Does anyone else have MGUS?

Posted by mjlandin @mjlandin, Jun 4, 2022

I was diagnosed with MGUS last October and although I've done a lot of research, I feel there's still so much I don't know. Does anyone else have MGUS?

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@harley23

Thank you for your response. Have you seen a neurologist? I ask because of your description of "dropping things". My RLS and leg cramps respond to magnesium. I'll take 200mg for a day or 2 which seems to help. It's so difficult finding any info on "wooziness" as usually all that I can find is "dizziness". If my ear-nose-throat doc rules out any ear issue as the cause, then I am pretty convinced it's from the MGUS, although my nurse prac for my hematologist/oncologist says it isn't. Now my stamina has gone south too. I'm starting to be very depressed as it looks like these symptoms have no known cause, hence no known cure. I'm 75 and have always been very social and active, so this is a real blow. I live alone and recently had to euthanize my precious cat, Harley. I won't get any more pets as I can never go through euthanizing a beloved pet again. I'm finding this website very helpful as support. Prayers going out for you.

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Thx for your post. I am not able to take magnesium or mag glycerin-bad gastric problems. My Dr says neurology is next and that may be the problem given my back problems. You are so right about having this forum!

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@roseyd

I have experienced the same issues for the last 4-5 months.I was dx with MGUS in October 2021 following back surgery. I am lately experiencing weakness, shakiness that comes on quickly.I thought it was my blood sugar as I’m pre-diabetic but my primary tested my A 1C and it was improving since my last one. I am also dropping things, plate, coffee cup, even a half gal milk. I have really bad leg cramps at nite (RSL) that we are trying to get under control and was thinking my lack of sleep might be causing my weakness. I’m even using a cane on walks “just in case”. I hate not knowing what’s going on.

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I fell backward last month and busted my head open. There was a snake in the wreath in my door, previously occupied by fledgling house finch. I was surprised to see five feet of rat snake, six inches from my nose when I opened the door.
I slammed the door and took a step or two backward, losing my balance and falling on my bionic hip. My head flung back and hit the molding around the opening to my dining room.
Head wounds bleed profusely so it looked like a crime scene, the sight of which nearly gave by husband a heart attack.
Fortunately, my head is hard and I was stitched up at the urgent care with no other injuries.
Anyway…
I do not feel confidence in my balance which does impact my level of activity. This has a domino effect as lack of exercise impacts muscle mass and surely increases my wobbliness. Catch 22.
And to add insult to injury, now I will have to say yes when the medical people ask about falls.

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@pmm

I fell backward last month and busted my head open. There was a snake in the wreath in my door, previously occupied by fledgling house finch. I was surprised to see five feet of rat snake, six inches from my nose when I opened the door.
I slammed the door and took a step or two backward, losing my balance and falling on my bionic hip. My head flung back and hit the molding around the opening to my dining room.
Head wounds bleed profusely so it looked like a crime scene, the sight of which nearly gave by husband a heart attack.
Fortunately, my head is hard and I was stitched up at the urgent care with no other injuries.
Anyway…
I do not feel confidence in my balance which does impact my level of activity. This has a domino effect as lack of exercise impacts muscle mass and surely increases my wobbliness. Catch 22.
And to add insult to injury, now I will have to say yes when the medical people ask about falls.

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My nemesis.

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@pmm

I fell backward last month and busted my head open. There was a snake in the wreath in my door, previously occupied by fledgling house finch. I was surprised to see five feet of rat snake, six inches from my nose when I opened the door.
I slammed the door and took a step or two backward, losing my balance and falling on my bionic hip. My head flung back and hit the molding around the opening to my dining room.
Head wounds bleed profusely so it looked like a crime scene, the sight of which nearly gave by husband a heart attack.
Fortunately, my head is hard and I was stitched up at the urgent care with no other injuries.
Anyway…
I do not feel confidence in my balance which does impact my level of activity. This has a domino effect as lack of exercise impacts muscle mass and surely increases my wobbliness. Catch 22.
And to add insult to injury, now I will have to say yes when the medical people ask about falls.

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Oh, dear @pmm, that is nothing to sneeze at! When you tell medical about your fall, remember to include it was a reaction to a snake in your face, not just a "simple" balance issue!

I use a cane more and more, not trusting any surface my left foot lands on. Seeing that I cannot feel anything with that foot, I am always watching the ground, but even little changes can make me jumpy. Fortunately the neuropathy is only in my left leg/foot!
Ginger

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@gingerw

Oh, dear @pmm, that is nothing to sneeze at! When you tell medical about your fall, remember to include it was a reaction to a snake in your face, not just a "simple" balance issue!

