Diagnosed with MGUS and CHIP with M spike

Hi. Yes, I was very disappointed with my visit with him. I’m going to speak with my rheumatologist and PCP soon at my appointments and see what they say say. My SLE dermatologist immediately changed my rash medication upon hearing the MGS chip and M spike results. My cardiac doctor also immediately had me do several tests on my heart. I will let you know what my rheumatologist and PCP say when I have my appointments in the next couple of weeks. Thanks for asking. 😊

Hello. I had A great discussion with my rheumatologist regarding the MG US, etc. I asked him to be Frank answering my questions and he was. He explained there is a relationship between autoimmune diseases and Multiple myeloma. Folks with an auto immune disease understand that your body is not able to fight infection, etc. as well as someone that does not have an auto immune disease. Our bodies also fight cancer cells and when you have an auto immune disease, your body cannot fight those cancer cells as well as someone without an auto immune disease. It was kind of like which came first the chicken or the egg? He confirmed that my other health conditions definitely increase my odds of getting MM. So for those that are not suffering from other chronic illnesses, you should be OK. He told me not to worry that he is watching me very closely and will be doing many blood tests going forward. He’s a wonderful doctor and extremely caring human being. I feel blessed to have him as my doctor. I also saw my PCP Who is also wonderful, wonderful and extremely caring. (Aren’t I so lucky). After reviewing the cancer test, the first thing he said was we need to find you a new hematologist. He wasn’t happy with the once a year blood check and said he would also be keeping a close eye on me and my other conditions. I feel so much better, I have at least two wonderful doctors who care enough to go beyond their own scope of work to make sure everything is being done to help me. I trust both of them like family. Sorry this is so long, but I Really needed to get it off my chest. Thank you all for listening.

I am not familiar with Chip

hi, I am not really understanding Chip either. It’s similar to MGS because they are both cancer markers. hematologist also told me they are completely unrelated to one another MGUS and chip. Hematologist said it is rare to see A person with both MGUS and chip. Maybe someone on the site knows more about it and Can shed some light

@mattymatilda and @amyboylan1, CHIP stands for clonal hematopoiesis of indeterminate potential (CHIP). In plain language, clonal hematopoiesis is age related. In some people, the blood (hematopoietic) stem cells start making cells with a genetic mutation (error) that make them divide more rapidly than normal. Most people don't have symptoms and never even know they have this mutation. CHIP can lead to blood cancers, especially myelodysplastic syndrome and acute myeloid leukemia. This is rare, however, and most people with CH never get blood cancer. Read more https://www.mskcc.org/cancer-care/types/leukemias/risk-factors/clonal-hematopoiesis-ch

And in more medical terms, you can learn more in this scientific paper:
- MGUS and Chip: Two Faces, but Not of the Same Medal https://ashpublications.org/blood/article/138/Supplement%201/3800/482588/MGUS-and-Chip-Two-Faces-but-Not-of-the-Same-Medal

Thanks so much for your explanation. Appreciate it.

I just turned 59. I didn’t realize that was considered elderly! Wishful thinking on my part! 😊

@mattymatilda
Not old just aged to perfection!

Hello everyone,

I just wanted to check back in and let everyone know that I had another bone marrow biopsy a few months ago and am now diagnosed with multiple myeloma. The most notable symptom was the fatigue. It's indescribable so you'll notice it. I just kept thinking I was tired. Some of you know I had a difficult time getting this far to a diagnosis. I would recommend that you be your own Advocate and insist on getting your questions answered. Also, although no one wants one, the bone marrow biopsy can be the one test that lets your doctor know what's going on and it cuts down on the guessing that some doctors do when they don't know.
The last thing I've learned is Oncologists would rather say anything to you other than -- you have cancer. But their humanity makes it extremely difficult for them to say those words to one of their patients. Even if you're just doing a consult with another hematologist oncologist.
I'm in excellent hands now, with a wonderful doctor that specializes in MM. Let me know if you have any questions. I'm happy to try and help if I can as far as my experience. Sorry for the typos and grammar.

@mattymatilda Thank you for the update. I bet you have a lot of questions as far as where your journey will go from there. Be sure to checkout discussions for multiple myeloma within this blood cancers support group!

So glad you have a hematologist oncologist who specializes in mm. What treatment plan do they have set up for you?
Ginger