Dont worry too much yet wait for the test results and read up on MM as suggested, I’ve been smoldering for about 7 years so I am lucky you may be too. Ted

Hi David,
I found out about light chains last time I went to see the consultant and wondered what it was all about, but there is a good pamphlet you can download (or just read) on this site under the information section. Ted.

Hi Wendy, The amount of Parprotien in the blood gives a indication of the progress of the MM it can vary quite a lot and is different for each person as MM is a very personal disease, mine last time was 12, not a lot different to yours really.I go 3 or 4 times a year and they just take the blood samples and measure the Paraprotien and the light…[Read more]

Hi Wendy, I have had Smouldering myeloma for 7 years and still going strong, I have been lucky I know that, but every one is different and its a very individual disease. While you are smouldering do as my consultant advises and make the most of it and live every day. Good luck and may you smoulder for a long time. Ted

Hi Chris, Been trying to get to you for a couple of days but the forum wouldn’t work for me. I am a lot older than you (82) but I have been smouldering for 7 years, its not easy but of course its much better than the alternative which a lot of people on here have to suffer. There is a leaflet that you can download and print out (go to Information…[Read more]

Hi Nick, I cant help you much but it might be a good idea if you knew what “Light chains and Paraprotien” was there are several good leaflets that you can download from the Publications on this site, very helpful if you want to know more or want other people to understand. Ted

hi Sarah, Very sorry to hear your news and I hope that things will get better. Afraid I cant help with counselling , but I too suffer with chest infections as I have a chest problem to start with and then the problem of damage to the immune system due to the MM, I find that all I am offered is antibiotics and I have had about 5 bouts since…[Read more]

Hi, Is it true that blood tests don't always show MM as it has to be a particular one. I had a blood test for a chest problem and they must have done the right one because my GP did another test(Bench Jones) and that's when they found my MM.I saw Bench Jones on the note to the nurse, I then went home and looked it up on the computer WOW what a…[Read more]

Hi Eve what I meant was the scale used to measure the light chains has been changed. My light chains changed from 500 to about 900, which made them think things were happening, then the Lab changed the scales they use to measure the light chains, and the next reading was 200, I was quite happy with that until they said the scales had changed and…[Read more]

Hi All Hope you don't mind me coming back to this topic, but I have been back to the MM clinic today and all seems well so far. The information I managed to get regarding the immune system and other treatments such as operations, they said that the immune system is effected by the MM though it does vary according to the severity of the MM and the…[Read more]

Well done Paul, keep it up mate. Ted

I'm at St.James at Leeds, and we also have a huge cancer dept ,there are always several docs there and it seems just chance which one you get, they are very nice to talk to and I have asked several people whether they all know what the others do and it seems that it just depends on who it is and how busy they are. At the moment with all the…[Read more]

1st Mothas, I see what you mean, Diverticulitis is treatable with antibiotics but the thing is Diverticular disease which is when the inner bowel wall pushes through the outer wall is permanent
and the only treatment is to cut out the offending bit.
Dia, You seem to have the worst of both worlds and it shows that one problem can have an…[Read more]

Hi Laura, Just to say if you want info sheets to help understand things or to show to other people and relitives, you can click on the Myeloma UK publictions at the top of this page and select the info you need then print it off. Hope that helps. Take care. Ted

Thanks Mothas, thats really interesting your the first person I have spoken to who as actually had the operation.Things with me are not as bad as you discribe and that makes the decition even harder as I could manage it without surgery ,the thing is for how long. As I said before I have a chest problem also, which goes to make things harder, and I…[Read more]

Thanks Helen, Thats a big help I knew some one would know. I dont seem to have a nurse specialist, probably because I dont have treament. I do have to go for more tests in a few weeks and the surgen said she would see me after the results are known, so I will wait and ask them then. Ted

Hi Jane and phil, It is some thing I have not come across or even considered and it put a new light on MM if we cant have surgery things could be really difficult in the future. Wonder if any one with medical knowledge on here as an opinion. I go to the MM clinic in a couple of weeks I will ask thier opinion. Ted

Hi Ann,, it all seems very confusing, in my case I have smoldering MM so I dont have symptoms or treatment (as yet) so its hard to say if my immune system has been effected. ted

Thanks Tom, yes I think thats exactly what she was saying ,though she was not an expert on MM and as we all know its a very litte known thing that even medical people get wrong occationally, looking on this site people seem to have had operations for bone and spine problems,so I dont know. I do know I will ask a lot more questions before I make…[Read more]

Hi Helen ,thanks for the reply, I also have a chest problem so half the NHS will have to talk to each other 🙂 but the interview was left at more tests on the bowel problem and then we will get to talk again. I wouldnt say the bowel problem was non urgent but I could live without the opp I think,too many other after effects that I dont really…[Read more]