Hi all. I was diagnosed with MGUS IgG kappa in May. Have gone through multiple tests including blood work, 24-hour urine, complete body x-ray, ultrasound. Bones and kidneys are good and one of my blood results was 17.9. Hem/onc says within range so go back in December for bloodwork and follow up in January.
I was reading through some posts yesterday and it made me wonder. Early June went to Europe and next day when I got home got a cold which lasted about a month. But the cough persists. Yesterday the back of my right knee was very sore and same today, but only when I walk.
Do you think I should talk to family doctor or could this be MGUS-related?
Thanks for any suggestions.
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Cdngunner - Name: Jim
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Not much
- When were you/they diagnosed?: June 2014
- Age at diagnosis: 59
Re: New member from Toronto, have MGUS
Hi Jim,
I have high risk myeloma and not MGUS so my answer might not fit what MGUS people would do. I don't know.
When I have an infection, my oncologist likes it if I visit my family doctor if possible since he is more experienced in seeing what kind of infectious stuff is going around. Then, I usually call my oncologist to make sure that med is okay with the other cancer drugs I am taking.
So, for the cough that won't go away, I would see the family doctor and make sure he's aware of your MGUS. I would also, call the oncologist / hematologist and advise him that you've had a persistent cough and you're concerned about your knee pain. Maybe you should request an MRI or X-ray of your femur and knee.
It doesn't hurt to put everyone in the loop just in case your MGUS progresses. That being said, hopefully these are just coincidental. But you have to be your own advocate.
I don't know a lot about MGUS but it seems like you'd see some numbers out of range before things would be related to your MGUS. Probably a phone call or visit to your oncologist could clarify this.
Good luck and I hope you feel better soon.
I have high risk myeloma and not MGUS so my answer might not fit what MGUS people would do. I don't know.
When I have an infection, my oncologist likes it if I visit my family doctor if possible since he is more experienced in seeing what kind of infectious stuff is going around. Then, I usually call my oncologist to make sure that med is okay with the other cancer drugs I am taking.
So, for the cough that won't go away, I would see the family doctor and make sure he's aware of your MGUS. I would also, call the oncologist / hematologist and advise him that you've had a persistent cough and you're concerned about your knee pain. Maybe you should request an MRI or X-ray of your femur and knee.
It doesn't hurt to put everyone in the loop just in case your MGUS progresses. That being said, hopefully these are just coincidental. But you have to be your own advocate.
I don't know a lot about MGUS but it seems like you'd see some numbers out of range before things would be related to your MGUS. Probably a phone call or visit to your oncologist could clarify this.
Good luck and I hope you feel better soon.
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Joy - Name: Joy
- Who do you know with myeloma?: myself
- When were you/they diagnosed?: May 2013
- Age at diagnosis: 52
Re: New member from Toronto, have MGUS
Hi there,
I think Joy gave you some good advice. I have MGUS and I've been trying to learn as much as I can about it.
That being said, unless your oncologist suggests otherwise, it's probably safe to consult with your regular physician about these things, but to point out that you have a monoclonal gammopathy so that if something concerns him/her, they can investigate further.
I get very frequent sinus infections, ear infections, etc that last a long time and I end up taking multiple courses of antibiotics. Still, I have a pretty low risk MGUS so at least for now, it does not appear that there's any kind of progression, the MGUS is stable
All the best to you and please do check the MGUS forum below.
I think Joy gave you some good advice. I have MGUS and I've been trying to learn as much as I can about it.
That being said, unless your oncologist suggests otherwise, it's probably safe to consult with your regular physician about these things, but to point out that you have a monoclonal gammopathy so that if something concerns him/her, they can investigate further.
I get very frequent sinus infections, ear infections, etc that last a long time and I end up taking multiple courses of antibiotics. Still, I have a pretty low risk MGUS so at least for now, it does not appear that there's any kind of progression, the MGUS is stable
All the best to you and please do check the MGUS forum below.
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Toni - Name: Toni
- Who do you know with myeloma?: self - MGUS
- When were you/they diagnosed?: April 2014
- Age at diagnosis: 51
Re: New member from Toronto, have MGUS
When I was in the MGUS / smoldering stage I asked my oncologist who I should call if I got sick or developed any of the things that he warned me about. At the time he told me to call his office first and let them decide whether they should see me or see my primary. I never had to deal with this until my arm broke, and then there was no question that I needed to see my oncologist to start treatment and my orthopedist to take care of my arm.
Joy gave you good advice to see your primary, but to also let your oncologist know what's going on. Hopefully there is nothing serious going on.
Nancy in Phila
Joy gave you good advice to see your primary, but to also let your oncologist know what's going on. Hopefully there is nothing serious going on.
Nancy in Phila
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NStewart - Name: Nancy Stewart
- Who do you know with myeloma?: self
- When were you/they diagnosed?: 3/08
- Age at diagnosis: 60
Re: New member from Toronto, have MGUS
I'm in Toronto Ontario too We have access to up to date myeloma doctors here, so I'm happy with my specialist. I am in between treatment right now in a watch and wait stage. A lot of my care is transferred back to my family doctor.
Situations like you describe, since I am full blown myeloma and have already been through treatment and a stem cell transplant antibiotics, are common for me if I get sick. My family doc has same day appointments or I see the PA or nurse practitioner. Then at my myeloma clinic appointments I "report" what has been happening with me (I go there every two months). My family doc will email results to my hematologist if needed.
When I was in active treatment I had to report everything to my hematolgist (fevers etc) and you are going to the hospital so frequently it is easier to just see your oncologist.
We have access to up to date myeloma doctors here, so I'm happy with my specialist. I am in between treatment right now in a watch and wait stage. A lot of my care is transferred back to my family doctor. Situations like you describe, since I am full blown myeloma and have already been through treatment and a stem cell transplant antibiotics, are common for me if I get sick. My family doc has same day appointments or I see the PA or nurse practitioner. Then at my myeloma clinic appointments I "report" what has been happening with me (I go there every two months). My family doc will email results to my hematologist if needed.
When I was in active treatment I had to report everything to my hematolgist (fevers etc) and you are going to the hospital so frequently it is easier to just see your oncologist.
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lys2012 - Name: Alyssa
- When were you/they diagnosed?: 2010, Toronto, Canada
- Age at diagnosis: 32
Re: New member from Toronto, have MGUS
Hi Joy, Toni, NStewart & Lys2012,
Thank you for your responses and caring. Everyone seems to be of the opinion that I should see my family doctor but also keep my hematologist / oncologist updated as well. That I will do. Common sense I guess, but sometimes you just feel confused about the whole thing.
Thank you again and for being here. Good luck to all of you.
Jim
Thank you for your responses and caring. Everyone seems to be of the opinion that I should see my family doctor but also keep my hematologist / oncologist updated as well. That I will do. Common sense I guess, but sometimes you just feel confused about the whole thing.
Thank you again and for being here. Good luck to all of you.
Jim
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Cdngunner - Name: Jim
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Not much
- When were you/they diagnosed?: June 2014
- Age at diagnosis: 59
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