My father has multiple myeloma. He had a stem cell transplant a year ago, but he is still struggling to get his paraprotein level down. It went down until number 6 and won't go any further. The doctor cut his chemo in half as a "maintenance."
What are his chances? How long can one live with a paraprotein level of 6?
I understand he has an aggressive case.
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Re: Paraprotein level stuck at 6 - prognosis?
Hello Merlin,
What units are being used for the measurement of your father's paraprotein (M-spike) level – g/dL or g/L?
In the States, paraprotein levels are usually measured in g/dL. In most other countries, the units are usually g/L.
The conversion between the two units is just a factor of 10. So a paraprotein level of 6 g/L is equal to 0.6 g/dL.
What units are being used for the measurement of your father's paraprotein (M-spike) level – g/dL or g/L?
In the States, paraprotein levels are usually measured in g/dL. In most other countries, the units are usually g/L.
The conversion between the two units is just a factor of 10. So a paraprotein level of 6 g/L is equal to 0.6 g/dL.
Re: Paraprotein level stuck at 6 - prognosis?
It's very hard to predict how long someone can live with a paraprotein of 6 g/l. I have been at that level, in the US 0.6 g/dl, for over 2 years since I relapsed in December 2012 and restarted treatment with Revlimid 15 mg and dex 20 mg once per week. My Revlimid dose was decreased to 10 mg almost a year ago and the paraprotein has remained the same with the decreased dose. I am healthy at this level and have had no problems with the myeloma since restarting treatment. In fact, my other blood test numbers are now the best that they've been since prior to being diagnosed with myeloma 7 years ago.
So, you have to look at the entire picture of your father's status. How is he feeling? What are the levels of all of his other blood tests? How are his bones, etc? The paraprotein number doesn't tell the whole story. And, it is better to be consistent at a level, even if it isn't dropping, than to see the paraprotein number rising.
All the best to your father,
Nancy in Phila
So, you have to look at the entire picture of your father's status. How is he feeling? What are the levels of all of his other blood tests? How are his bones, etc? The paraprotein number doesn't tell the whole story. And, it is better to be consistent at a level, even if it isn't dropping, than to see the paraprotein number rising.
All the best to your father,
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
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