I use a cane more and more, not trusting any surface my left foot lands on. Seeing that I cannot feel anything with that foot, I am always watching the ground, but even little changes can make me jumpy. Fortunately the neuropathy is only in my left leg/foot!
Ginger

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Is that unusual to only have neuropathy in 1 foot?
I’m starting to get a little tingling in my hands as well.
🥺

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@pmm

I fell backward last month and busted my head open. There was a snake in the wreath in my door, previously occupied by fledgling house finch. I was surprised to see five feet of rat snake, six inches from my nose when I opened the door.
I slammed the door and took a step or two backward, losing my balance and falling on my bionic hip. My head flung back and hit the molding around the opening to my dining room.
Head wounds bleed profusely so it looked like a crime scene, the sight of which nearly gave by husband a heart attack.
Fortunately, my head is hard and I was stitched up at the urgent care with no other injuries.
Anyway…
I do not feel confidence in my balance which does impact my level of activity. This has a domino effect as lack of exercise impacts muscle mass and surely increases my wobbliness. Catch 22.
And to add insult to injury, now I will have to say yes when the medical people ask about falls.

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I about fell off my chair looking at that snake! I don’t mind snakes but holy crow, having one appear out of the wreath on the door like that??? I’m sure the health of my heart would have gone through some testing right there! Yikes.

I’m sorry you hit your head. That’s awful and frightening when you see all that blood. As for the neuropathy, I’m wondering if the impact didn’t jar your neck muscles to be causing the tingling in your fingers. I was having issues with my fingers going numb for the past few months after an exercise I tried impacted an area that’s sensitive where I had spinal cord damage a few years ago. After confirming with an MRI that my spinal issue hadn’t returned, I was cleared to see my massage therapist. Within 2 sessions all of my numbness had gone away. There can be some impingement of nerves when there’s a sudden jarring of the head/neck. Think whiplash. So you might benefit from a professional licensed massage therapist. If they specialize in myofacia release, even better. But it might be worth a shot. If nothing else, you’ll eel better. ☺️

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@harley23

I have MGUS too and have a question about your dizziness. Is it a feeling of the room spinning or a feeling like you're drunk? I've had dizziness, but the feeling I have when I stand or sit is like I'm drunk. It has slowly worsened over the past year, and I have seen many different specialists trying to figure it out. I can't get into my ENT until the end of August. I was diagnosed with MGUS in July 2022, and my bloodwork is stable. I've had vertigo (dizziness), but this is different and goes away when I lie down. I too have lost my stamina, so recently purchased a stationary bike to try to get some exercise. I sometimes stagger, so don't feel safe going outside to walk.

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Have you checked your blood pressure. Sometimes when your blood pressure is low it can cause this type of problem.
Gina5009

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All the tingling in my fingers is not a result of the fall, because I had that before. The orthopedic foot surgeon who said that there was nothing he could do to help my feet prescribed gabapentin. It was very shortly after I started taking that that I had tingling in my fingers. I consulted With Dr. Google (do as I say, not as I do 😂😂) and found that there was a study that linked finger tingling with gabapentin. I called my PCP who said I could DC it which I did. The tingling remains however. These are some good ideas though. My blood pressure is fine.

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@pmm

I fell backward last month and busted my head open. There was a snake in the wreath in my door, previously occupied by fledgling house finch. I was surprised to see five feet of rat snake, six inches from my nose when I opened the door.
I slammed the door and took a step or two backward, losing my balance and falling on my bionic hip. My head flung back and hit the molding around the opening to my dining room.
Head wounds bleed profusely so it looked like a crime scene, the sight of which nearly gave by husband a heart attack.
Fortunately, my head is hard and I was stitched up at the urgent care with no other injuries.
Anyway…
I do not feel confidence in my balance which does impact my level of activity. This has a domino effect as lack of exercise impacts muscle mass and surely increases my wobbliness. Catch 22.
And to add insult to injury, now I will have to say yes when the medical people ask about falls.

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OMG! I would have had a heart attack with that snake scene!! They're all giant anacondas as far as I'm concerned! I'm glad you didn't get a concussion or dislodge your hip. I totally understand how lack of being able to safely exercise is an issue. I recently went on my Nextdoor website and bought a small, used stationary bike. No bells and whistles. It gets me out of my recliner, and I can watch TV as I exercise. I. Hate. Exercise. Always have. So I'm starting out very slowly. I don't want to dread it, because I know then I'll stop using it. Hang in there.

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Had MGUS for 15 years. Five years ago became multiple myeloma.

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