I dont have all the information, and I dont want to 'pry', but my dad has recently been diagnosed with multiple myeloma. I dont want to start asking him too many questions just yet, so this is just from what I have heard from my mum.
I would like to know roughly what his prognosis is.
In a routine blood test about 8 months ago an m spike of 13 was detected. Everything else in his blood were at normal levels. He was sent for bone scans and his bones were fine - nothing wrong with them.
He is 74, but played football (soccer) up until he was 70. In great health - never had any significant illness. He says himself he's had none of the usual symptoms at all. He felt in great health.
It was decided to just monitor the condition.
Then about a month ago his m-spike had gone up to 23. I am perfectly happy to accept I dont have all the information(blood results etc). So just going on what I am providing - what is going on? And what kind of prognosis would be expected? Im quite happy for you to say what I have just said doesnt make sense.at all - because from what ive read on the Internet it doesn't really! (And im quite happy to accept my mum and dad have picked something up wrongly)
Hes 74, great health, bones fine, apart from the m-spike all his other blood levels are fine. The last m-spike was 23, so they started him on melphalan, prednisone, and thalidomide. I dont know dosages for the M and P. For his first month he was on 50mg of Thalidomide, this is the start of his second month and it has been put up to 100mg.
He hasnt really and too many side effects, maybe a bit light headed. He did get a bit of an infection in the middle of his first month and so was put on antibiotics which cleared things up.
Ive been told roughly for the next 6 months he will take M and P for one week every month, and be continuously on Thalidomide. Then hopefully the myeloma should be in remmision.
Im pretty level headed, and would rather know some thing than not, and then just adjust accordingly.
So the questions are:
What is going on here - ie does the info I have provided 'hang together' or is there some part of the jigsaw missing? Why have they started treatment when no symptoms? (If helpfull its the British NHS), From the info Ive provided can you tell me what stage his myeloma is at? And roughly what sort of time frame should I be thinking about?
I really dont want to start bombarding my parents with questions just now, so its just a 'what is likely' scenario I am after (or no - that doesnt make sense), then my parents might say something and it will all fall into place.
Thanking you in advance
Forums
4 posts
• Page 1 of 1
Re: What stage is my Dad at
Your Dad is lucky to have you as part of his team. I would say that with an m-spike of 23 your Dad has multiple myeloma and it's good that he is being treated. Having said that, I was just at a multiple myeloma conference and a doctor told the group that you treat the symptoms not the disease.If you can get your Dad to go for a second opinion with a multiple myeloma speciallist that would be very beneficial. Good luck to you and your Dad.
-
Linda
Re: What stage is my Dad at
Dr. Martha Lacy from the Mayo Clinic said:
"Unfortunately, I cannot comment on your father's situation with such limited information.
For our American readers I can clarify that an m-pike of 23 gm/L in the UK is equivalent to an m-spike of 2.3 gm/dL in the US.
Melphalan, prednisone and thalidomide is considered the standard regimen for newly diagnosed patients who are not candidates for stem cell transplant. This is especially true in Europe."
"Unfortunately, I cannot comment on your father's situation with such limited information.
For our American readers I can clarify that an m-pike of 23 gm/L in the UK is equivalent to an m-spike of 2.3 gm/dL in the US.
Melphalan, prednisone and thalidomide is considered the standard regimen for newly diagnosed patients who are not candidates for stem cell transplant. This is especially true in Europe."
Re: What stage is my Dad at
Many thanks for both your replies.
It seems to be early stages anyway. When I was googling I got a bit of a fright at first re prognosis. After more research I feel a lot more hopeful. I will just have to keep listening to what my mum says and hopefully everything will fall into place.
Once again - thanks
It seems to be early stages anyway. When I was googling I got a bit of a fright at first re prognosis. After more research I feel a lot more hopeful. I will just have to keep listening to what my mum says and hopefully everything will fall into place.
Once again - thanks
-
efran
4 posts
• Page 1 of 1