I am new to this site and this is my first time posting. I have an appointment tomorrow with my PC regarding testing for multiple myeloma. I want to make sure I ask for the correct tests.
One year ago I experienced tenderness in my lowest right rib. After a CT scan came back clear, doctors ignored it. The pain is worsening and now covers a much broader area. I have horrible flank pain, right side, that has extended to the left most recently. Feels like a tight band that aches around my lower back. Rib tenderness and horrific pain when touched. Foamy urine for 3 weeks. Tender spots on my scalp. Neuropathy in my right leg. Carpel tunnel pain in right wrist at night. Spine pain and rib pain that is also worse at night. Cracking noises in my back, neck, hands and ribs.
A recent CBC came back with low WBC, RBC, hemoglobin, and hematocrit. Diagnosis "slight macrocytosis," but my doctor didn't investigate why my levels have dropped.
Also, recent bone density came back with osteopenia. That is new for me. I am 58 years old.
I may have missed something, but this is most of what is going on with me. 2 weeks ago, when I mentioned to my PC about the increasing low back pain and foamy urine, he had me do a random urinalysis and it was negative. From what I am learning, I believe I need the 24-hour collection? Any advice you can give me will be greatly appreciated. Also, should I request having these tests done by a hematologist?
Thank you everyone. If I am diagnosed with this, I will be back to learn all I can from you and hopefully help others as well.
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Re: What tests should I have to check for multiple myeloma?
Hi BeebNC,
Sorry to hear about your situation. In addition to the CBC you already had run, you would want to have the following tests done:
1. Serum immunofixation
2. Serum protein electrophoresis
3. Serum free light chain assay
4. Quantitative immunoglobulins (IgG, IgA, IgM)
5. Comprehensive metabolic panel.
Your doctor may or may not ask you to initially (or ever) do a 24 hour urine test, but it's not a bad idea to get one done. In any case, you are right that a random urine sample isn't a good way to initially screen for multiple myeloma or a similar condition.
Anybody can do these initial tests (they are all run by the same kind of labs). But depending on what the test results come back with, then you and your doc would decide whether to see a hematologist that specializes in multiple myeloma or not. If the test results suggest something like multiple myeloma, then any follow up tests should definitely be done under a hematologist's care.
Sorry to hear about your situation. In addition to the CBC you already had run, you would want to have the following tests done:
1. Serum immunofixation
2. Serum protein electrophoresis
3. Serum free light chain assay
4. Quantitative immunoglobulins (IgG, IgA, IgM)
5. Comprehensive metabolic panel.
Your doctor may or may not ask you to initially (or ever) do a 24 hour urine test, but it's not a bad idea to get one done. In any case, you are right that a random urine sample isn't a good way to initially screen for multiple myeloma or a similar condition.
Anybody can do these initial tests (they are all run by the same kind of labs). But depending on what the test results come back with, then you and your doc would decide whether to see a hematologist that specializes in multiple myeloma or not. If the test results suggest something like multiple myeloma, then any follow up tests should definitely be done under a hematologist's care.
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Multibilly - Name: Multibilly
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Me
- When were you/they diagnosed?: Smoldering, Nov, 2012
Re: What tests should I have to check for multiple myeloma?
Hi Multibilly.
Thank you for taking the time to help me out.
I had all of my labs done this morning and will start the 24-hour urine collection tomorrow. Also getting an X-ray of my ribs this afternoon. Hopefully, if needed, that will lead to a full skeletal survey. He started with the ribs because when he pressed on the one that has been giving me the most pain, I almost fell off the table! It has been aching for months.
By the way, every blood test my doctor ordered are the ones you mentioned! I will be in touch after my results come in.
Thank you again.
Thank you for taking the time to help me out.
I had all of my labs done this morning and will start the 24-hour urine collection tomorrow. Also getting an X-ray of my ribs this afternoon. Hopefully, if needed, that will lead to a full skeletal survey. He started with the ribs because when he pressed on the one that has been giving me the most pain, I almost fell off the table! It has been aching for months.
By the way, every blood test my doctor ordered are the ones you mentioned! I will be in touch after my results come in.
Thank you again.
Re: What tests should I have to check for multiple myeloma?
Glad to hear that your doctor ordered a complete set of tests. Good luck with all this.
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Multibilly - Name: Multibilly
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Me
- When were you/they diagnosed?: Smoldering, Nov, 2012
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