vitamins for this.
I hope this is helpful and do discuss my opinions here with your doctor.

Good luck and best wishes,
Hugh