Is the SED rate always elevated in multiple myeloma patients?
153086
I assume you mean Erythrocyte sedimentation rate.\n\nThe erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), also called a sedimentation rate, sed rate or Biernacki Reaction, is a non-specific measure of inflammation that is commonly used as a medical screening test.\n\nTo perform the test, anticoagulated blood is placed in an upright tube and the rate at which the red blood cells fall is measured and reported in mm/h.\n\nWhen an inflammatory process is present, the high proportion of fibrinogen in the blood causes red blood cells to stick to each other. The red cells form stacks called rouleaux which settle faster.\n\nFibrin is made from its zymogen fibrinogen, a soluble plasma glycoprotein that is synthesised by the liver. Processes in the coagulation cascade activate the zymogen prothrombin to the serine protease thrombin, which is responsible for converting fibrinogen into fibrin. Fibrin is then cross linked by factor XIII to form a clot.\n\nFibrin generation\nFibrinogen is a 340-KD glycoprotein synthesised in the liver hepatocytes and megakaryocytes. Dysfunction or disease of the liver can lead to a decrease in fibrinogen production or the production of abnormal fibrinogen molecules with reduced activity (dysfibrinogenaemia). Hereditary abnormalities of fibrinogen (the gene is carried on chromosome 4) are of both quantitative and qualitative in nature and include; afibrinogenaemia, hypofibrinogenaemia, dysfibrinogenaemia, and hypodysfibrinogenaemia. \n\nSo if someone with any of these diseases that negatively affect the level of fibrinogen is present, the SED may not be increased beyond the normal range.\n\nAlso if they are on any kind of drug therapy that would increase levels of antithrombin or the effects of it (Heparin), the SED would be affected towards the slower rate.\n\nThere are also several types of anticoagulant therapy that would keep the SED rate lower.\n\nSo I would assume that NO it is not always elevated.\n\nI would ask a doctor though.
1017412
yes because it triggers the asma. it is from post naisal drip
862152
Hi Sunny,\n\nDepends on the type of blood cancer\n\naccording to the Leukemia and Lymphoma foundation, 2005 fact booklet (very good booklet for overview):\n\n5 year survival rates (ave - 1995 to 2001, figure 1, page 1) -\n\nLeukemia:  48%\nNon Hodgkins Lymphoma: 60%\nHodgkins Lymphoma: 85%\nMyeloma: 32%\n\nGood luck,\n\nJewells\n32 months and still here
233124
YES IT IS! I WAS VERY SICK RIGHT BEFORE X-MAS. I HAD THIS BAD RASH THAT I COULD NOT GET RID OF. I HAD A BLOOD TEST DONE AND MY TRIGLYCERIDES LEVEL WAS OVER 8000. ( SHOCKING I KNOW !!!)  THAT RASH WAS FROM THE TRIGLYCERIDES TRYING TO COME OUT OF MY SKIN. THERE WAS NOWHERE FOR THEM TO GO ANYMORE!  IT WAS SUCH A RARE THING FOR THE DR'S TO SEE THEY TOOK PICS OF IT AND WILL BE PUT INTO A MED BOOK. I WAS GOING INTO PANCREATIC FAILURE! IT'S SOMETHING SOOO VERY SERIOUS . IF YOUR LEVELS ARE THAT HIGH PLEASE MAKE SURE YOU DO WHATEVER YOUR DR TELLS YOU TO DO . I MYSELF WENT ON INSULIN . I WAS SO VERY CLOSE TO HAVING A STROKE . IF YOU WANT TO TALK MORE ABOUT THIS OR JUST NEED SOME SUPPORT .. ADD ME TO YOUR MESSENGER :) TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF !
