1) The document discusses living with monoclonal gammopathy of unknown significance (MGUS), a condition where abnormal plasma cells produce M-proteins which could potentially develop into multiple myeloma. 2) Patients with MGUS require regular monitoring of blood tests and bone marrow biopsies to check if the condition has developed into multiple myeloma. 3) While worrying about MGUS progressing is understandable, the document encourages patients to not let it dominate their lives and to seek support from others also living with the condition.

1. Living with a Time Bomb
When one of these proteins gets "out of whack" and starts cloning itself, it's called monoclonal
gammopathy. With new treatments and technologies, multiple myeloma victims are living longer and
better quality lives. We had always been extremely close; in fact, she was like my second mother. 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. I
choose to believe the first group. 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. 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. They found 5-10% plasma cells. I told the
nurse I didn't have to worry about multiple myeloma - I'd die from a stroke first. My physician was
going to schedule a bone marrow biopsy but decided to do some more intense blood tests before
ordering the procedure.
I have MGUS - monoclonal gammopathy of unknown significance. Since my MGUS numbers have
been rising, I now zofran lawsuit cases have to see my specialist every three months instead of every
six months. 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.
Aunt Tinkie went to Atlanta for the latest treatments. I also learned that my MGUS might never
develop into multiple myeloma. They fight invading bacteria and viruses. Raised levels of these
proteins are seen in patients with multiple myeloma and lymphoma. If it continues to rise, my doctor
will perform a bone marrow biopsy. You're not alone. He was very patient and informative. Never
heard of it? Neither had I until it was discovered on a routine blood test. 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. I've already had my cry, and now I feel somewhat better. Then I'm a basket case. This was just a
series of x-rays to look at my bones for any lesions or "holes." Fortunately, none were found. Just

2. 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. I have about a 2%
chance a year of the MGUS progressing into cancer. Amazingly, as soon as I've received good
reports, my numbers return to normal. I did
http://www.fertilitycenter.com/fertility_cares_blog/fda-warns-against-zofran-use-in-pregnancy/ 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. 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 was pretty upset, but he said my
plasma cell numbers might never increase. 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. 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. I have severe arthritis, so maybe that's why I have the MGUS. It has been as high
as 180/110. Her daughter lived there and was a health care professional, so my aunt was able to see
the best myeloma doctors right away. I just returned home from my six-month blood study, and the
MGUS level was up. Even so, she lasted less than a year. Keep the prayers and good thoughts
coming! I sincerely appreciate all of your comments!
. I guess the frustrating part is that nothing can be done about the MGUS until or unless it develops
into multiple myeloma. So if I live until I'm 76, I'll have a 50-50 chance - I'm 51 now. She lived just
down the street from us, and when I was a kid, I stayed with her while my mom worked. I really hate
having MGUS.
Latest Update
I had a bone marrow biopsy/marrow aspiration in April, 2011. My oncologist said the number would
have to be 10% for a dignosis of MM. He said that 1% of the population over the age of 50 have the
condition. At the time, I was 49. The particular protein they found in my blood is related to multiple
myeloma.
In July of 2000, my aunt was diagnosed with multiple myeloma. All I can do is pray. Other experts
disagree, however. Sometimes I feel as if I have a ticking time bomb inside that's just waiting to
explode. I realize that's easier to say than do. 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. 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 a note at the bottom of the page read, "Refer to oncologist/hematologist."
Of course, I was alarmed. I suggest visiting the International Myeloma Foundation's website at
http://myeloma.org/ and the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation at
http://www.multiplemyeloma.org/. 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