Rheumatoid Arthritis and Mgus

[ageddancer]

Does anyone have rheumatoid arthritis and Mgus.....would like to know how both re act?

Both ESR and CRP are high and have been for some time but I am ok but was told 5 months ago I had some lung disease and am still waiting for an urgent Respiratory appointment and at the same time was told I had Mgus (abnormality in the blood). I have just carried out the blood tests for haematology at the hospital and will receive a phone call next week with "what what, or whats next". Just wondered if anyone on this wonderful site experienced the same thing. Used MTX for years. Its a soggy day today but a hug for you all.

[summer32A]

Mgus my mum had this and my friends motherIt's more common I think in people over 70 it is monitored by blood tests etc every three months.

Sometimes it can progress over time to multiple myeloma

[ageddancer in reply to summer32A]

Thank you so much for your reply. Waiting for a phone call this week about the three month blood test results.

Did your Mum have rheumatoid as well? 🙂

[summer32A in reply to ageddancer]

I think probably but my rheumatologist was dismissive with me re mum's poor bent swollen hands (she came with Me to one of my appointments she said oh osteoarthritis Mr my mum dad and brother all have arthritis of the spineI suffer with hands and feet too

[ageddancer in reply to summer32A]

Thank you for your reply, sorry for your Mum. Be glad when I get the phone call this week (one way or another), have a good weekend.

[humorous]

I have RA and before being prescribed biologics my Rheumatology Consultant referred me to Haematology for a more comprehensive blood test. The Haematology Consultant told me I had MGUS and said it was nothing to worry about and that the majority of people do not develop cancer. He gave me a booklet which was very helpful - macmillan.org.uk/cancer-inf... - click on MGUS in the search

Hope this helps.

[ageddancer in reply to humorous]

Thank you for that information. I should receive a phone call this coming Wednesday with the first of the three month blood tests... I am obviously concerned but another kind person has given me the most important 4 questions to get an answer for so I know where I stand.

Thank you again, hugs🙂

[phebamom]

My oncologist told me that in over 26 years he has only ever had one patient go from MGUS to full blown Multiple Myeloma. I have Giant Cell Arteritis, Polymyalgia Rheumatica. I also have MGUS. MGUS can make it difficult to use the SED blood test as a marker for illness activity. The test is done by seeing how long the cells settle in a test tube. The higher the number the longer the time it takes to settle the cells. The mono-clonal protein in your blood from MGUS increases the time it takes for the cells to settle in the tube. So MGUS skews the test results. It can cause a mild increase in inflammation, more in some people than in others, but not the high numbers we usually see with my illness and with RA. But, it does make the SED read higher than it truly is, making it difficult for a physician to use the SED rate as a marker of illness activity. Hope I explained that properly. Right now I am seeing a kidney specialist, trying to get blood pressure down so I can do a kidney biopsy. One theory on my rapid kidney decline is that the MGUS mono clonal protein is "stuck" in my kidney. I am 68, and both MGUS, RA and all the other auto-immune diseases totally bite.

[ageddancer in reply to phebamom]

Thank you for your most interesting reply. My SED rate is still very high but the RA is well controlled so your comment makes good sense. I have just given the blood test and expect the Consultant to phone me next week. Just putting in behind me and getting on with doing "things". Thank you