Hi,
I'm from England and have just found this site. I am worried about my wife's latest M-spike reading and would really appreciate some advice.
We were in a car accident in January and my wife was injured. In March as she was not healing well, her consultant did some blood tests for myeloma and the result was that she had an M Spike of 14 g/L (1.4 g/dL).
She was then referred to a myeloma consultant who did a bone scan and a test on her bone marrow. The bone scan did not show anything and the bone marrow had 4% plasma cells. The consultant told us that she had MGUS from these readings.
Two months later she had another set of bloods done and this time the M Spike was 13.8 g/L (1.38 g/dL). Now, 3 months after the 2nd set of bloods, she has had a third lot done, but this time the M Spike was 16 g/L (1.6 g/dL).
I do not really understand a lot about this, but the question I was hoping someone could tell me is if this jump from 13.8 to 16 is a lot and is it unusual to have such a jump?
Also is it likely to keep going up at this rate?
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Re: Wife has MGUS, latest M-spike reading is up
There are details that are important here. For example: What is her abnormal protein exactly -- IgG IgM or IgA? Are her free light chains abnormal? Did she have any cytogenetic / molecular abnormalities from her bone marrow biopsy? etc.
But, generally speaking, the risk of an average MGUS progressing to myeloma in any given year is very low (less than 2%). Her M-spike truly has not changed very much -- that is a very small relative change, and the M-spike itself is not very precise as it relates to small changes. It would be helpful to know whether other related measurements had changed.
It is unlikely that anything has fundamentally changed with her condition, but her doctor would be bet able to answer this in context. Probably does not have to be checked as often as it is. Often anxiety alone results from too many tests.
Hope this helps lower the stress level. Happy to clarify further if needed.
But, generally speaking, the risk of an average MGUS progressing to myeloma in any given year is very low (less than 2%). Her M-spike truly has not changed very much -- that is a very small relative change, and the M-spike itself is not very precise as it relates to small changes. It would be helpful to know whether other related measurements had changed.
It is unlikely that anything has fundamentally changed with her condition, but her doctor would be bet able to answer this in context. Probably does not have to be checked as often as it is. Often anxiety alone results from too many tests.
Hope this helps lower the stress level. Happy to clarify further if needed.
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Dr. James Hoffman - Name: James E. Hoffman, M.D.
Beacon Medical Advisor
Re: Wife has MGUS, latest M-spike reading is up
Dr Hoffman,
Thank you so much for your reply. It has eased my mind a lot . These things are very worrying when you do not really understand them.
In answer to your questions. Her M-spike is IgG. The specialist is going to do a light chains test for her next appointment in December. The specialist did not give any details about bone marrow other than the fact that it was 4% plasma cells. I assume he would have told us if there had been other abnormalities.
All other blood tests were within range, except her creatinine reading was 95 when it was tested in March, and is now 96. We were told that it should be between 60 and 80, so this has been worrying us a bit, as it seems to be quite high and from what I have read about risk factors, this could probably mean she has light chains that are out of range, which could mean she is more high risk of progression.
As I have said, we will get the result of the light chain test in December. Sorry I have not got any more info. It would seem there is so much I do not know, so I will have to do more studying. I am learning a lot, however, by reading on this site.
Many thanks again.
Thank you so much for your reply. It has eased my mind a lot . These things are very worrying when you do not really understand them.
In answer to your questions. Her M-spike is IgG. The specialist is going to do a light chains test for her next appointment in December. The specialist did not give any details about bone marrow other than the fact that it was 4% plasma cells. I assume he would have told us if there had been other abnormalities.
All other blood tests were within range, except her creatinine reading was 95 when it was tested in March, and is now 96. We were told that it should be between 60 and 80, so this has been worrying us a bit, as it seems to be quite high and from what I have read about risk factors, this could probably mean she has light chains that are out of range, which could mean she is more high risk of progression.
As I have said, we will get the result of the light chain test in December. Sorry I have not got any more info. It would seem there is so much I do not know, so I will have to do more studying. I am learning a lot, however, by reading on this site.
Many thanks again.
Re: Wife has MGUS, latest M-spike reading is up
Dell,
Sorry I missed your post before. There is so much to follow and to learn even with MGUS, isn't there? Dr. Hoffman gave you a great reply. I was only diagnosed this past April, but what I've found from poring over test after test and becoming a bit obsessed, honestly, is that it's important to look at the big three: M-spike, bone marrow results, and CRAB.
