I have been a diabetic since 2009 but never had to take anything for it. However in November 2019 I started having pain in my back. After an MRI we found I had a fractured vertebra and we fixed it. However the pain did not go away. After further investigation of the MRI we found I had a bulging disk and I received shots to reduce the pain. The shots worked and my pain went away. Then in April of 2020 I had my regular A1C blood draw and my primary care doctor said everything was good. But I noticed that the test for paraprotine was out of speck I asked the doctor if it was a concern. He said he was going to get another blood draw and then he sent it to Dr Crane who told me to come see him. We did a number of tests and sure enough he told me I had multiple myeloma cancer and we had to do a bone marrow test to confirm that his diagnosis was correct. It proved that he was correct and we we able to tie it to my tour of duty in Vietnam in November 1967 and November 1968. My M spike number was 3.75 we began treatment using Rx Revelimad and valcade. It took over 5 months to take my M spike number from 3.75 to 0.28 and I was considered in controlled treatment stage. I have been taking Revelimad since three days a week and my blood test are now showing not detected. It's been not detected now for 5 months in a row. We just did another MRI and found that I have two more fractured vertebra but I have zero,/no pain so we are not going to fix yet. I am able to swing a golf club and I play 18 holes twice a week as long as the weather is agreeable. My only issue is fatigue and I have it daily and we believe it's from the Revelimad Rx. But God has blessed me and I am happy.

Hi Loracia, bone pains can be one of the accompaniments to Multiple Myeloma. People suffering from constant bone pains and going to their doctor for diagnosis can have their condition uncovered if the doctor orders certain blood tests. No one goes to their doctor and says they think they have Multiple Myeloma, it's uncovered when blood tests are done for other complaints. I would suggest getting an appointment with your General Practitioner as soon as possible and telling her/him your concerns. There is excellent information on this site and on Myeloma.Org regarding tests used to diagnosis (and keep track the stage) of Multiple Myeloma. The best to you and your husband.

Rick

Hello Cindy, I was diagnosed because of a blood test of the parapretine line taking for my A1C diabetic blood draw. I noticed it was really high and after my primary care doctor said all is good in relation to my A1C test I asked him about the parapretine results because it was extremely high. He ordered another blood draw and sent it to a cancer doctor and referred me to this doctor. After visiting Dr Crane he told me I had multiple myeloma cancer in confirmed it via a bone marrow test. Because I spent a year in Vietnam in November 1967 to November 1968 and I was an infantryman and in areas where Agent Orange was used he sent all my test results to the VA and they approved me for 100% disability. I used Dr Crane and not the VA hospital or doctor's for treatment. I did however visit the VA hospital and cancer doctor to discuss my concerns. The VA doctor said to stay with Dr Crane because he treatment plan was working. It took 5 months of treatment Rx Revelimad and valcade to reduce my M spike number from 3.75 to 0.28. When I reached the 0.28 Dr Crane said I had reached the controlled treatment stage and we changed our plan. I am taking only Rx Revelimad three days a week and have been for several months. My last 5 months on my blood draw shows not detected. My only issue is fatigue and I try to control that if I can. I do try to stay active and I play golf twice a week weather permitting. I live in Ohio near Cincinnati and sometimes the weather and temperatures are okay 👍 so I play golf. I am single separated from spouse since January 2021 and days get lonely. But all my 4 children and spouses and 10 of the 11 grandchildren live with 45 minutes of me. My X wife lives in Michigan about 350 miles away. But God has blessed me and I try to stay happy and as positive as possible. Amen and Amen 🙏.

In what way did they tie your illness to Vietnam?