All I can do is pray. Since my MGUS numbers have been rising, I now have to see my specialist every ...

1. Living with a Time Bomb
All I can do is pray. Since my MGUS numbers have been rising, I now have to see my specialist every
three months instead of every six months. Then I'm a basket case. My doctor has several MM
patients who have been diagnosed for six years, and my daughter, a nurse, sees a patient who's had
myeloma for ten years.
If you have MGUS, I know the range of emotions you're going through or have gone through. Never
heard of it? Neither had I until it was discovered on a routine blood test. I suggest visiting the
International Myeloma Foundation's website at http://myeloma.org/ and the Multiple Myeloma
Research Foundation at http://www.multiplemyeloma.org/. So if I live until I'm 76, I'll have a 50-50
chance - I'm 51 now. I was pretty upset, but he said my plasma cell numbers might never increase. I
also learned that my MGUS might never develop into multiple myeloma. Keep the prayers and good
thoughts coming! I sincerely appreciate all of your comments!
. With this in mind, you can probably understand why I was pretty much "freaking out."
I was able to see the oncologist-hematologist about ten days after I learned about my MGUS. I just
returned home from my six-month blood study, and the MGUS level was up. Either way, there's
nothing I can do about it, so worrying will only make me feel worse.
If you've been diagnosed with MGUS, try not to let it rule your life. Even so, she lasted less than a
year. I'm not going to let this dominate my life.
Some experts say that MGUS can be caused by lupus, inflammation, or even from severe arthritis.
You'll find all kinds of information there about the latest treatment for the disease, along with a
support group and other invaluable resources.
An update
On my last visit to the hematologist/oncologist, my MGUS numbers had shot up. Other experts
disagree, however. I did what most people do - I got on the internet and researched, learning
everything I could about MGUS.
I found out that white blood cells called plasma cells make proteins called immunoglobulins that
function as antibodies. I've already had my cry, and now I feel somewhat better. We had always been
extremely close; in fact, she was like my second mother. I have about a 2% chance a year of the
MGUS progressing into cancer. I choose to believe the first group. She lived just down the street
from us, and when I was a kid, I stayed with her while my mom worked. If it continues to rise, my
doctor will perform a bone marrow biopsy. Raised levels of these proteins are seen in patients with

2. multiple myeloma and lymphoma. My oncologist said the number would have to be 10% for a
dignosis of MM. Since those blood tests were good, I didn't have to have the bone marrow biopsy.
I did, however, have to have a complete skeletal survey. I realize that's easier to say than do. You're
not alone. The particular protein they found in my blood is related to multiple myeloma.
In July of 2000, my aunt was diagnosed with multiple myeloma. Sometimes I feel as if I have a
ticking time bomb inside that's just waiting to explode. With new treatments and technologies,
multiple myeloma victims are living longer and better quality lives. Amazingly, as soon as I've
received good reports, my numbers return to normal. They fight invading bacteria and viruses. Her
daughter lived there and was a health care professional, so my aunt was able to see the best
myeloma doctors right away. This was just a series of x-rays to look at my bones for any lesions or
"holes." Fortunately, none were found. At the time, I was 49. When one of these proteins gets "out of
whack" and starts cloning itself, it's called monoclonal gammopathy. I guess the frustrating part is
that nothing http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/02/27/zofran-pregnancy_n_2776753.html can be
done about the MGUS until or unless it develops into multiple myeloma. They found 5-10% plasma
cells. I really hate having MGUS.
Latest Update
I had a bone marrow biopsy/marrow aspiration in April, 2011. He said that 1% of the population over
the age of 50 have the condition. I have severe arthritis, so maybe that's why I have the MGUS. Just
goes to show you how detrimental stress can be!
I have to have blood tests every six months, and a 24-hour urine test once a year. When I got the lab
reports from my doctor's office to forward to Social Security for an entirely different condition, the
numbers were highlighted in yellow, and zofran lawsuit birth defects a note at the bottom of the
page read, "Refer to oncologist/hematologist." Of course, I was alarmed. I told the nurse I didn't
have to worry about multiple myeloma - I'd die from a stroke first. I called the doctor and the staff
refused to tell me anything, I couldn't get in to see the physician for over a week. They're just
"watching it."
I try hard not to even think about the MGUS, and I do a pretty good job of that except for when it's
time for the tests. He was very patient and informative. Even if the worst happens, and your MGUS
develops into multiple myeloma, MM isn't the quick death sentence it was just a few years ago.
I have MGUS - monoclonal gammopathy of unknown significance. Aunt Tinkie went to Atlanta for the
latest treatments. It has been as high as 180/110. My blood pressure is usually about 130 over 70,
but when I go in to see the oncologist for my test results, it always shoots up. My physician was
going to schedule a bone marrow biopsy but decided to do some more intense blood tests before
ordering the procedure