637466
Miike,\n\nReally technical question,  one reference :\n\nhttp://www.cellculture.com/turbosystem.html\n\nlooks like they use both SP2 and the P3 lines to increase longevity.\n\nIf you are doing research at University or at non profit,  I would pose the question to the IMF / MMRF science committee and ask them: \n\nThey could possibly give you some case history for myeloma cell lines and which ones produce best with B cells  \n\n\nGood luck,\n\nJewells\n27 months and still here
44127
My Dad had this. I think it depends on if other areas/organs are involved & how involved.  I hope the person who you are inquiring about will be okay. Originally that had told my Dad 2-15 years but it depends on many things.  Have you looked into the steroid treatments? You can look up the American Cancer Society online and see if there are any clinical trials of different things in your area.  Good Luck to you and yours.  God Bless.
1136774
not arthritis, possibly many things of which sarcoidosis is one. Does he smoke? possibly pneumonia? Has he had a chest x-ray or CT scan?  39 is not a terribly high sed rate and until you have more diagnostic info then you won't know what the problem is. See a good internist for further testing and find out if he needs a referral to a pulmonologist.
895185
I am not a doctor, but know somebody with lung cancer, he told me that before being diagnosed: he noticed how one of his eyes seemed lower than the other, constipation, hoarseness, and sweating at night on one side of his back only.\nThe best to do, will be to go see a Doctor, good luck.
424230
It is a type of cancer that begins in plasma cells (white blood cells that produce antibodies). It is also referred to as multiple myeloma, myelomatosis, or plasma cell myeloma. Its prognosis despite therapy is generally poor, and treatment may involve chemotherapy and stem cell transplant. You can read more info about it here\nhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Multiple_myeloma
1088342
I spent the last year going through chemotherapy for Hodgkin's Disease.  Every chemo treats your body differently.  My first 12 rounds of chemo where ABVD (a pretty standard treatment for Hodgkin's)  When I stopped responding, I was put onto a salvage chemo of Navelbine, Doxil and Gemzar.  Three doses put me into remission.  I then went into the hospital for high dose chemotherapy (a combination of BCLU, Etoposide, Arc-C and Cytoxin) and a stem cell salvage.\n\nThe one thing all of my chemo's had in common is they dry out your skin, which did seem to keep all acne away.  Some people might criticize you for your question but you do make a good point.  Cancer patients want to find any positive thing they can about chemo and other treatments.  Hey, losing ten pounds is always nice.  Having acne clear up or not having to shave for six months is a plus during a time that's not always easy.
1079248
Hi,\n\nSorry to hear about the MM;  it broke up my marriage so hopefully the same will not happen to you.\n\nI am a little shocked he is so far along at 39;  "usuallly" we "young people with MM "  have lower progression.\n\nWhat is his outlook - SCT ?  Thal/Dex or Velcade?  Treatment should lower cell loading and he should get stronger.\n\n"both" of you could use some counsuling - to help get over the hard parts.  the mental game is REALLY hard;  so depression is there someplace;  to go from "alive and healthy" to "terminal cancer" is a really tough one to swollow.  Many people have told me "they understand" but truthfully, unless the doc give YOU that kind of news,  you really don't.  All you can do is work together to make it better till he gets better;  hopefully he will.\n\nYou really need to sit down and discuss what is going on;  that you, as "primary support person" have a lot on the plate and that, while you understand,  you need him to help as much as possible.  HE needs to be patient and work with oyou;  make him part of the support,  not just the person needing support.\n\nPart of the weekness is (probably) low HGB and the meds - see what you can do to keep him strong.  Docs should be albe to help and see if you can get some friends / relatives to give you a break;  even for a couple of hours a week.  You can't be superwomen forever;  ask for some help.\n\nAls, let him know, he NEEDS to keep up the strength as much as possible, for as long as possible.\n\nThere is a lot of help on the MM sites, even stuff for the caregivers.\n\nhttp://www.multiplemyeloma.org/\nhttp://www.myeloma.org/main.jsp\n\ngood luck,\n\nJewells\n28 months and still here
687904
Men under 50 years old: less than 15 mm/hr.\nMen over 50 years old: less than 20 mm/hr.\nWomen under 50 years old: less than 20 mm/hr.\nWomen over 50 years old: less than 30 mm/hr.\nDoctor’s do not base their decisions solely on ESR results. You can have a normal result and still have a problem. \nModerately elevated ESR occurs with inflammation, but also with anemia, infection, pregnancy, and old age. \nA very high ESR usually has an obvious cause, such as a marked increase in globulins that can be due to a severe infection. The doctor will use other follow-up tests, such as cultures, depending on the patient’s symptoms. Persons with multiple myeloma or Waldenstrom’s macroglobulinemia (tumors that make large amounts of immunoglobulins) typically have very high ESRs even if they don't have inflammation. Polymyalgia rheumatica and temporal arteritis may also have very high ESRs. A rising ESR can mean an increase in inflammation or a poor response to a therapy; a decreasing ESR can mean a good response. \nAlthough a low ESR is not usually important, it can be seen with polycythemia (a condition where a patient makes too many red blood cells), with extreme leukocytosis (patient has too many white blood cells), and with some protein abnormalities. Some changes in red cell shape (such as sickle cells in sickle cell anemia) also lower the ESR.
