All test came back normal only slight M spike. Bone scan normal. No Bence-Jones in urine. K/L ratio normal. Only rheumatoid factor elevated.
My question is: What can I do now - take curcumin supplements? Or any thing else?
I will be having follow-up blood tests every 3 months for 2 years.
Thanks in advance for any ideas.
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Re: lab tests
My experience is very similar, I have Bence-Jones. I have had a a too small to quantify and I'm 3 1/2 years out from a SCT. I was getting all the test, blood and urine, every 2 months, but I've been on a 3 month regimen for about a year now. I do nothing and haven't been advised by my hematologist to do anything.
Unless you're told otherwise, I would try to up your healthy habits. That's pretty much what I've done.
Unless you're told otherwise, I would try to up your healthy habits. That's pretty much what I've done.
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Wayne K - Name: Wayne
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Myself, my sister who passed in '95
- When were you/they diagnosed?: 03/09
- Age at diagnosis: 70
Re: Slight M-spike, other labs normal - what should I do?
Any updates on this from Wayne K or dog01?
My husband's M-spike has been creeping up ever so slightly over the past two months, but all his other labs are excellent – especially his light chains, which have come down dramatically and continue to do so.
I don't get why the other labs look so great while the m-spike is just creeping up, little by little. I was under the impression that he is doing so well (as indicated by the labs) because his disease is under control.
My husband's M-spike has been creeping up ever so slightly over the past two months, but all his other labs are excellent – especially his light chains, which have come down dramatically and continue to do so.
I don't get why the other labs look so great while the m-spike is just creeping up, little by little. I was under the impression that he is doing so well (as indicated by the labs) because his disease is under control.
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Jean Ruth Howard - Name: Jeannie
- Who do you know with myeloma?: husband
- When were you/they diagnosed?: November 2012
- Age at diagnosis: 47
Re: Slight M-spike, other labs normal - what should I do?
I took curcumim when I was in a similar situation as yours. My m-protein numbers went UP.
Re: Slight M-spike, other labs normal - what should I do?
Hello Dog:
I am not understanding from your post whether you are smoldering (SMM), newly diagnosed (NDMM) or post initial induction and possibly transplant (maybe you said this on an earlier post that I missed).
What were your specific CRAB symptoms so far (if any)?
The way you look at the M-spike depends on your progression stage (not to be confused with the term "staging"; sorry but could not come up with a better word). The one common thing is that if it stays stable, you are good for the immediate future. If it starts creeping up, but only very slowly, that is a little less good, but still positive. Where you would take action depends on your category.
Good luck
I am not understanding from your post whether you are smoldering (SMM), newly diagnosed (NDMM) or post initial induction and possibly transplant (maybe you said this on an earlier post that I missed).
What were your specific CRAB symptoms so far (if any)?
The way you look at the M-spike depends on your progression stage (not to be confused with the term "staging"; sorry but could not come up with a better word). The one common thing is that if it stays stable, you are good for the immediate future. If it starts creeping up, but only very slowly, that is a little less good, but still positive. Where you would take action depends on your category.
Good luck
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JPC - Name: JPC
Re: Slight M-spike, other labs normal - what should I do?
That's for the feedback JimsKayak and JPC.
JimsKayak - Did you have to change your treatment protocol eventually, or no?
JimsKayak - Did you have to change your treatment protocol eventually, or no?
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Jean Ruth Howard - Name: Jeannie
- Who do you know with myeloma?: husband
- When were you/they diagnosed?: November 2012
- Age at diagnosis: 47
Re: Slight M-spike, other labs normal - what should I do?
Hello Jean:
I will pass on to you a "rule of thumb" that was given to me by a doctor. If periodic imaging is coming back good and the other blood numbers look good, except for a creeping-up M-spike, then the point where treatment would most likely be restarted is when the M-spike has gotten to 0.5 g/dL (5 g/L) higher than the best response. For most patients, at that level, you will be knocking back down the myeloma before it has reached the stage of doing any other bad damage.
At a slow creep, right now, I would be holding on a bit to see if it's possible or appropriate to incorporate elotuzumab or daratumumab into the next round of treatment, that hopefully will not be needed for a long time. However, being in clinically good shape, feeling good and healthy, is a very good sign.
Does your husband get imaging done once or twice a year??
Good luck.
I will pass on to you a "rule of thumb" that was given to me by a doctor. If periodic imaging is coming back good and the other blood numbers look good, except for a creeping-up M-spike, then the point where treatment would most likely be restarted is when the M-spike has gotten to 0.5 g/dL (5 g/L) higher than the best response. For most patients, at that level, you will be knocking back down the myeloma before it has reached the stage of doing any other bad damage.
At a slow creep, right now, I would be holding on a bit to see if it's possible or appropriate to incorporate elotuzumab or daratumumab into the next round of treatment, that hopefully will not be needed for a long time. However, being in clinically good shape, feeling good and healthy, is a very good sign.
Does your husband get imaging done once or twice a year??
Good luck.
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JPC - Name: JPC
Re: Slight M-spike, other labs normal - what should I do?
He's due for imaging soon. Thanks JPC for your helpful info. I really appreciate it. 
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Jean Ruth Howard - Name: Jeannie
- Who do you know with myeloma?: husband
- When were you/they diagnosed?: November 2012
- Age at diagnosis: 47
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