[Kelly Noonan]

Recently diagnosed with multiple myeloma.

by Kelly Noonan on Tue Oct 08, 2013 3:37 pm

Hi
I was recently diagnosed with multiple myeloma after about a month of what I thought was a bad cold.
My nose bled constantly and I just kept on getting weaker.
My wife eventually made me go to the doctor who had some tests done.
My doctor referred me to a physician who had more tests done.
The physician referred me to a hematologist who booked me into hospital and had blood and bone marrow samples taken and started me on betanoid.
After four days in hospital I went home but had picked up pneumonia ( drug resistant ) while in hospital. After a week of feeling really bad I returned to the hematologist who immediately booked me back into hospital. I spent a another week getting antibiotics for the pneumonia, Endoxan and betanoid. I could not sleep as I felt I was drowning the moment I went to sleep and would then cough uncontrollably. I was also given four units of red blood which I think helped a lot as my plasma level was 95% and I was really anemic.
I was discharged last Friday and spent the weekend lying around at home.
I started work on Monday but am taking it easy as I am still rather weak.
I have the worst fever blisters I have ever had and still cough quite a lot but am feeling way better.
Has anyone got some idea how long it takes before your plasma levels normalize ( if they ever do ) and am I likely to regain my strength and fitness. ( My doctor either does not know or prefers to keep me in the dark)

[New Yorker]

Re: Recently diagnosed with multiple myeloma.

by New Yorker on Tue Oct 08, 2013 3:56 pm

What were the results from your blood tests? Are they doing genetic testing on the bone marrow sample to assess risk? Did you have any other tests done, like a PET scan or skeletal survey? Are there signs of bone pain? We other blood tests, performed such as beta microglobulin levels, serum immunofixation, or light chain quantitation? These all bear on where you stand and the type of treatment plan. Is there asuggested treatment plan?

All that said, current drugs can achive nearly miraculous responses very quickly.