I have an appointment with my doctor on August - a whole month away until I get an explanation of recent test results. I have spent hours on the Internet going over my most recent results and trying to decipher in layman terms what it all means and if I should be worried or if everything is going to be ok. I hope someone on here can just say "chill out" or "panic". I do trust the judgment of those of you who appear to be very informed about multiple myeloma.
I was diagnosed with multiple myeloma Stage II in the early part of February 2016 and my first treatment was February 16, 2016. I am having subcutaneous Velcade every Tuesday and Friday (except for the 10-day break, of course). I started out on 40 mg of dexamethasone, but it was giving me so much energy that I wasn't sleeping – I was just spinning and wearing myself out (plus I gained 20 lbs from February 16 - June 7). On June 7 my dexamethasone was reduced to 20 mg and I am finally getting 6 hours of sleep a night.
Any input and advice will be greatly appreciated.
JANUARY 26, 2016
Tests: (1) IFE and PE, Serum (001495)
Immunoglobulin G, Qn, Serum [L] 252 mg/dL 700-1600
Immunoglobulin A, Qn, Serum [H] 3256 mg/dL 91-414
Immunoglobulin M, Qn, Serum [L] <6 mg/dL 40-230
Protein, Total, Serum [H] 8.6 g/dL 6.0-8.5
Albumin 3.8 g/dL 3.2-5.6
Alpha-1-Globulin 0.2 g/dL 0.1-0.4
Alpha-2-Globulin 0.6 g/dL 0.4-1.2
Beta Globulin [H] 3.8 g/dL 0.6-1.3
Gamma Globulin [L] 0.2 g/dL 0.5-1.6
M-Spike [H] 3.0 g/dL Not Observed
Globulin, Total [H] 4.8 g/dL 2.0-4.5
A/G Ratio 0.8 0.7-2.0
Immunofixation Result, Serum IFEAK
Immunofixation shows IgA monoclonal protein with
kappa light chain specificity.
Tests: (2) Iron and TIBC (001321)
Iron Bind.Cap.(TIBC) [L] 225 ug/dL 250-450
UIBC 142 ug/dL 118-369
Iron, Serum 83 ug/dL 27-139
Iron Saturation 37 % 15-55
Tests: (3) Free K+L Lt Chains,Qn,S (121137)
Free Kappa Lt Chains,S [H] 735.33 mg/L 3.30-19.40
Free Lambda Lt Chains,S [L] 2.82 mg/L 5.71-26.30
Kappa/Lambda Ratio,S [H] 260.76 0.26-1.65
FEBRUARY 1, 2016
Tests: (1) IFE+Protein Electro, 24-Hr Ur (003467)
Protein,Total,Urine 11.2 mg/dL 0.0-15.0
Prot,24hr calculated [H] 218.4 mg/24 hr 30.0-150.0
Albumin, U 12.0 %
Alpha-1-Globulin, U 2.1 %
Alpha-2-Globulin, U 8.0 %
Beta Globulin, U 75.4 %
Gamma Globulin, U 2.5 %
M-Spike, % [H] 66.6 % Not Observed
M-Spike, mg/24 hr [H] 145 mg/24 hr Not Observed
Immunofixation Result, Urine BJPK
Bence Jones Protein positive; kappa type.
Tests: (2) Free K+L Lt Chains,Qn,Ur (121228)
Free Kappa Lt Chains,Ur [H] 489.00 mg/L 1.35-24.19 **
Free Lambda Lt Chains,Ur 1.13 mg/L 0.24-6.66 **
Kappa/Lambda Ratio,U [H] 432.74 2.04-10.37
** Results verified by repeat testing
MARCH 12, 2016
Tests: (1) IFE and PE, Serum (001495)
Immunoglobulin G, Qn, Serum [L] 315 mg/dL 700-1600
Immunoglobulin A, Qn, Serum 196 mg/dL 87-352
Immunoglobulin M, Qn, Serum [L] 15 mg/dL 26-217
Protein, Total, Serum [L] 5.7 g/dL 6.0-8.5
Albumin 3.4 g/dL 3.2-5.6
Alpha-1-Globulin 0.3 g/dL 0.1-0.4
Alpha-2-Globulin 0.7 g/dL 0.4-1.2
Beta Globulin 1.0 g/dL 0.6-1.3
Gamma Globulin [L] 0.3 g/dL 0.5-1.6
M-Spike [H] 0.2 g/dL Not Observed
Globulin, Total 2.3 g/dL 2.0-4.5
A/G Ratio 1.5 0.7-2.0
Immunofixation Result, Serum IFEAK
Immunofixation shows IgA monoclonal protein with kappa light chain specificity.
