[BenzParticipant]

Appears that quite a number on here have been diagnosed whilst being investigated or treated for other issues but others had typical symptoms.

What sort of journeys have which ultimately resulted in diagnosis?

[PerkymiteParticipant]

My impression is that Myeloma is undetectable in the initial stages unless you are lucky enough to have a really switched on Doctor!

My MM was diagnosed after it ate the 4th vertebrae in my neck, however the Consultant, after studying my medical records, said that she thought I had had it for at two years. Two huge clues which were missed were; persistent urinary tract infections and having a DVT for no apparent reason. There were other smaller clues which would have helped to build the big picture but nobody was looking!

Myeloma UK were running a Doctor Awareness campaign in 2009 and I got 36 of the leaflets and personally address one to each Doctor in Taunton, Somerset, my home town. It may not help me but I am hopeful it might have helped others.

That campaign is starting again I think and I urge everybody to take part, not only with your GP but [u][b]every GP in your town[/b][/u]!

Kindest Regards ? Vasbyte

David

[KevinLParticipant]

I was having an MRI scan for a digestive problem when a very alert analyist spotted some vertebrae appeared damaged.

This lead to an immediate referral to a consultant who having seen the blood tests warned me it appeared to be MM. There then followed a fully body scan, MRI scan of spine, and bone biopsy. These combined with the blood tests lead to my diagnosis.

I have now started treatment and on my third cycle the initial treatment.

Prior to all that I had no real symptoms although looking back I was getting very tired and achy but I'd put that down to digestive problems!

Kevin
Sussex

[BenzParticipant]

Appreciate the responses to date. Thanks!

Hopefully once diagnosis happened the medical response and treatment started quickly.

Take care.

Scott

[KevinLParticipant]

Scott

Yes the treatment started within two weeks of the diagnosis.

Kevin

[PilgrimParticipant]

Welcome Benz

It does appear that a lot of people here have never had any forewarning before something dramatic has happened but Plasma Cell Dyscrasias or Monoclonal Gammopathies (I'm no expert) can be very varied in their symptoms and effects.

I'm different (and flippant) and have a multitude of symptoms, but nothing critical, which sort of make me an equivalent to a white or yellow belt if you think in karate terms. I am categorised as MGUS which can be nothing or represent the run up to one of the family of Myeloma illnesses.

I have recorded my stats elsewhere here and from what I have read they put me at increased risk of progression, but my symptoms may suggest something else is at work. My FLC score of 131 may seem high at five times normal but someone here mentioned a score of 31,000.

Without significant symptoms it's usually a waiting game to see how your scores progress, which is sensible, even if it is frustrating and worrying. I take the view that I don't want to feel worse than I do already with unnecessary treatment.

[teds31Participant]

Hi benz, I have smouldering Myeloma and have had it for over 5 years,it is hard to come to terms with as there are very few symptoms and little effects (if you are lucky) yet you have the worry of not knowing whats around the corner ,as Pilgrim said its a waiting game. Also there is the problem that on sites such as this we feel a bit of a fraud as we have no treatment and no symptoms ,so no worries,but believe me when it comes round to that appointment time worry I do!!!
Try to keep positive and enjoy the present. Ted

[PeterJamesParticipant]

As an avid reader of the posts, I was luckily diagnosed by a chance from a routine unconnected blood test & my doc said , did you know you were anaemic , as if you would !plus he did not like other bits inthe sample, so quickly to Heamatologist who did all the tests but skated round the word cancer for some reason , he mentioned myeloma & I thought I had got skin cancer , never heard of MM
Then to my specialist for proof positive via bone marrow from hip , done what felt like a brace & bit
Some articles infer that it is a disease for older people , but from the posts a lot of writers are a lot younger than me
& have joined our merry club
Most seem to have been undiagnosed until disaster struck
Some like me can consider ourselves very lucky that we were caught early, more by good luck than medical science
Some clues like back or hip pains can apply to anyone over 50 getting a bit creaky
Either way to quote a friend of mine , we are where we are !
It would seem that many roads lead to MM
Peter

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