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@chgohotdog

My husband has had MM for over 8 years and still is not on any medication. We have him take a blood test 3 times a year. He developed CLL 2 years ago as well and we watch the numbers with no treatment. He has no symptoms except backaches which he had prior to MM as well.

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Replies to "My husband has had MM for over 8 years and still is not on any medication...."

@chgohotdog good to hear that there has been no progression for your husband. I have not been diagnosed with MM and instead have a MGUS dx with stable “numbers” from blood analysis and no renal involvement, bone lesions or other symptoms save neuropathy in my feet (which may be attributable to type II diabetes which is very well controlled so I do suspect it’s attributable to MGUS)
I have opted for a conservative watch and wait strategy which includes frequent blood analysis and scans to detect bone lesions, but I have opted to wait on diagnostic tests such as bone biopsy. If there is a change in any of that I will reassess.
My hem/onc physician sits with me and goes over all of this on a regular basis and we see no compelling reason to do anything else at this time. I feel good. If something changes we will take a more aggressive approach. I’m way too stubborn to go softly into that dark night.
It sounds as though your spouse gets frequent follow ups. If he has confidence that his hem/onc doc is experienced in MM treatment and he checks off all the boxes for those telltale signs of progression, it sounds like a best case scenario. For me, and I was a medical social worker prior to retirement, if I progress to smoldering or full-blown MM, I will seek a second medical opinion.
I throw no shade on my very experienced, well-trained hematologist/oncologist. He’s great and I trust him, but I want more than one set of eyes on my treatment strategy, even if it is watchful waiting. I want another 20 or so years of health so I can watch grandchildren and great grandchildren drive THEIR parents crazy. 😂
Wishing you and your husband the best possible outcomes.
Patty

@chgohotdog Welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. This is a great story to hear, about your husband. The watchful surveillance is a good way to handle a disease like this. Going onto medications is not for the faint of heart, let me tell you!

Do you know the type of mm he has?
Ginger