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Does anyone know of bruising as a progressing symptom of mgus to MM?

Posted by jzeee @jzeee, Aug 17 8:20am

I am 42, diagnosed with Mgus IgA 2 years ago. My numbers are just below shouldering myeloma and now being followed every 6 months at Emory. I just had random bruising appear on my upper arms on both sides and they were noticed by others asking about them. I don’t really do anything that would warrant bruising and curious if this is something I should send to my doctor. Just got my new numbers a month ago and they were pretty steady (small increase). I’ve had no bone pain, some fatigue (a nap most days if possible). Thanks for all of your sharing your stories, grateful for you as a man in my 40s on the mgus journey. Thanks friends!

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Mentor
Ginger, Volunteer Mentor | @gingerw | Aug 20 11:29am
In reply to @1oldsoul "Great article @gingerw. I am three years into my MGUS journey and hadn’t read that one...." + (show)
@1oldsoul

Great article @gingerw. I am three years into my MGUS journey and hadn’t read that one. I’m not sure if you and others here have experienced the following. Do most of the hematologists out there continue to state there should be no symptoms with MGUS? The two I have had (I asked to be transferred to one closer to my home) tell me the above. And yet when I have read so many comments over the years in this forum it seems so many are experiencing symptoms. For me, it it always the unknown that is most difficult to accept. If you have an illness/pain/symptom and have a name and diagnosis, you can move forward with treatment and a game plan or at least acceptance When you are told that MGUS does not cause symptoms, it becomes a never ending list of other doctor/specialist appointments trying to figure out what is causing the symptom. Then, if all the other specialists tell you they could not find anything wrong, you are left with the feeling that it must be the MGUS.

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@1oldsoul In my experience, I have other health issues occurring at the same time. What to attribute to which concerns? There isn't a hard-and-fast rule book, in my humble opinion. Not all hematologists are well-versed in MGUS/SMM /MM and may not be aware of the subtle signs we patients may see.

MGUS is basically a condition that takes monitoring on a regular basis. As our bodies deal with it, our general health does also, and it might manifest in small ways. Sometimes the only way we see the changes is by looking backwards at things, it can be that unnoticeable. MGUS does not mean it will automatically morph into smoldering myeloma, and you could go many years with no further issues, no further advancement. This is the general consensus.
Ginger

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singularity | @singularity | Aug 20 3:36pm

I do have easy bruising and MGUS but I don;t think these are related. I also have Rivaroxaban, which is a "blood thinner" - anti-coagulant. as do many in my advanced age group.
Check out whether age and anti-coagulant may also apply to you.

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