[Canuck Bob]

Experiences with M spike post SCT?

by Canuck Bob on Thu Feb 09, 2012 3:56 pm

I'm trying to understand the longer term issues with M spikes. My transplant was on sept. 21 2011 and the doctor stated I was in remission in December. At my last test day in early Feb. my M spike was at 1.9 (.19 US, see post below). I'm wondering if it will continue to fall? I have read reports of the M spike falling for a period of time after the SCT on here. I started Rev maintenance on Jan 3. I'm now 15mg 21/7 with monthly bone juice (zometa).

Also is there a range of M spike that would be considered as low risk?

I will be talking with my ONC Feb. 29 about this but was hoping for real experiences from others with multiple myeloma.

Last edited by Canuck Bob on Thu Feb 09, 2012 7:25 pm, edited 1 time in total.

[rumnting]

Re: Experiences with M spike post SCT?

by rumnting on Thu Feb 09, 2012 5:57 pm

My husband's transplant was October 7th. At his 60 day check up his m-spike was 1.3. He was told he had a partial response. The m-spike about 5 weeks later was 0.8. That was before resuming any chemo. He is now back on RVD, at a lower dose and frequency than pre-transplant.

[Canuck Bob]

Re: Experiences with M spike post SCT?

by Canuck Bob on Thu Feb 09, 2012 6:33 pm

It is stories like yours that had me wondering. I have just now learned we Canadians use a different measurement standard for our M spike and most blood work as well.

My numbers seemed high for a guy in remission, 1.9. Now I realize that would be .19 in the USA standard. I should have clued in when my Doc said the results were below the minimum the local lab test could discern and not reliable. Ours is gr/ltr the American is gr/dltr. It is also encouraging to know that the ASCT transplant recovery period includes a reduction in M spikes over time as well.

I'll say a quick prayer for your husband, cancer is such a bummer even on good days.

Would long term members want to share their info regarding the return of the M spike?

[NStewart]

Re: Experiences with M spike post SCT?

by NStewart on Sat Feb 11, 2012 2:05 am

Canuck Bob-
My m-spike didn't start to decrease until about 6 months post transplant and then disappeared. About 16 months after transplant it began to rise again, but was under 1.0 (US numbers). My oncologist said that anything under 1.0 was really a guess on the part of the lab. He said that he wouldn't recommend starting treatment again until it rose above 1.0. We've had the discussion on what treatment we would start with so that when it's time I can start again pretty quickly.

You are still early in the post transplant period. Relax and enjoy the benefits of having had a good response to your transplant.
Nancy

[Canuck Bob]

Re: Experiences with M spike post SCT?

by Canuck Bob on Sat Feb 11, 2012 1:01 pm

Thanks Nancy, I am so tickled to be in remission. It was verified a little before Christmas. My family and I had a very special holiday. I must admit I thought post transplant would be a return to pre cancer physically. Isn't denial bliss for a week or two, lol. My new reality is still evolving and I'm blessed with a great team and cancer center a couple miles from home. My heart really goes out to the folks I read about who have to travel for treatment.

I've just celebrated my 1 year since diagnosis of stage 1 multiple myeloma and already 4 1/2 months post ASCT!