This week's poll asks where myeloma patients' M-spikes hover during treatment, such as maintenance therapy.
Plasma cells typically produce a variety of antibodies that fight infection. However, people with MGUS, smoldering myeloma, multiple myeloma, and other related conditions have abnormal plasma cells that produce the same type of abnormal antibody that is unable to fight infection. This abnormal antibody is known as monoclonal protein (M-protein). This M-protein is often found in large amounts in the blood and urine. M-spike refers to the sharp peak that occurs on protein electrophoresis when M-protein is present.
A few clarifications about this week's poll:
First of all, this poll is for people diagnosed with multiple myeloma (not smoldering myeloma or monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance - separate polls for those conditions were run last week).
Second, if you are a caregiver or family member of a myeloma patient, feel free to answer on their behalf.
Third, this poll is open to anyone who currently has a stable M-spike and is being treated with anti-myeloma therapy, such as maintenance therapy. (Two weeks ago, we ran a poll for myeloma patients currently in a treatment-free phase or who are only receiving a bisphosphonate, such as Zometa (zoledronic acid) or Aredia (pomidronate), to prevent further bone damage.)
Fourth, for the purpose of this poll, a stable M-spike would be one that has been nearly the same for at least the past three months. If your M-spike fluctuates between two of the poll's options, please select that option that more often fits your M-spike
Fifth, it should be noted that M-spikes are typically reported with units of g/dL in the United States but are often reported with units of g/L in many other countries. To convert from g/L to g/dL, simply divide the number by 10. For example, an M-spike of 10 g/L is equivalent to 1 g/dL.
As always, feel free to post comments, thoughts, or feedback about this week's poll in the space below. They can be very useful to other readers.
Here's a link to the past poll for myeloma patients who are not currently being treated:
https://myelomabeacon.org/forum/weekly-poll-stable-m-spike-without-treatment-t2248.html
Here's the link to the poll for people with smoldering multiple myeloma:
https://myelomabeacon.org/forum/weekly-poll-smoldering-myeloma-m-spike-t2286.html
Here's the link to the poll for people with MGUS:
https://myelomabeacon.org/forum/weekly-poll-mgus-m-spike-t2285.html
Forums
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Re: Weekly Poll - Stable M-Spike During Treatment
I think this is the right response. Is the mSpike part of the SPEP? My Pro were high in the beta region with a level of 4 at diagnosis.
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WeatherNurse13 - Name: Gracie
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Self
- When were you/they diagnosed?: 10/2012
- Age at diagnosis: 49
Re: Weekly Poll - Stable M-Spike During Treatment
WeatherNurse13,
The M-spike is part of the serum protein electrophoresis (SPEP). It is usually found in the gamma region, though.
Please note that for this poll we're interested in the M-spike of patients when they have stable disease, not at diagnosis. Perhaps we'll ask in a future poll about patients' M-spike levels at diagnosis.
The M-spike is part of the serum protein electrophoresis (SPEP). It is usually found in the gamma region, though.
Please note that for this poll we're interested in the M-spike of patients when they have stable disease, not at diagnosis. Perhaps we'll ask in a future poll about patients' M-spike levels at diagnosis.
Re: Weekly Poll - Stable M-Spike During Treatment
My M Spike went from more than 1,000 to "not observed!"
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1motts
Re: Weekly Poll - Stable M-Spike During Treatment
My mSpike level is now a 0.8 for the past few months. I was just trying to figure out which one level was the right spike. I am in remission and on maintenance.
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WeatherNurse13 - Name: Gracie
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Self
- When were you/they diagnosed?: 10/2012
- Age at diagnosis: 49
Re: Weekly Poll - Stable M-Spike During Treatment
I have light chain multiple myeloma and have never had a measureable M spike.
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Ron Harvot - Name: Ron Harvot
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Myself
- When were you/they diagnosed?: Feb 2009
- Age at diagnosis: 56
Re: Weekly Poll - Stable M-Spike During Treatment
Ron Harvot wrote:
> I have light chain multiple myeloma and have never had a measureable M
> spike.
This is the same with my mom.
> I have light chain multiple myeloma and have never had a measureable M
> spike.
This is the same with my mom.
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dnalex - Name: Alex N.
- Who do you know with myeloma?: mother
- When were you/they diagnosed?: 2007
- Age at diagnosis: 56
7 posts
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