[dm89]

Any link between lupus, MGUS, and immunosuppressants?

by dm89 on Sun Dec 02, 2018 2:25 am

Good evening everyone,

I am new to MGUS and to writing in forums in general. I was diagnosed with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) in 2007 when I was only 17 years old. I had severe joint pain, joint swelling, and joint stiffness as well as severe fatigue and the characteristic butterfly rash. My ANA was positive and all of my inflammatory markers as well as low C3/C4. With further workup, my anti-dsDNA was noted to be positive and my anti-Ro leading to a diagnosis of Sjogren's as well.

In 2013, I start on Benlysta (belimumab) for my lupus. Suddenly in the summer of 2018 my WBC and absolute neutrophil count went low. With following blood work it came back up to what my usual is, which is just a little compromised (WBC at 4.2). However, by September it happened again during routine blood work. This time I decided to go see a hematologist. During that work­up, it was noted that I had a spike of 0.4 in the gamma globulin region in the SPEP blood work. Immuno­fix­a­tion indicated an IgG kappa monoclonal antibody, and so now I've been diagnosed with MGUS. Further testing is still pending.

So I am wondering if there is any link between lupus and MGUS, and also between immuno­suppressants and MGUS.

Thank you.

[Merryl]

Re: Any link between lupus, MGUS, and immunosuppressants?

by Merryl on Wed Dec 05, 2018 12:05 pm

Hi.

I have a Sjogren's diagnosis and it has caused confusion for the doctors during my diagnosis process, that is still going on. The initial hematologist I saw thought my elevated lambda free light chain number was due to Sjogrens and not multiple myeloma (thus why I am having a bone marrow biopsy this week).

My limited understanding from my rheumatologist is there is a connection between lupus / Sjogren's and multiple myeloma in that they are both B-cell related disease processes and could both cause hypogammaglobulimia (which I also have). There is also a connection between lupus / Sjogren's and lymphoma for the same reason.

Sorry I dont know more.

Merryl

[dm89]

Re: Any link between lupus, MGUS, and immunosuppressants?

by dm89 on Thu Dec 13, 2018 5:22 pm

Merryl,

Thank you so much for your reply! Yeah, I think it makes complete sense that there would be a link! I see my rheumatologist this week so I'll have to talk about with her as well. Good luck with every­thing!