Thank you all for your feedback.
I asked Coop223 if he always had the kappa and lambda on his labs, which he said that he did. I looked at my last 8 labs and there is nothing on them that actually say kappa or lambda anywhere. The only thing closely related to that is something that says IgA Kappa Monoclonal Paraprotein. Then under that it shows A/G Ratio 1.5 under a normal reading.
Maybe I am missing something, but there is nothing else on these last 8 labs that actually says kappa or lambda free light chains. Could it be called something else?
Tests for Albumin, Alpha1 and 2, Beta, and Gamma are all gm/dl. And all those are in a normal range. In my monthly CBC there are several tests and also several different unit numbers used depending on the tests within the CBC. I am just starting to be more active in reading these tests. I do appreciate all your inputs. I just kind of went with the flow and listened to my oncologist every month.
I have been kind of out of it the last two days. I had to have all my dental work finished before getting my Zometa started. Last month was 4 implants and yesterday was 5 dental extractions. Glad that's over. Now i can start the Zometa in about a month. Today I feel almost normal again.
Please excuse my lack of lab result knowledge.
Castaway
Forums
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Castaway - Name: George
- Who do you know with myeloma?: just myself
- When were you/they diagnosed?: 1/24/14
- Age at diagnosis: 62
Re: Alcohol and multiple myeloma treatment
Thanks, TerryH!
I will look more closely at my lab report tomorrow. ha ha. That makes sense.
You know, Castaway George, they might not check your kappa free light chains. I have multiple myeloma with light chain deposition disease, so my oncologist doesn't do tests on my M-spike. My bone marrow biopsies are "ambiguous" - meaning they don't show very much.
I will look more closely at my lab report tomorrow. ha ha. That makes sense.
You know, Castaway George, they might not check your kappa free light chains. I have multiple myeloma with light chain deposition disease, so my oncologist doesn't do tests on my M-spike. My bone marrow biopsies are "ambiguous" - meaning they don't show very much.
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antelope1225 - Name: Cathy1225
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Myself
- When were you/they diagnosed?: May 25 2012
- Age at diagnosis: 55
Re: Alcohol and multiple myeloma treatment
Hello everyone.
I had read almost all the posts on the subject of alcohol and myeloma on the three topics of discussion on this subject before I decided to drop my daily consumption of 2 or 3 drinks. I did write to my oncologist that at least one account (Derek Cooper's) had noted the sudden change in the kappa free light chain readings (his went up from 30's to 80!) after abruptly stopping all the alcoholic drinks for a cycle. I have been off any alcohol for over 4 weeks, since before my last blood test in mid-January. I just got my latest blood test results from this Monday and my kappa jumped 'noticeably' from the past 10 readings; from 40 +/- 3 to 50.5! and the lambda rose, too. The kappa-lambda ratio stayed barely in the normal range (0.26-1.65) at 1.63.
This makes at least two of us reporting that stopping alcohol seems to raise the kappa reading. I wonder if alcohol somehow acts like dex and increases the effectiveness of the Revlimid. I am seeking some guidance from my oncologist and waiting to see what he suggests.
I wanted to make sure that I do not have any craving for any alcoholic drinks and that I can stay alcohol free for an extended period of time. I have been able to stop all alcohol a couple of times before, for 2 or 3 months at a time. The last time I stopped my daily consumption of 3 or 4 beers while walking daily rounds of golf with my bag, I lost over 5 pounds (from about 125 pounds) very quickly, and I had to choose between energy drinks or a beer or two. Actually I prefer plain club soda to almost any alcoholic or non-alcoholic beverages.
I am not sure if I should stay off any alcohol for another cycle or two and see if my kappa readings change much. I can always consume 2 or 3 drinks a day again, generally only at night, and always avoiding any drinks if I am going to drive. The only problem is the Revlimid sleeplessness. A few more drinks can help me fall asleep, but half a Benadryl (diphenhydramine) does help, too.
Any thoughts on the sudden rise in kappa and alcohol?
I had read almost all the posts on the subject of alcohol and myeloma on the three topics of discussion on this subject before I decided to drop my daily consumption of 2 or 3 drinks. I did write to my oncologist that at least one account (Derek Cooper's) had noted the sudden change in the kappa free light chain readings (his went up from 30's to 80!) after abruptly stopping all the alcoholic drinks for a cycle. I have been off any alcohol for over 4 weeks, since before my last blood test in mid-January. I just got my latest blood test results from this Monday and my kappa jumped 'noticeably' from the past 10 readings; from 40 +/- 3 to 50.5! and the lambda rose, too. The kappa-lambda ratio stayed barely in the normal range (0.26-1.65) at 1.63.
This makes at least two of us reporting that stopping alcohol seems to raise the kappa reading. I wonder if alcohol somehow acts like dex and increases the effectiveness of the Revlimid. I am seeking some guidance from my oncologist and waiting to see what he suggests.
