Good Bones
Thursday, May 1, 2014    Pomalyst Study Cycle 80:

IgG was higher today that it has been for years, though only slightly. Last month IgG was 1270 mg/dL, now 1340 this month. However, M-Spike was 1.1 g/dL last month, down to 1.0 this month. 1.0 is right in the middle of the range of M-Spike for the last five years or so. So what are we to to believe? Both of those changes are probably within the accuracy limits of the test, so let's call it a draw, my myeloma is still stable. For whatever it's worth, the Lambda and Kappa light chains didn't change too much either

I'm happy for another month, Pomalyst is still doing its job, 2 mg every night as a single agent. Six years and two months on that study, I love that little pill.

A month ago (end of cycle 79) we did a DEXA test, to assess bone density in the spine and hip. Bottom line: I have some osteopenia, though not osteoporosis. However, the actual bone density has not changed significantly (within the measurement error of the machine) since 2010. That's good. I do take Vitamins D3 and K2 every day, which may help. If you do this, though, please be aware that Vitamin K (full-spectrum, not K2) can affect clotting factors, which in turn could cause DVT's, heart attacks, and strokes. I use only K2, and I have also had clotting factors checked.

This month Dr. YLH and I discussed two issues:

• The backache that appeared during the Nashville Marathon. Dr YLH ordered an x-ray, which disclosed no myeloma lesions. All bones OK. Therefore, the problem must be muscular, and I can fix that, though maybe not in time for the next marathon. UPDATE May 12: No problem in that next marathon, Fargo, on May 10.
• A heart rate (pulse rate) of 38 on the electrocardiogram and again in the office while taking blood pressure. My HR is usually in the low 40's, typically 43, normal for me as a runner, so this is not a big departure. However it does seem to be a change, if only slight, so Dr YLH asked me to keep track of my HR for a month and I'm doing that.

Most-Recent Test Results:

Test		Feb 06		Mar 06		Apr 03		May 01		Remarks
M-spike g/dL		0.9		1.1		1.1		1.0		\ Tumor marker
IgG mg/dL		1260		1300		1270		1340		/ Tumor marker
Lambda mg/dL		2.70		3.51		3.26		3.38		L free light chains
Kappa mg/dL		1.03		1.29		1.37		1.39		K free light chains
Ratio 0.26-1.65		0.28		0.37		0.42		0.41		Kappa / Lambda
Calcium mg/dL		9.5		9.3		9.7		9.9		OK
Creatinine mg/dL		1.3		1.0		1.2		1.1		Kidney, OK
HGB g/dL		15.3		14.8		15.2		14.8		Hemoglobin, fine
RBC M/uL		4.54		4.33		4.41		4.17		Red cells, OK
WBC K/uL		4.3		4.4		4.3		3.8		White cells, OK
ANC K/uL		3.1		1.9		1.9		1.9		Neutrophils, OK

Related Links:

My Myeloma		A discussion of my myeloma, not very technical.
My Treatment History		Not technical.
My Test Charts		Graphic displays of several key test results over time.
My Test Result Table		Somewhat technical. Best with a wide browser window.
My Supplement Regimen		With links to where I buy them.