882345
Ditto with spyderman, CBC, Chem7, PT/INR, PTT, possible bleeding time, and if the doctor is smart, a current blood type on file.
234370
Sed Rate range differ depending on gender and age.  The best thing for you to do is talk to your doctor about your concerns. Wounds with mrsa that have closed are difficult to detect if the mrsa is gone.  I work in a facility and deal with mrsa from time to time. There are different types of mrsa. from the lungs to the urine. I asked one of our doctors about mrsa in the wound and how someone can tell if the mrsa is gone and she told me that there is no 100% way of knowing. Usually when the wound closes and the patient has been treated properly with antibiotic (usually vancomycin) it is considered to be treated. If the wound heals with no signs and symptoms of infection (no swelling or redness) then there is no infection.  She also told me that everyone has a small amount of mrsa in the body. It is the level of mrsa that the person needs treated.  If his red blood cell count is low and iron is down it might be good to have him on an iron deficiency otc med. He might be anemic.  The best advice I can give you is ask your family physician and also your surgical doctor of your concerns. This is also why they get paid.  I hope I helped you in some way.
55217
No, in fact, increased ejaculation (through masturbating or sex) decreases the risk of prostate cancer.  Read about it here: http://www.newscientist.com/article.ns?id=dn4861
1043396
yeah, if i remember right (its been awhile sorry if im wrong) its usually a sign of a liver problem (often steatosis/"fatty liver", cirrhosis, cancer, etc.) but can be from bone problems too. also, some drugs can alter ALP levels and if that's why yours is elevated then its probably not anything to worry about. its actually called "alkaline phosphatase" or "ALP" if you were having trouble finding stuff about it in searches. it can mean a lot of different things so youd have to discuss it with your doctor as to what the problem is and if it is something significant or nothing important.\n\nand in response to the other guy's answer, you probably dont have HIV... that might alter levels but that's not anywhere near the top of the list of likely causes.... a lot of thing can affect ALP.\n\nlike I said, hard to tell if its anything that should concern you or not, youd have to see what your doc thinks about it
642601
Hi,\n\nyou have brought up an "complicated" questions - pretty par with MM diagnosis.\n\nFirst question is:  how you doing?  I worry more about P.N. from  the Thal/Dex than Osteo from the infusion\n\nThere are a bunch of studies on Ostenecrosis going on at present.  The susceptibility to this is caused by the Zometa infusion.\n\n  Best way to avoid problem with Zometa (lots of other side effects) is to make sure you have long infusion times with plenty of hydration before and after \n\nMost important is VERY good dental support. \n\n Make sure your dentist has all the information and the studies - i make copies and give them to him every time I go in.  \n\nThere is a lot more information on this and the studies at the IMF website:   myeloma.org.  And you can call their hot line for more information (on the site)\n\nThis question has been going around the MMA support web group and the ACOR list too.  So check there for more information; some of our members are in studies around the question and could give you some "front line answers".\n\ngood luck\n\nJewells of AA\n27 month survivor and going strong