I wanted to make sure that I do not have any craving for any alcoholic drinks and that I can stay alcohol free for an extended period of time. I have been able to stop all alcohol a couple of times before, for 2 or 3 months at a time. The last time I stopped my daily consumption of 3 or 4 beers while walking daily rounds of golf with my bag, I lost over 5 pounds (from about 125 pounds) very quickly, and I had to choose between energy drinks or a beer or two. Actually I prefer plain club soda to almost any alcoholic or non-alcoholic beverages.
I am not sure if I should stay off any alcohol for another cycle or two and see if my kappa readings change much. I can always consume 2 or 3 drinks a day again, generally only at night, and always avoiding any drinks if I am going to drive. The only problem is the Revlimid sleeplessness. A few more drinks can help me fall asleep, but half a Benadryl (diphenhydramine) does help, too.
Any thoughts on the sudden rise in kappa and alcohol?
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K_Shash - Name: K_Shash
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Self
- When were you/they diagnosed?: November 2014
- Age at diagnosis: 67
Re: Alcohol and multiple myeloma treatment
As a mental health professional who deals with alcohol issues at work, I would like to clarify the recommended amounts mentioned above. Please note, that I do not know about alcohol and myeloma treatments, this is just current recommendations for general populations regarding the amounts that are not harmful to health. Also, I am giving the information based on the newest UK government guidelines. These can vary from country to country. These guidelines have been updated very recently and incorporate all the current research data. The most important change from previous guidelines is that the current recommendations now refer equally to both men and women as opposed to older recommendations that allowed men to drink more.
Here you can find the official report with the new recommendations (PDF; scroll to p. 21 and onwards):
Please note that alcohol is measured in units and not in glasses, because a glass can contain more than one unit: e.g. for wine 1 unit is one small glass and for beer it is 1 half-pint of standard strength beer. As of cocktails, again, you need to know what drinks in what quantities are going in the particular cocktail. So without paying attention you are only safe with one drink per day. If you are tempted to take a second, you need to evaluate the unit amount.
The report says:
"To keep health risks from alcohol to a low level it is safest not to drink more than 14 units a week on a regular basis."
14 units are:
6 British pints of 4% beer (or 9.6 American 12 oz cans or bottles of 4% beer)
6 glasses of 13% wine
14 glasses of 40% spirits (liquor)
I hope this helps.
Here you can find the official report with the new recommendations (PDF; scroll to p. 21 and onwards):
Please note that alcohol is measured in units and not in glasses, because a glass can contain more than one unit: e.g. for wine 1 unit is one small glass and for beer it is 1 half-pint of standard strength beer. As of cocktails, again, you need to know what drinks in what quantities are going in the particular cocktail. So without paying attention you are only safe with one drink per day. If you are tempted to take a second, you need to evaluate the unit amount.
The report says:
"To keep health risks from alcohol to a low level it is safest not to drink more than 14 units a week on a regular basis."
14 units are:
6 British pints of 4% beer (or 9.6 American 12 oz cans or bottles of 4% beer)
6 glasses of 13% wine
14 glasses of 40% spirits (liquor)
I hope this helps.
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Gala - Name: Gala
- Who do you know with myeloma?: sister, LgA-k
- When were you/they diagnosed?: December 2015
- Age at diagnosis: 48
Re: Alcohol and multiple myeloma treatment
I did enjoy my red wine before myeloma diagnosis. I still imbibe but not as often and not as much. I do notice when I've had a weekend of drinking wine that my labs are always great. I don't notice anything with my kappa light chains, but my CBC is always better!
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Janet1520
Re: Alcohol and multiple myeloma treatment
Something unusual is happening to me. I never drank anything in my life, not even beer, I was what I think is called a teetotaler, or abstemious. I believe this is a sort of allergy, your body refuses the substance as a foreign body, and does not like the taste either. But I have always wet my lips with the red wine my husband sometimes drinks with meals, commenting with things like “ good!” or “ a bit acidic”
Well, a few months ago I started to drink one sip of the red Sicilian wine he bought. The next day too, and the following days also. I do not increase the quantity, but the funny thing is that I think about it. If there is no wine on the table I say “So? No drinking today?” Now I would have that one sip even by myself. It has to be red wine and Sicilian or Sardinian. Why? Who knows!
In Italy we have a proverb: “Buon vino fa buon sangue” which means “good wine makes good blood” . People here generally drink one glass of wine at mealtimes and I suppose the proverb relates to this kind of quantity.
So I wonder if my “myeloma affected body” is telling me that a moderate amount of wine will help. Maybe in time I will drink a bit more: strange to desire to drink more instead of less, isn’t it?
Well, a few months ago I started to drink one sip of the red Sicilian wine he bought. The next day too, and the following days also. I do not increase the quantity, but the funny thing is that I think about it. If there is no wine on the table I say “So? No drinking today?” Now I would have that one sip even by myself. It has to be red wine and Sicilian or Sardinian. Why? Who knows!
