MGUS diet: Any tips on food to enjoy or prevent progression?

Hello @deryl50 welcome to conversations about MGUS. Dr. Kyle told a group at a myeloma conference that not everyone who has MGUS gets myeloma, but every person with myeloma had MGUS. That has stuck with me all these years, and I hope it brings you hope.

Like @colleenyoung said, there isn’t a clear causality for it. There is however some understanding of it, I don’t believe knowing what I do, that the covid vaccine could have caused it, even if it could, there has not been enough time since it’s inception. As for the A Fib meds, I am not going to be able to say if they played a small a part or not, but it would require more than that in term of hits.

The truth is, there is tens of thousands of people living with MGUS, and none of them know exactly why for positive. I do believe that finding a way to move forward with it, and educating yourself in ways to keep your body strong so that you can maintain your quality of life is important.

Before I add the link, with a pretty good amount of information in a booklet from the International Myeloma Foundation. I would love if you could share more about yourself, the things I am asking can be risk factors. Profession? Age? Military status?

Hello Deryl,
Given that MGUS is usually present for many years before it is discovered, it is unlikely the vaccine contributed in any way to a recently diagnosed case. I found the following article helpful.

"Incidence of Monoclonal Gammopathy of Undetermined Significance and Estimation of Duration Before First Clinical Recognition", Terry M. Themeau, et al. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22883742/

After 6 cycles, Stem cell are scheduled to harvest 12/19. Chemo big dose is scheduled for the first week in January.

There are MGUS patients that report an increase in their M spike post vaccine. I think your scenario for MGUS post vaccine could be possible - but also impossible to determine without doing MGUS screening pre and post vaccine - so no way to confirm the theory.

Wyom, I think you might wish to join this discussion if you haven’t been following it already:
- My Bone Marrow Transplant (BMT/SCT) story: Will you share yours? https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/my-bone-marrow-transplant-bmt-story-will-you-share-yours/

I was recently diagnosed with MGUS. Was found looking for something else. Trying to get as much info I can. Certainly interested on any special diet for this.

Welcome @red7. It can be confusing to get a new diagnosis. You must have many questions and you gather information. Allow me to tag fellow MGUS members like @gingerw @sstillwell @auntieoakley @cctoo @dazlin @momofthree1 @susangs

While we wait for others to chime in, you might be interested in reviewing this older discussion:
- MGUS https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/mgus-2d464e/

Red, may I ask how you were diagnosed? What questions do you have?

Colleen
In mid 2020 I questioned my primary physician about why I had bubbles in my urine. After seeing a urologist with no results I was then recommended to see a nephrologist as I had high protein in my urine. The nephrologist then sent me to a hematologist as he suspected multiple myeloma. Hematologist then sent me for complete body X-ray then a bone marrow biopsy then a PET scan. This occurred during most of 2020 into 2021. Diagnosis is MGUS but only after getting a second opinion from another hematologist. I am at low risk for MM so it’s watch and blood tests every six months.


Because my husband was already fully into advanced myeloma before he was diagnosed, I am not as educated as others here on MGUS. What I will mention about diet is highly processed foods, especially those full of corn. Much of the corn in highly processed foods is sprayed with herbicides. Herbicides have an association with myeloma.
The other thing I would mention is vitamin D for your bones. Keeping your bones healthy and your kidneys healthy are paramount if you do get myeloma. Many, many people never get myeloma but if you do, you want to start with healthy bones and healthy kidneys. The great doctors at Mayo told husband to take calcium with D, and walk because it is the single best exercise for your bones, and hydrate, hydrate, hydrate.
I found the comment you made that you were low risk of becoming myeloma interesting. When husband was diagnosed in 2010, we attended a weekend workshop and it was explained at that time, they were not sure why some people changed and some didn’t. I love that they can stratify that now.
May I ask if you were in the military or had any of the typical exposures that might have put you at risk?

Was not in the military. I am on calcium and vitamin D as you noted. I do not eat processed food and watch sodium intake as recommended by the nephrologist. I see him every three months now. Nephrologist also has me controlling my fluid intake. I monitor fluid intake daily per his recommendation. He believes bubbles in my urine was due to uncontrolled HBP which began in 2020 after my hysterectomy. Now with better medications for HBP my HBP is controlled and as of august if this year no more bubbles in urine and protein in urine much lower. Both the nephrologist and the hematologist said this has nothing to do with the MGUS diagnosis. Also I do aqua size classes twice a week and water walk once a week. Also walk at lest half mile or a mile a day depending on weather. I’m 76 years old and pretty active.