[BeatMyeloma]

Re: Rise in IgA - what's it mean?

by BeatMyeloma on Wed Oct 29, 2014 10:57 am

Multibilly asked:

Can there be situations where the quantitative immunoglobulin level can rise significantly with no M-spike present and still be due to multiple myeloma and not some other condition like chronic infection, etc?

Great question, thanks for asking, Multibilly!

I have an additional question.

If what is going on is indeed a relapse 60 drug-free days after a successful CyBorD therapy, is some sort of maintenance indicated after the transplant?

Thanks for replying to my post, Dr. Kapoor. My family feels very fortunate my mother is at Mayo!

[Zach]

Re: Rise in IgA - what's it mean?

by Zach on Wed Oct 29, 2014 1:39 pm

Hi,

Your mother is in excellent hands at Mayo. I was diagnosed at Mayo Rochester 22 years ago with multiple myeloma (IgG kappa).

Lately my IgA has been rising slowly - could be due to my chronic liver disease.

I have total faith in Mayo Clinic.

I remember in the beginning I had and still have so many questions, so I asked my hematologist and he explains them to me.

Best wishes,
I.H.

[BeatMyeloma]

Re: Rise in IgA - what's it mean?

by BeatMyeloma on Wed Oct 29, 2014 3:57 pm

Thanks Zach! 22 years – WOW. Hoping and praying my mother can have the same.

Do you mind my asking the course of your disease and what your treatment has been?

[BeatMyeloma]

Re: Rise in IgA - what's it mean?

by BeatMyeloma on Tue Nov 04, 2014 11:08 pm

Thought I'd give an update. The IgA rise was indeed caused by that pesky plasmacytoma in the uterus. It measured at 3 cm as opposed to 2 cm in July (it was 5 cm in February).

So Mom has now switched from CyBorD to Revlimid / Velcade / dex. We're hoping it will work well and long!

[Beacon Staff]

Re: Rise in IgA - what's it mean?

by Beacon Staff on Wed Nov 05, 2014 1:17 am

Thanks for the update, BeatMyeloma. It's always useful for everyone here to get follow-up information related to questions that have been asked.

We're sorry to hear that your mother's plasmacytoma has grown. We hope she responds well to the new treatment regimen.

[Dr. Prashant Kapoor]

Re: Rise in IgA - what's it mean?

by Dr. Prashant Kapoor on Sat Nov 08, 2014 7:17 pm

Multibilly, With IgA myeloma, it is not uncommon to have an elevated IgA level without any M-spike.

BeatMyeloma, We can often see a good response by switching from CyBorD to VRD and vice versa. I hope that happens in your mom's case too.

With best wishes, Prashant Kapoor

[Multibilly]

Re: Rise in IgA - what's it mean?

by Multibilly on Sun Nov 09, 2014 9:37 am

Dr. Kapoor: Thank you for answering the question about the elevated IgA. I learn something every day on this forum.

[BeatMyeloma]

Re: Rise in IgA - what's it mean?

by BeatMyeloma on Sun Nov 09, 2014 6:37 pm

Thank you for your reply, Dr. Kapoor. Mom is getting her first Velcade shot of this round on Friday. Hopefully her insurance will get the Revlimid approved and ordered this week! That has been a huge pain. We're hoping for another sustained remission. Perhaps I am overly hopeful, bit I feel like five years from now the treatment landscape will have changed so much. She needs to be around for it!

[BeatMyeloma]

Re: Rise in IgA - what's it mean?

by BeatMyeloma on Wed Dec 10, 2014 6:57 pm

Well, a blood test just showed that IgA is up to 1000.

Has anyone heard of RVD (Revlimid, Velcade, dex) making things worse before dropping things down? Is there realistic hope that another cycle might make a difference?