[Molly82]

Should I test for myeloma with these symptoms?

by Molly82 on Sun Jan 26, 2014 3:10 am

Hi,

I'm new to this site and would like some advice.

I'm 32 years old and have had chronic Hepatitis C all of my life (contracted during a blood transfusion at birth).

For almost a year now, I've been having what feels like bone pain - ribs (front and back), hip pain and upper back ache between my shoulder blades - all of which is getting more frequent. I've lived with rheumatism for years, but this doesn't feel inflammatory.

I recently had blood work done (unrelated) and everything was in normal range except for very low ferritin. I was told I have almost absent iron stores, so I'm now taking iron supplements for this.

I don't know if low ferritin can cause bone pain or if I should test for myeloma, as I know that Hep C is a risk factor. I was also told by a doctor that they suspect I have rheumatoid arthritis - but I don't know whether I should be investigating myeloma, as bone pain can be caused by both?

Any advice would be much appreciated.

Molly

[Dr. Edward Libby]

Re: Should I test for myeloma with these symptoms?

by Dr. Edward Libby on Sun Jan 26, 2014 12:46 pm

Hi Molly,

Your symptoms are not enough to lead me to strongly suspect myeloma. My best advice is to see a good internal medicine physician to follow up on this. Hepatitis C is not a recognized risk factor for multiple myeloma. Hepatitis C is a risk factor for lymphoma (a different type of blood related cancer) though.

[Molly82]

Re: Should I test for myeloma with these symptoms?

by Molly82 on Sun Jan 26, 2014 2:07 pm

Thanks Dr Libby.

I will be having a follow up soon (as I do every year) for the Hep C.

My previous doctor had told me that studies found that people with Hep C are at increased risk of developing both lymphoma and myeloma - but I'm happy to hear that you don't think it warrants investigating.

I will go to a rheumatologist to find out where these aches are coming from, as they feel different to the usual rheumatism I experience.

Perhaps it's just the low ferritin, or perhaps arthritic. I'll look into it. Many thanks again.

[Molly82]

Re: Should I test for myeloma with these symptoms?

by Molly82 on Wed Jan 29, 2014 2:32 am

Can I ask if low ferritin and/or arthritis are known to cause bone pain specifically? I'd like to know what's behind these pains.

Aside from my ribs, I'm getting almost daily pain in my back between my shoulder blades and one area on my spine which concerns me. I've made an appointment with my Hep C specialist, so will tell him about it.

I did find that there was a Swedish study linking Hep C to both NHL and multiple myeloma: http://www.webmd.com/hepatitis/news/20050223/hepatitis-c-ups-lymphoma-bone-marrow-cancer

[Multibilly]

Re: Should I test for myeloma with these symptoms?

by Multibilly on Wed Jan 29, 2014 8:57 am

Regarding: "Hepatitis C is not a recognized risk factor for multiple myeloma. Hepatitis C is a risk factor for lymphoma (a different type of blood related cancer) though ..."

There was a recent study presented at ASH regarding HCV and the potential that it and other infections may actually trigger myeloma:

https://myelomabeacon.org/resources/mtgs/ash2013/abs/3116/

The conclusion of this report is rather remarkable and potentially far reaching as far as how folks may potentially avoid/treat MGUS in the future. To the readers, note that "HCV" = Hepatitis C Virus and "EBV" = Herpes 4 (HHV-4 or Epstein Barr) in this conclusion.

Conclusion: Altogether, 22.7% of the 101 MGUS and myeloma patients examined presented a mc Ig specific for HCV, EBV or H. pylori. Thus beside lymphoma and CLL, chronic infection by these 3 germs can also induce MGUS and eventually, trigger the pathogenic processes that lead to myeloma. Efforts should be made to identify the subsets of patients with mc Ig specific for HCV, EBV and H. pylori, preferably at the MGUS stage, as anti-infection treatment is expected to cure MGUS and prevent progression toward myeloma.

[Molly82]

Re: Should I test for myeloma with these symptoms?

by Molly82 on Wed Jan 29, 2014 9:43 am

Thanks for sharing that Multibilly.

I guess there haven't been that many studies into these connections yet - specifically the role of a chronic virus like Hep C and lymphoproliferative disorders.

I know young people do get these illnesses, and I've had Hep C for over 31 years since birth.
I'll try not to worry too much and will wait to see my doctor.

I'm just curious to know if very low ferritin along can cause bone pain, and/or rheumatoid arthritis (if indeed I do have that)?

[Multibilly]

Re: Should I test for myeloma with these symptoms?

by Multibilly on Wed Jan 29, 2014 10:23 am

I don't know diddly about ferretin But if you google "ferretin bone pain", you can get hits like this.

http://www.wellnessresources.com/health/articles/low_iron_can_cause_chronic_pain/

[Molly82]

Re: Should I test for myeloma with these symptoms?

by Molly82 on Wed Jan 29, 2014 10:33 am

Thanks for the link. Sources online say it can cause aches, but a number of doctors on another forum told me that low ferritin doesn't cause bone pain. Anyway, I don't want to take up more of anyone's time on this forum. Thanks very much to both of you for your advice, and best of luck to everyone here.