[chris1171Participant]

Hi all; 47 year old male. I was found to be anemic 3 years ago, as my Blood count dropped to 8.0 mg.
I ended up having Colonscopy, gastroscopy, MRI and Pill cam, to rule out Bowel related diseases etc.
This all came back negative, and they attributed this to Hemorhoids, which they admitted sounded odd due to the large drop. I had iron tablets, and this went back to normal. They also found a “high”IgM level,which was just over the high threshold. Fast forward 3 years and I’m anemic again and need further tests. There are no physical symptoms at present.
1)if i had smouldering Myeloma, would this make me anemic?
2)Would i see any physical symtoms after 3 years with either Smouldering Myeloma or Multiple Myeloma?

Appreciate any info, I’m worried sick.

thanks

Chris

[shaun3Participant]

Hi Chris,

Sorry to hear tht you’re worried which of course is very natural. I’m a bit older than you, 53, and was diagnosed at stage 1. So I don’t really know a lot about Smouldering or MGUS. I do remember Straight after diagnosis, in Mar 18, googling everything but I soon learned tht the MyelomaUk was a great source of trusted advice. They’ve got an info sheet on Smouldering Myeloma which I hope helps:

https://www.myeloma.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/Myeloma-UK-Smouldering-myeloma-Infosheet.pdf

Important of course to really understand what you’re dealing with so diagnosis is essential. It might no seem it now but there ar lots of treatment options and a whole load of reasons to be positive about the future – if it is Myeloma.

Sending positive vibes you way buddy.

Shaun

[chris1171Participant]

Hi Shaun, thanks so much for the link and kind words, really appreciated mate.
Wishing you all the very best, and everyone else on this forum.

Cheers!

[finnParticipant]

Hi Chris,
Multiple myeloma can inhibit production of red blood cells which you can see as anemia, as these cells bind iron. You cannot correct myeloma anemia with eating iron tablets though, as the cause for this anemia is not lower iron levels but cell levels. If you can correct anemia with iron tablets (iron defiency anemia), the cause is most likely either not absorbing enough iron (coeliac disease caused by gluten allergy for example) or stomach or gut problems (such as ulcer, bowel disease). Of course there are other possible causes (kidney disease, bleeding disorders, hemolytic anemia caused by fragile blood cells, parasite infection) and it is a good idea to go through some tests to work out the reason for your anemia, especially as you have an increased IgM level. All the best

[chris1171Participant]

Hi Finn, many thanks for coming back on this also, it’s really appreciated. Apologies also for clogging up the message board, it’s just the waiting to get to the next appointment is like torture and I’m scrambling for information, so thank you once again for the excellent information, and to Shaun for his link, posted yesterday.
Wishing you all the very best.

Chris

[avantrompParticipant]

Hallo Chris
Myeloma treatments that I have had always affected my HB levels. I have several times had to have a blood transfusion because of this. Now however I give myself an epo(Binocrit) injection every few weeks to keep my red blood cells at an acceptable level. Perhaps you remember, epo is what racing cyclists were accused of using to increase their oxygen levels.
Annette

[chris1171Participant]

Hello Annette, thanks for your reply. I assume that Iron tablets also didn’t work work for you though, as detailed by Finn?
Interesting about the link to the cyclists. Wishing you well

[shaun3Participant]

Hi Chris,

I was thinking about your post when reading an email from the Myeloma Foundation this morning. Dr Drurie is a Scot who lives in the US and is one of the leading Myeloma specialists in the world. One of the big 8. Anyway he runs the foundation and they provide really good info and advice. He’s running a webinar next month on living well with Smoulering and MGUS. You might be interested:

https://www.myeloma.org/events/living-well-myeloma-mgus-smoldering-myeloma-newly-diagnosed

Good luck

Shaun

[chris1171Participant]

Hi Shaun, thanks for the link, much appreciated!

Best wishes

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