As for her creatinine, I do not know what to make of it, but as you say, she will be tested in December, so perhaps some light will be shed on that subject then. Had you asked the doctor about it before?
Wishing you all the best and please do feel free to post questions on the forums.
Toni
Sorry I missed your post before. There is so much to follow and to learn even with MGUS, isn't there? Dr. Hoffman gave you a great reply. I was only diagnosed this past April, but what I've found from poring over test after test and becoming a bit obsessed, honestly, is that it's important to look at the big three: M-spike, bone marrow results, and CRAB.
As for her creatinine, I do not know what to make of it, but as you say, she will be tested in December, so perhaps some light will be shed on that subject then. Had you asked the doctor about it before?
Wishing you all the best and please do feel free to post questions on the forums.
Toni
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Toni - Name: Toni
- Who do you know with myeloma?: self - MGUS
- When were you/they diagnosed?: April 2014
- Age at diagnosis: 51
Re: Wife has MGUS, latest M-spike reading is up
Toni,
Thank you so much for your reply. Yes, there is a lot to find out and everytime something happens, you look up something else that worries you as you do not completely understand it. That is why it is so nice when people such as yourself take an interest and reply.
In answer to your question, I was not with my wife on her last visit to the specialist, as I was in hospital having an operation and my wife does not think of asking questions until she gets home and thinks about what was said. Unfortunately here in England, although our health service is very good and my wife is having excellent treatment, it is very difficult to get in touch with the specialist consultant in between the 3 monthly appointments to ask questions, so unfortunately if you do not think of the questions at the time, you have to wait 3 months.
Thank you again for your answer.
Dell
PS If anyone else has any thoughts on the creatinine / light chains I would appreciate their input.
Thank you so much for your reply. Yes, there is a lot to find out and everytime something happens, you look up something else that worries you as you do not completely understand it. That is why it is so nice when people such as yourself take an interest and reply.
In answer to your question, I was not with my wife on her last visit to the specialist, as I was in hospital having an operation and my wife does not think of asking questions until she gets home and thinks about what was said. Unfortunately here in England, although our health service is very good and my wife is having excellent treatment, it is very difficult to get in touch with the specialist consultant in between the 3 monthly appointments to ask questions, so unfortunately if you do not think of the questions at the time, you have to wait 3 months.
Thank you again for your answer.
Dell
PS If anyone else has any thoughts on the creatinine / light chains I would appreciate their input.
Re: Wife has MGUS, latest M-spike reading is up
Dell,
Ah, well that explains a bit. Perhaps in the next three months we can help you come up with good questions to ask and have a list for the upcoming appointment with the specialist. If your wife has significant or concerning symptoms before then, you can get in to see a health care provider, correct?
What I've learned is to try to keep in mind the bigger picture. The Myeloma Beacon is a great resource of information. Try to read all the articles on MGUS and the postings on MGUS to learn more. I think even physicians who specialize in myeloma would tell you they are still learning.
Well wishing you all the best and yes, I hope someone can enlighten us on the light chains and creatinine in your wife's case.
Toni
Ah, well that explains a bit. Perhaps in the next three months we can help you come up with good questions to ask and have a list for the upcoming appointment with the specialist. If your wife has significant or concerning symptoms before then, you can get in to see a health care provider, correct?
What I've learned is to try to keep in mind the bigger picture. The Myeloma Beacon is a great resource of information. Try to read all the articles on MGUS and the postings on MGUS to learn more. I think even physicians who specialize in myeloma would tell you they are still learning.
Well wishing you all the best and yes, I hope someone can enlighten us on the light chains and creatinine in your wife's case.
Toni
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Toni - Name: Toni
- Who do you know with myeloma?: self - MGUS
- When were you/they diagnosed?: April 2014
- Age at diagnosis: 51
Re: Wife has MGUS, latest M-spike reading is up
Toni,
Many thanks for your reply. To answer your question, yes. Although it is not easy to speak to the hospital specialist between appointments, it is quite simple to get an appointment with her GP doctor, who could refer her back up the hospital if necessary.
Dell
Many thanks for your reply. To answer your question, yes. Although it is not easy to speak to the hospital specialist between appointments, it is quite simple to get an appointment with her GP doctor, who could refer her back up the hospital if necessary.
Dell
7 posts
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