Tests: (2) Free K+L Lt Chains,Qn,S (121137)
Free Kappa Lt Chains,S 5.36 mg/L 3.30-19.40
Free Lambda Lt Chains,S [L] 3.47 mg/L 5.71-26.30
Kappa/Lambda Ratio,S 1.54 0.26-1.65
Tests: (3) Folate (Folic Acid), Serum (002014)
Folate (Folic Acid), Serum 18.0 ng/mL >3.0
A serum folate concentration of less than 3.1 ng/mL is
considered to represent clinical deficiency.
JUNE 27, 2016
Note: All result statuses are Final unless otherwise noted.
Tests: (1) IFE+Protein Electro, 24-Hr Ur (003467)
Protein,Total,Urine 9.1 mg/dL Not Estab.
Prot,24hr calculated [H] 282.1 mg/24 hr 30.0-150.0
Albumin, U 100.0 %
Alpha-1-Globulin, U 0.0 %
Alpha-2-Globulin, U 0.0 %
Beta Globulin, U 0.0 %
Gamma Globulin, U 0.0 %
M-Spike, % NOB % Not Observed
Not Observed
Immunofixation Result, Urine IFENOR
An apparent normal immunofixation pattern.
Tests: (2) Free K+L Lt Chains,Qn,Ur (121228)
Free Kappa Lt Chains,Ur [L] 0.34 mg/L 1.35-24.19 **
Free Lambda Lt Chains,Ur [L] <0.05 mg/L 0.24-6.66 **
Kappa/Lambda Ratio,U >6.80 2.04-10.37
** Results verified by repeat testing
JUNE 28, 2016
Tests: (1) IFE and PE, Serum (001495)
Immunoglobulin G, Qn, Serum [L] 348 mg/dL 700-1600
Immunoglobulin A, Qn, Serum [L] 30 mg/dL 87-352
Immunoglobulin M, Qn, Serum 38 mg/dL 26-217
Protein, Total, Serum [L] 5.7 g/dL 6.0-8.5
Albumin 3.3 g/dL 2.9-4.4
Alpha-1-Globulin 0.3 g/dL 0.0-0.4
Alpha-2-Globulin 0.8 g/dL 0.4-1.0
Beta Globulin 1.0 g/dL 0.7-1.3
Gamma Globulin 0.4 g/dL 0.4-1.8
M-Spike NOB g/dL Not Observed
Not Observed
Globulin, Total 2.4 g/dL 2.2-3.9
A/G Ratio 1.4 0.7-1.7
Immunofixation Result, Serum HYPGAM
All immunoglobulins appear decreased. Pattern suggestive
of hypogammaglobulinemia.
Tests: (2) Free K+L Lt Chains,Qn,S (121137)
Free Kappa Lt Chains,S 7.27 mg/L 3.30-19.40
Free Lambda Lt Chains,S [L] 3.52 mg/L 5.71-26.30
Kappa/Lambda Ratio,S [H] 2.07 0.26-1.65
Tests: (1) CBC NN (1012)
WBC 6.4 10*3/uL 4.8-10.8
RBC 5.2 10*6/uL 4.2-5.4
HGB 15.3 g/dL 12.0-16.0
HCT 46.5 % 37.0-47.0
MCV 88.8 pg 81.0-99.0
MCH 29.2 pg 27.0-31.0
MCHC 32.9 g/dL 32.0-36.0
RDW 14.8 % 11.5-15.8
PLT 239.0 10*3/uL 130.0-400.0
MPV 8.7 fL 7.0-10.4
BA# 0.00 10*3/uL 0.00-0.10
EO# 0.1 10*3/uL 0.0-0.2
MO# 0.4 10*3/uL 0.3-0.8
LY# [L] 0.7 10*3/uL 1.3-2.9
NE# [H] 5.2 10*3/uL 2.2-4.8
BA% 0.50 % 0.20-1.00
EO% 1.20 % 0.90-2.90
MO% 6.9 % 5.5-11.7
LY% [L] 11.4 % 20.5-45.5
NE% [H] 80.0 % 43.0-65.0
NRBC 0.0 /100wbc 0.0-0.4
NRBC# 0.0 10*3/uL 0.0-0.0
UWBC 6.4 10 X 3/ul 4.8-10.8
Forums
5 posts
• Page 1 of 1
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Brenda Crawford - Name: Brenda Crawford
- Who do you know with myeloma?: self
- When were you/they diagnosed?: 2/16/16
- Age at diagnosis: 67
Re: Am I responding well to my myeloma treatment so far?