In Italy we have a proverb: “Buon vino fa buon sangue” which means “good wine makes good blood” . People here generally drink one glass of wine at mealtimes and I suppose the proverb relates to this kind of quantity.
So I wonder if my “myeloma affected body” is telling me that a moderate amount of wine will help. Maybe in time I will drink a bit more: strange to desire to drink more instead of less, isn’t it?
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Annamaria - Name: Annamaria
- Who do you know with myeloma?: I am a patient
- When were you/they diagnosed?: April 2012
- Age at diagnosis: 58
Re: Alcohol and multiple myeloma treatment
Alcohol has an immunosuppressive effect. This is what one survey says on the subject:
"An overwhelming amount of evidence reveals that both acute and chronic alcohol exposure suppresses all branches of the immune system, including early responses to infection and the tumor surveillance system"
Source:
Elizabeth J. Kovacs, Ph.D., and Kelly A.N. Messingham, Ph.D., "Influence of Alcohol and Gender on Immune Response," publication of the U.S. National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, 2003 (link to full text)
The production of immunoglobulins, which free light chains are part of, is one part of the immune system. Changes in kappa and lambda free light chain levels that seem connected to changes in alcohol consumption are most likely the result of alcohol's effects on the immune system – particularly when the quantities of alcohol involved amount to several drinks every day.
"An overwhelming amount of evidence reveals that both acute and chronic alcohol exposure suppresses all branches of the immune system, including early responses to infection and the tumor surveillance system"
Source:
Elizabeth J. Kovacs, Ph.D., and Kelly A.N. Messingham, Ph.D., "Influence of Alcohol and Gender on Immune Response," publication of the U.S. National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, 2003 (link to full text)
The production of immunoglobulins, which free light chains are part of, is one part of the immune system. Changes in kappa and lambda free light chain levels that seem connected to changes in alcohol consumption are most likely the result of alcohol's effects on the immune system – particularly when the quantities of alcohol involved amount to several drinks every day.
Re: Alcohol and multiple myeloma treatment
Because my doctor told me no alcohol, I totally stopped until I went into remission. Then I asked him about it and he said "in moderation". Now I have a glass of Malbec wine (has more resveratrol than other wines and that's supposed to be good for people - I don't know about multiple myeloma) 2 or 3 nights a week and an occasional beer if we have pizza. But, I have a Velcade shot every Tuesday (that's my maintenance schedule), and I never drink wine or beer on Monday, Tuesday, or Wednesday, just in case it would interfere with the Velcade. Didn't read that as advice, just my own personal thoughts.
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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: Alcohol and multiple myeloma treatment
I have been wondering the same thing as originally asked at the start of this thread.
My 83-year-old dad has recently been diagnosed with multiple myeloma. His Revlimid, Velcade, and dexamethasone (RVD) treatment has started 4 days back. His dosing regimen is:
Revlimid: 15 mg a day for 21 days
Velcade: Once a week
Dexamethasone: 10 mg twice a week.
He's been accustomed to having a small drink (or 2!) every evening, and is quite miserable that our doctor said to avoid all alcohol for 6 months while on induction treatment.
Is it acceptable to have a small drink while on Revlimid? Should we (his kids and caregivers) be firm and not allow him anything during his Induction treatment?
This is a scary journey and I'm freaking out with what to expect, especially considering his age
Thank you in advance for any responses, and also for all the inputs I've received from the posts here.
Happy weekend everyone.
My 83-year-old dad has recently been diagnosed with multiple myeloma. His Revlimid, Velcade, and dexamethasone (RVD) treatment has started 4 days back. His dosing regimen is:
Revlimid: 15 mg a day for 21 days
Velcade: Once a week
Dexamethasone: 10 mg twice a week.
He's been accustomed to having a small drink (or 2!) every evening, and is quite miserable that our doctor said to avoid all alcohol for 6 months while on induction treatment.
Is it acceptable to have a small drink while on Revlimid? Should we (his kids and caregivers) be firm and not allow him anything during his Induction treatment?
This is a scary journey and I'm freaking out with what to expect, especially considering his age
Thank you in advance for any responses, and also for all the inputs I've received from the posts here.
Happy weekend everyone.
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Sonia - Name: SG
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Parent
- When were you/they diagnosed?: October 2018
- Age at diagnosis: 83
Re: Alcohol and multiple myeloma treatment
I am in no way arguing with your doctor, but I can say I was greatly relieved when I was given no restrictions on food and drink when I started treatment with Revlimid and dexamethasone. My evening cocktail didn't seem to make any difference for me. That said, I was in my mid-50's then, and your dad's age and (potentially) other aspects of his health may play into your doctor's recommendation. Maybe you can get in touch with the doctor and plead your case as a significant quality of life issue?
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Mike F - Name: Mike F
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Me
- When were you/they diagnosed?: May 18, 2012
- Age at diagnosis: 53
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