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Is there anything to help stop or slow progression of MGUS?
I am wondering if there is anything anyone is doing to stop or slow the progression of MGUS. I m recently diagnosed and have a lot to learn. My oncologist said there is nothing that can be done. Also could some of you share how long you have had MGUS. I am like I’m sure like all of you very concerned about my MGUS processing. Thank you.
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Good morning, I have had the diagnosis for four years. I am a 75-year-old caucasian male. I have the Lamda variety of monoclonal antibodies, so I do have some peripheral neuropathy in my feet. My initial M-Spike was only .8. Free light chains and ratio were not too bad.
With no other symptoms or medical issues that could complicate things, and being in the low-risk category, my hematologist/oncologist put me in a wait-and-watch category, and I have blood labs every 4 months. He said I could go every 6 months, but I feel more comfortable with 4 months because my monocytes are a bit high.
I have studied medicine for 50 years as a serious hobby, and for the past 30 years, I have looked upon my health and treatments with a homeopathic or holistic approach, unless I needed an antibiotic or something was too severe for me to handle myself. So I read up on everything about MGUS. I saw common threads from those who had doctors or other medical advisors, looked at studies, etc.
I decided to go on a "Mediterranean Diet" immediately. No sugar, no processed foods, no fried foods, etc. No red meat. It was easy for me because I had been eating pretty healthy for years. My weight was very good. I also cut out other things that cause inflammation in the body and irritate the nerves (the peripheral neuropathy was pretty painful at first). So, I cut out caffeine and any added salt. I started doing exercises for my legs and feet to improve my circulation, I exercised daily as best I could, and meditated to keep my stress levels low.
Importantly, I researched the best most tested supplements for lowering inflammation, killing cancerous cells, and building the immune system. I take D3, **turmeric/curcumin, **Omega 3 Fish Oil gel caps, C, E, Alpha Lipoic Acid, PEA, garlic (natural form and gel pills), a good multi-vitamin-mineral pill, low dose iron, and 2-3 other things that are very powerful antioxidants. I get them on Amazon, so the monthly price is not bad.
While research is still ongoing, current evidence from many studies suggests that high sugar intake, particularly from added sugars in drinks like soda, can potentially increase the risk of developing MGUS (Monoclonal Gammopathy of Undetermined Significance) and other cancers by contributing to obesity, promoting inflammation, and potentially impacting insulin levels, which can fuel cancer cell growth. A balanced diet is crucial for overall health, including for those with MGUS or other cancers.
My peripheral neuropathy and my MGUS blood tests began to improve after 4 months. In the last four years, my peripheral neuropathy symptoms are 60-70% better, and my MGUS tests have consistently gotten lower or stayed stable. My recent tests showed only a .3 M-Spike and normal Free Light Chains ratio and my other bloodwork related to MGUS was either stable or lower.
I found for me, and others I have read about in several well-known studies, that MGUS has to be treated with a multi-disciplinary approach. Unless it is at the point where medical intervention is needed, diet, exercise, supplements, low stress, and daily exercise seem to help slow or even reverse progression. This has been studied with tens if not hundreds of thousands of people now for many years.
So that is my experience. My oncologist calls me "boring," and said if his patients with MGUS and other more serious cancers in their early stages in particular, would follow a diet and other things I am doing, they would be so much better off. It's simply healthy for everyone to ditch processed sugar and foods, fried/fast food, etc. But too many people simply want their sugar and their fast food, etc. They won't do what is needed to lose weight.
And that is certainly their choice. I decided I was not going to allow the MGUS to progress if I could avoid it. So far, all I have been doing has worked. I don't miss sugary food, fast food, red meat or any other of the highly inflammatory. foods. It's like when I quit smoking 40 years ago. After I quit I did not miss it at all and the smell of smoke bothered me.
So that's my story. Everyone is different, but one thing that cannot be denied and which is a proven fact is that inflammation is behind disease processes, and the less inflammation our bodies have in our cells and tissues and organs, the more likely we are to be healthy or healthier.
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2 ReactionsDid you get a second opinion from a hospital like MD Anderson or just another hematologist/oncologist in your area? If a hospital, did you do telemedicine or in person?
Mayo rejected me. Said I already had an oncologist.
I felt the same way but got a second opinion anyway
@loribmt
@gingerw
Lori and Ginger, I am hoping you have some insights after reading your very helpful thread on Second Opinions. Any thoughts on how I can find out what the standards are (IGM numbers) when it comes to when bone biopsies and full body scans become necessary? I would like to see if I can get a second opinion but is it going to offend my Hematologist?
I wonder why the different medical opinions as to when the IGM is high enough for concern and when to do the bone biopsy and scans? Has anyone else on the forum discussed this with their physician and what was the consensus? I would really rather not have 2 full body scans (radiation) and the bone biopsy at this point especially right before the holidays when we plan to go out of state so I may discuss holding off until the first of the year. What state is your doctor in? Have you been to Mayo or any other specialty clinics? I live in rural Arkansas and choices of hematologists are limited.
Praying for you
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1 ReactionGlad you’ve been stable for the past year. How much exercise are you doing?
I take MegaFood’s Turmeric and MSK pharmacist said it was similar to what they use in the trial. I would love to see food details also if someone has it. I’ve not gone vegan but plant-based which incorporates some fish and chicken, e.g. Mediterranean diet, and now exercise regularly. Have been stable for last year.
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1 ReactionForgot to include the pic of the Curcumin I have at home that I referenced in my post.
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