Hi Brenda,
I'm not a doc, but in a nut, it looks like you have responded well to treatment. Your M-spike is now non-existent and your involved free light chain (kappa) has come down dramatically.
However, you seem to have a condition known as hypogammaglobulinemia, where some of your immunoglobuin levels are suppressed. Your latest free light chain pattern (normal kappa, low lambda, high ratio) also might suggest that you are suffering from bone marrow suppression.
Again, I'm not a doc, but the cause of the hypogammaglobulinemia and bone marrow suppression may very well be partially a result of the therapy itself and it is a fairly common occurrence in multiple myeloma patients. If your suppressed immune system starts to result in you developing severe infections, your doctor may consider putting you on IVIG (intravenous immunoglobulin) therapy. But your doctor would not likely resort to that treatment unless you were really getting sick a lot.
In any case, this would be a good thing to discuss with your specialist at your next visit.
Congrats on your response so far.
I'm not a doc, but in a nut, it looks like you have responded well to treatment. Your M-spike is now non-existent and your involved free light chain (kappa) has come down dramatically.
However, you seem to have a condition known as hypogammaglobulinemia, where some of your immunoglobuin levels are suppressed. Your latest free light chain pattern (normal kappa, low lambda, high ratio) also might suggest that you are suffering from bone marrow suppression.
Again, I'm not a doc, but the cause of the hypogammaglobulinemia and bone marrow suppression may very well be partially a result of the therapy itself and it is a fairly common occurrence in multiple myeloma patients. If your suppressed immune system starts to result in you developing severe infections, your doctor may consider putting you on IVIG (intravenous immunoglobulin) therapy. But your doctor would not likely resort to that treatment unless you were really getting sick a lot.
In any case, this would be a good thing to discuss with your specialist at your next visit.
Congrats on your response so far.
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Multibilly - Name: Multibilly
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Me
- When were you/they diagnosed?: Smoldering, Nov, 2012
Re: Am I responding well to my myeloma treatment so far?
Multibilly:
When I first decided to post this, you were the first one I thought about! I knew you would respond and I appreciate you!
When I first decided to post this, you were the first one I thought about! I knew you would respond and I appreciate you!
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Brenda Crawford - Name: Brenda Crawford
- Who do you know with myeloma?: self
- When were you/they diagnosed?: 2/16/16
- Age at diagnosis: 67
Re: Am I responding well to my myeloma treatment so far?
I have some happy news! Yesterday my oncologist / hematologist told me that he feels certain I am going into remission!
I started subcutaneous Velcade and dexamethasone on February 16 and am presently in my 9th cycle.
Here are my main lab results from just prior to the beginning of my treatment, and now:
My IgA was 3,256; yesterday it was 30.
My M-spike was 3.0; yesterday it was O.
My kappa free light chains were 753.33; yesterday they were 7.27.
My lambda free light chains were 3.52; yesterday they were 2.83.
My kappa-lambda ratio was 260.76; yesterday it was 2.07.
I have a bone scan scheduled and another bone marrow biopsy and he says if those results are good I will be able to go on maintenance.
God is good.
I started subcutaneous Velcade and dexamethasone on February 16 and am presently in my 9th cycle.
Here are my main lab results from just prior to the beginning of my treatment, and now:
My IgA was 3,256; yesterday it was 30.
My M-spike was 3.0; yesterday it was O.
My kappa free light chains were 753.33; yesterday they were 7.27.
My lambda free light chains were 3.52; yesterday they were 2.83.
My kappa-lambda ratio was 260.76; yesterday it was 2.07.
I have a bone scan scheduled and another bone marrow biopsy and he says if those results are good I will be able to go on maintenance.
God is good.
-
Brenda Crawford - Name: Brenda Crawford
- Who do you know with myeloma?: self
- When were you/they diagnosed?: 2/16/16
- Age at diagnosis: 67
Re: Am I responding well to my myeloma treatment so far?
You deserve a big
CONGRATULATION!
Joe
CONGRATULATION!
Joe
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Wobbles - Name: Joe
- Who do you know with myeloma?: myself
- When were you/they diagnosed?: June 2016
- Age at diagnosis: 67
5 posts
• Page 1 of 1